For Immediate Release January 7, 2000	Contact: Sue Lampe  (360) 891-5091

Wind River Winterfest

VANCOUVER, WA -- Snow lovers young and old are invited to attend the second-annual Wind River WinterFest on January 15, at Oldman Pass Sno-Park on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. 

Four family fun-filled hours from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. will offer a variety of free activities:

The Nature Annex store will host a free snowshoe demonstration.  Guided snowshoe hikes (snowshoes provided) will be led by Wind River Search and Rescue volunteers.

Skamania County Community Events and Recreation will provide lots of fun on the new sledding hill at Oldman Pass.  Enjoy the snowman-building contest, sledding and meeting new friends.

Simply Survival, a wilderness adventure program, will provide instruction on the "five essentials" for winter survival.

Explore the fascinating world of tracking with the International Society of Professional Trackers. Identify and follow signs of winter life in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

The Portland Chapter of the Oregon Nordic Club will host a basic cross-country mini class for people wanting to learn cross-country skiing. Participants must bring all equipment.

Free shuttle service for over-flow parking will be provided by Explore the Gorge, a guided tour and hiking company.  The shuttle will run from surrounding Sno-Park lots in the Upper Wind River Winter Sports Area to the event site at the Oldman Pass Sno-Park.  Hot Coca, lunch and other goodies from the Little Viking Restaurant in Stevenson will be available for your enjoyment.

The site location is approximately 28 miles north of Stevenson and Carson, Wash.  Follow the snowflake signs along the Wind River Highway to the site.  Traction devices and Sno-Park permits are required.

Contacts for further information:

·        The Nature Annex – 509.427.4655

·        Skamania County Community Events and Recreation 509.427.9478

·        Skamania County Chamber of Commerce 509.427.8911 or www.skamania.org

·        Explore the Gorge - Free Shuttle Service 509.427.7400

·        Simply Survival - www.ssurvival.com

To complete the WinterFest weekend, a snowmobile race will be held on January 16 near Trout Lake, Wash.  Call the Outdoor Toy Store at 509.427.7474 for more information.

For more news from the Gifford Pinchot visit our Press Room.

Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Revised: 10 January 2000