Patrollers stop at ice falls for a group photo.
Stretching: our leader (green jacket, left) assured
us if we did it right, every muscle in our body would be sore the next day!
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NERSTRAND-
On Saturday, December 14, the Viking Nordic and
Hiawatha Nordic ski patrols held a joint "Trail Refresher". Eighteen patrollers
met at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, dressed in a motley assortment
of patrol uniforms, packs, hats and hiking boots. Everyone (almost) had
ski poles and in the absence of snow, the plan was to do a "pole hike".
The weather was gorgeous, sunny and warm, and there was even a little bit
of snow on the trails in shady protected spots. The group walked a couple
of miles, stopping at intervals for stretching exercises, one-leg jumps,
and other conditioning exercises, as well as discussions of skiing technique,
such as trying to agree on what V2 really is. Back at the parking lot, the
schedule of race events for Viking Nordic was distributed, and there were
discussions of patrol equipment and procedures.
By then it was lunchtime, and most of the group convoyed to Northfield,
in search of a restaurant. Viking Nordic demonstrated its famous "lose
somebody" technique, but eventually everyone assembled at the Ranch
Family Restaurant, where we dined elegantly. Overall, a good beginning to
the season. Now all we need is snow.
"Pole Hiking" on a gorgeous Fall day.
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