From the Cascades to the Columbia | Q1 2019
INSIDE: ■ Dog sledding in Cle Elum ■ Snowshoeing at Lake Easton ■ Meet the Ellensburg Ski Team K V LI V ING
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Dog sledding in the Upper County pg
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TABLE of
Guided snowshoe hikes near Lake Easton pg 4
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Ellensburg Ski School finds some snow pg
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AROUND THE
County
Spirit of the West The annual Spirit of the West cowboy gathering returns on its usual President’s Day weekend in Ellensburg, and features cowboy poetry along with music at various locations throughout the community. This year’s performers include Dave Stamey, Kristyn Harris, the HIgh Country Cowboys, Duane Nelson, Kathy Moss, Lynn Kopelke Carter Junction, Panhandle Cowboys, Andy Bales, Paul WIlson, Rockin’ HW, Scott Lambertsen, Lauralee Northcott, Mark Seely, Gone Filddling Again and more. A weekend pass is $90 for adults, $60 for seniors and active military and $30 for students. Indivdual performances are $35 fo radults, $25 for seniors and active military and $15 for students.
Roslyn Spittoon Races The infamous Roslyn Spittoon Races are right around the corner, so you better start building a sea-worthy vessel. The annual event is March 9, and pits homemade miniature boats against eachother, racing down the 23-foot long running water spittoon that sits below the bar at The Brick Saloon. The competition is divided up into four categories: wooden, paper/plastic, soap/wax and motorized/experimental. There’s an entry fee for each boat. 6
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LETTER FROM The
I
Editor
am not a winter person. I guess I do exist in winter, but usually only from the comfort of my warm home, my warm car and my warm office — if the heat at the Daily Record happens to be working. So when I ventured out into the Manastash Canyon to visit with the Ellensburg Ski Team and temperatures dropped another 10 degrees, my urge for a career change came on a little strong. But the coach Jeff Hashimoto pointed out that if I actually started skiing, I would warm up pretty quickly. I guess I’ll have to take his word for it. This issue of Kittitas Valley Living is filled with people a little bit more adventurous than I. Karl Holappa went up near Cle Elum to interview some folks participating in the Northwest Sled Dog Association Dogtown Derby. Club Member Larry Roxby details the relationships these people have with their dogs, and how the sport not only draws
nationally, but internationally as well. A team from Mexico that practices on wheels was invited up to take part in the competition. Our newest reporter Samira George went even further up into the mountains, to talk to the Washington State Parks Department about its guided snowshoe hikes at Lake Easton. I can’t speak for her, but I learned quite a few things, including the origins of Lake Easton, and how snowshoeing can get you a little bit deeper into the woods than you’d normally be able to venture. So if you’re like me, you might enjoy reading this issue from the comfort of your sofa positioned dangerously close to a baseboard heater while wrapped in an electric blanket. If you’re not like me, you might have some fun outdoors this winter. Happy reading,
Editor: Michael Gallagher Writers: Matt Carstens, Samira George, Karl Holappa Photos by: Jake Green, Samira George Designer: Matt Carstens Publication of the Daily Record 401 N. Main St. Ellensburg WA 98926 509-925-1414 To submit a story idea or upcoming event, email newsroom@kvnews.com. For information about advertising, email: advertising@kvnews.com. www.dailyrecordnews.com
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Symbiotic relationship
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Upper County draws dog sled racing competitors By Karl Holappa staff writer
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t a Christian camp north of Cle Elum, multiple teams woke up in December to compete on a national level. Teams from all over the country came to compete at the NWSDA Dogtown Derby at Camp Koinonia in Cle Elum. The Northwest Sled Dog Association is the sanctioning body for local competitions in the region. Club member
Photos by Jake Green
Larry Roxby said it began in the early 1970s and has grown to have approximately 1,000 members in the western United States and Canada. Roxby said there are many accomplished members of the association, including Laura Daugereau, the first Washington woman to compete in the Iditarod. Continued on page 10
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The association has developed a relationship with sled dog drivers from Guanajuato, Mexico. Due to lack of snow in their region, the Mexican drivers traditionally trained on wheels or by running with their dogs. December’s competition marked the second time the team members had ventured north, and the first time they came to compete. Roxby said he became acquainted with the group on social media, and after developing a relationship invited them north to train and eventually compete. The association now considers the group in Guanajuato to be a sister team to theirs. Roxby said although mushers who live in northern environments have more extensive experience in the sport, the Mexican teams bring their own unique skills to the table.
A husky waits to don its harness on. Mushers and dogs came together to compete in dogsled and skijoring races outaside Cle Elum..
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“We could learn something from them,” Roxby said. “They spend all their time on dry land and obviously are specialists at knowing how to keep their dogs cool. That’s one of the important things about training dogs and keeping temperatures regulated.” Roxby said the takeaway from the Mexican team during December’s competition was they learned to understand the value of self-reliance when running dogs in the snowy wilderness. On the second day of competition, Roxby told the team to take as long as they needed to complete the course, just as long as they didn’t turn around. “Take as many hours as your need,” he told them. “Take care of your dogs, follow the trail. Finish the race. It’s OK to be tired.”
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A dogsled teamKreturns toGthe finish V LIVIN 11 line.
Huskies drink water with food bits during a race near Cle Elum.
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Part of being an effective musher is to be in tune with your dogs. Roxby said it goes as far as considering yourself to be the pack leader. “I talk to my dogs,” he said. “I don’t use any force or anything like that. Since we live and sleep and eat together and many of my dogs were born into my hands, I truly am the pack leader.” Roxby said once you are in direct interaction with the dogs, you get to understand their language. He said most of the interactions come through body movement and cues. “Dogs answer much quickly than humans do,” he said. “When you ask another human a question, every time we speak, we take a breath first. All human conversations have this tiny little gap. Say something to a dog or give them a command or ask them something. As soon as you say it, you will see a blink. It’s usually yes or no, or at least an answer. You start to learn how to read these things. It’s a different relationship.” Given the right breed and equipment, Roxby said some dogs are capable of running 100 miles in a day on an average of eight hours of sleep. Despite this, he stressed they are not machines, and that a major element of being a successful musher is trying to keep the dogs interested in what they are doing and understanding when they’re not interested anymore. He said a musher also has to make sure the dogs are getting along with each other during competition. “There are so many variables that go into mushing,” he said. “It makes the sport very interesting.” Beyond ensuring the dogs are interested and happy, Roxby said it is also important for them to understand despite the fact that he is the pack leader, he is just as involved in the race as they are. He said this
A skijorer erupts with her dogs from the starting line during a race near Cle Elum.
comes from regular communication with the dogs while competing. “This is what we all want to do together,” he tells the dogs on the trail. “Here comes a big hill. That’s alright, we’re all going to do it together. Daddy’s working too. I’m
pushing. These kinds of mental encouragements to the dog, praise and talking about the trail to my dogs while we’re out there, it’s a very complicated communication. Almost a symbiosis.”
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Rodney Whaley feeds his team of huskies after finishing a race on Jan. 13.
While on the trail, Roxby said there are signs to look out for to ensure the dogs are not risking their health. He said during spring and fall training, they do not run the dogs in temperatures over the mid-50-degree range, due to the risk of overheating. This isn’t as much of a problem during the winter, as he said dogs sweat through their paws and tongues and as a result can effectively cool themselves off in winter temperatures. Despite this, Roxby said there is still risk of injury during the wintertime. Such examples are cut feet from ice crystals and damaged wrists and shoulders. Much of this can come from the build of the dog. 14
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Roxby said with the lighter sled dogs, they have less risk of punching through an icy surface as they distribute much of their power on their front paws while they run the course. With heavier dogs, the action of punching through the surface while racing can injure joints. “It’s not always the best thing to have the biggest, strongest, heaviest dog,” he said. About breed, Roxby said the understanding of what makes a good sled dog came from the lessons of history. During the Alaskan gold rush, he said dogs of all breeds and sizes were sold to hopeful miners on the northward trek. Only certain breeds survived any lengthy trip, however.
As the years have gone on, Roxby said the acceptable breeds for sled dog racing have evolved with the sport. He said many people cannot afford to keep large kennels full of dogs, and many do not race in long-distance competitions. As a result, non-traditional breeds such as German Pointers and other shorthair breeds can be seen in competition. This doesn’t mean that all medium to large-sized breeds are capable, however. “Not all dogs can be distance dogs,” he said. “Like Labs. Labs run fast. Very capable dogs for a couple of miles, but you’re not going to be getting them to do 20. It’s just not going to happen.
A dog licks it’s owners face on Jan. 13 at a dog sled race near Cle Elum.
“They don’t have the stamina, muscle design, things like that.” Equipment is also important. Depending on their build and disposition, some dogs require specialized equipment such as coats for extreme weather races and booties to protect their paws. “If I’m up in Alaska or places like Montana, we have special coats for the male dogs that
shield all their genital areas, because that’s what will freeze,” he said. “Leg wraps and things that promote circulation, just like an old guy would have compression socks on. ” Such equipment can get expensive. Roxby said the booties he purchases for his dogs cost approximately $12 for a pair of four. He said a normal race will require two sets per dog.
“If you’re doing a big race like the Iditarod, an 1,100-mile race or something like that, you’re probably figuring 2,000 to 3,000 booties with you,” he said. “It wouldn’t occur to most people to think with all the costs of getting the food moved to the checkpoints and all these things, that you’re going to spend $7,000 on booties.” Despite the sport being extremely expensive,
Roxby said he is attracted to the complexities and variables of dog sled competition. He said the preparation begins at the birth of the puppies and as a result, extends long beyond any individual competition. “I win races because I am able to figure out the processes of getting the dogs and myself into the position mentally and physically to complete that,” he said. K V LI V ING
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Winter exploration Photos and story by Samira George
Guided snowshoe hikes near Lake Easton teach lessons about nature
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ew people get the satisfaction of ending every step with a satisfying crunch. Some people snowshoe hike for the solace, some do it for the exercise and others as an excuse to get out of the house. This winter, those eager enough to actually get out of the house can take up the Washington State Park’s department offer for guided
snowshoe hikes on Saturdays and Sundays at Lake Easton. Laura Busby, a Washington State Park Ranger, guides hikes around Lake Easton and believes it’s a good sport anyone can partake in. Families of all ages are encouraged to attend and Busby thinks it an easy activity families can enjoy together and learn interesting facts about nature in the process.
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The hikes offer natural history lessons about the surrounding area, its ecosystems and the wildlife that inhabit it. On this hike, Busby focused her teachings on plant and animal adaptations due to environmental pressures. Along the hike, Busby pointed out different animals which use the park such as birds like geese or ducks that use Easton as a migratory lake. She said these types of birds fair well in cold environments because they have adapted to store large amounts of fatty tissues to stay warm and survive during the coldest times of winter. She also showed how you can identify wolves and coyotes by the prints left in the snow. “The claws in the front of the toe pads these are left by canids, whereas cats have retractable claws,” Busby said during a tour. Busby sees all skill-sets attend her class. Some people attend because it’s a great way to practice snowshoe safety and ask questions before adventuring out into more difficult terrain.
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TOP: Guided snow shoe hikes are put on by the Washington State Parks Department. TOP RIGHT: Laura Busby talks to snoeshowers during a guided hike near Lake Easton.
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Laura Busby leads a guided snowshoe hike near Lake Easton.
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“I personally really like snowshoeing because it allows you to venture into the woods during the winter and access places at other times of the year you can’t,� Busby said. “If something caught your eye and we wanted to take off into the woods, we could just shoot off the trail in any direction. A snowmobile can’t do that in a dense, wooded area.� According to Busby, Lake Easton is a manmade reservoir built to provide irrigation for agriculturual lands for the greater Yakima Basin. The lake is a gravity dam that refills itself every summer after winter snowpacks melt and is later rationed out to be used for varying agriculturural purposes like watering orchards, irrigating farms and providing water for livestock. The lake water levels are so low right now that old tree stumps protrude out of the lake’s surface signaling the forrest was harvested to make way for the lake. This manmade historical print is over shadowed by an even older past. Busby points out on the hike that the Northern Pacific Railroad built a tunnel through the Cascades beginning at Easton. Busby has been working with Washington State Parks for two years, but has been a lifelong educator of the outdoors. She completed her degree in education and recreation parks from the University of Minnesota and her masters degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in environmental science.
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Gliding to the finish line
Ellensburg Ski Team goes whereever it snows Story by Photos by Continued onJake pageGreen 18 Matt Carstens K V LI V ING
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hase Wassell, 9, is in his fourth year of cross country skiing, and after hearing him talk about the sport, you’d think he had been doing it for decades. Wassell’s on the younger side of the Ellensburg Ski Team, which is made up of kids ages 6-18. He said he likes getting outside in the winter and moving his body. “It’s a fun sport,” he said as he was strapping on his skis up near the Mansastash Sno Park. “It can be competitive yet not competitive and relaxing at the same time.”
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A member of the Ellensburg Ski Team navigates down groomed trails at the Manastash Sno Park near Ellensburg on Jan. 15.
The purpose of Kittitas County Search and Rescue (#KCSR) shall be to assist with the search and rescue operations and other emergency services under the direction of the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office. KCSR members train extensively. Courses such as wilderness survival, Backcountry Navigation, Patient assessment and others ensure members are prepared for a mission and provide the tools to ensure efficient and safe operations. Kittitas County Search and Rescue is a 501c(3) Washington State Non Profit Organization
”So thAT oTHErs may live!” LEARN MORE ABOUT JOINING, ONLINE: www.KittitasCountySAR.org www.facebook.com/KittitasSAR/
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Kristen Michael was up with her 6-year-old daughter Evelyn, who was out for only the second time. Evelyn wasn’t quite as talkative as Wassell, but she said her favorite part of cross country skiing was that “You’re outside.” Wassell was quick to praise her for her accomplishment the last time out. “When she did her first time on Saturday, she did a race on the very first time and got third place,” Wassell said with a smile. Kristen said she has extended family in Leavenworth, where Evelyn was first introduced to the sport. They were looking for a local alternative and found the ski teamm. “Our family likes it because it’s something you can do your whole life,” Kristen said. “If you’re not in school, you can’t really play football anymore.” Skis and poles line the ground at the Manastash Sno Park near Ellensburg on Jan. 15, as the Ellensburg Ski team gathers for practice.
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The team is coached by Jeff Hashimoto and his wife, Carey Gazis. Hashimoto said the little kids seem to pick it up pretty quick as he watched Evelyn warm up on the side of the road. “When you start when you’re little, you get used to having those long things on your feet and you get used to gliding,” he said. The team has had to improvise a little bit due to the lack of snow locally, going up to Snoqualmie Pass when they need to practice. With recent snowfall in early January this year, the Manstash Canyon turned into a pretty good spot.
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“It gets a lot nicer as you go up,” Hashimoto said. “It’s a lot colder. It was 40 in town, and 31 here.” Hashimoto said despite the air temperature, it’s not a very cold sport once you get moving, and seeing the sites is worth the trip into the canyon. “One thing that’s nice about here is it’s really beautiful,” he said. “It’s really nice in the winter time, and a great way to experience winter and stay active. The other thing is it’s cold right now but once you get exercising you get warmed up. It’s not actually a very cold sport most of the time.” K V LI V ING
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