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Out & About: Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol searches for recruits

Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol candidate Lexi Voss prepares to take her test in evacuating an injured skier in a toboggan. Patrollers must complete 120 hours of training, plus annual refresher courses.
By Rich Landers richl@spokesman.com(509) 459-5508
Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol candidate Lexi Voss prepares to take her test in evacuating an injured skier in a toboggan. Patrollers must complete 120 hours of training, plus annual refresher courses.

OUTSLOPES – This winter’s dearth of snow has melted the usual spring interest in joining the Mt. Spokane Ski Patrol.

With the slopes grimly bare, the mountain’s Ski and Snowboard Park was forced to close in February.

“Another thing that has been cut short is our usual opportunity to recruit new candidates,” said Dennis Yanuszeski, a member of the National Ski Patrol who volunteers at Mt. Spokane. 

“We are one of the largest all-volunteer patrols in the country, about 130 in number and a charter member of the NSP since 1938,” he said. 

“Every spring we usually start up a new class of candidates to join our ranks for the next season.”

This year, the on-snow opportunities are limited, but the training must continue to be ready with an adequate number of patrollers.

“We are looking for strong skiers, boarders and nordic skiers with the desire and time to go through the NSP training program and join our patrol,” Yanuszeski said.

A recruiting event is set for Saturday, 9 a.m., at the west end of Valley General Hospital.

Info: mssp.org or email info@mssp.org.

Kids Fishing Day registration opens

OUTTROUT – Fishing rods have been rigged up by volunteer sportsmen to hand out to about 950 kids ages 5-14 in the 16th annual Kids Fishing event at Clear Lake on May 2.

Kids are being scheduled for half-hour slots between 8 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. at Fairchild Air Force Base Recreation Area.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife plans to stock thousands of trout in net pens kids will be able to cast into from shore and docks.

For the $10 entry fee, each kid receives a Kids Fishing T-shirt, Zebco rod and reel and a chance to catch a limit of three trout. Volunteers will assist each child.

Applications must be postmarked by April 17.

Download forms at tinyurl.com/qb86w2y. 

Info: WDFW, (509) 892-1001.

Baiting rules on agenda

OUTHUNT – Options for restricting the use of bait in and other hunting season proposals will be presented at the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting Friday and Saturday at the Moses Lake Civic Center, 401 S. Balsam. See the agenda at wdfw.wa.gov.