Loess Hills Nordic Ski Patrol

Loess Hills Nordic Ski Patrol The Loess Hills Nordic Ski Patrol (LHNSP) is a volunteer, non-profit service organization based at Pottawatomie County’s Hitchcock Nature Center.

We have qualified and trained staff who provide safety education, emergency medical care and evacuation. The Loess Hill Nordic Ski Patrol (LHNSP) is organized and trained to provide year-round support to Hitchcock Nature Center (HNC) guests with patrols of trails, first aid services, and event support in all environments and conditions.

Instructors Joel Bauch, Will Becker, and Alison Larsen traveled out to Snowy Range Ski Area to provide support for the f...
04/19/2026

Instructors Joel Bauch, Will Becker, and Alison Larsen traveled out to Snowy Range Ski Area to provide support for the final evaluation of candidates from the Snowy Range and Crescent Hill ski patrols who trained for the OEC Module of the Senior Program. The OEC-MSP emphasizes development of skills in leadership, decision-making, and problem management beyond their basic outdoor emergency care training.

BASIC MAP AND COMPASSCome and participate in the Basic Map and Compass Class at Hitchcock Nature Center on Saturday, Apr...
04/09/2026

BASIC MAP AND COMPASS

Come and participate in the Basic Map and Compass Class at Hitchcock Nature Center on Saturday, April 18, 2026 1:00pm to 5:00pm. This will be a hands-on class where you will learn the fundamentals of map and compass navigation for the outdoors.

Class is $20 per person, register at https://www.pottconservation.com/calendar/

Hitchcock Nature Center
27792 Ski Hill Loop
Honey Creek, Iowa 51542

🏃‍♂️🌄 Congratulations to all the runners who took on The Greater Omaha Area Trail-runnerz Hitchcock Experience, December...
12/19/2025

🏃‍♂️🌄 Congratulations to all the runners who took on The Greater Omaha Area Trail-runnerz Hitchcock Experience, December 6–7!

This year’s event once again proved why Hitchcock is considered one of the toughest—and most beautiful—endurance races in Iowa. From steep climbs to rugged singletrack, athletes pushed their limits across an unforgettable course.

The Loess Hills Nordic Ski Patrol proudly supported the race, working in shifts to provide on-trail medical coverage throughout the weekend—ensuring runner safety in challenging conditions.

📅 December 6–7, 2025
📍 Hitchcock Nature Center | Honey Creek, IA
🏃 Field limit: 125 runners
🌄 Elevation gain per loop: ~4,928 ft

Race distances included:
• 100M – 5 × 20-mile laps
• 101K “The Hard Way” – Half Marathon + 50M
• 50M – 3 × 16.7-mile laps
• Half Marathon – 1 shortened lap

Our patrol’s UTV training follows ROHVA standards—hands-on, safety-first, and designed for confident, controlled off-road response during endurance events like this one.

📸 Photo credit: Alison Larsen, Ashlie Pappas, Lindsey Kellogg, Bren Duvall

👉 Learn more about LHNSP: https://www.loesshillsnordic.org/

👉 Race details: https://www.goatz.org/the-hitchcock-experience

Congrats to the LHNSP members who completed their Night Drivers portion of UTV training on 11/21 at the Hitchcock Nature...
11/25/2025

Congrats to the LHNSP members who completed their Night Drivers portion of UTV training on 11/21 at the Hitchcock Nature Center!

With this certification wrapped up, the patrol is officially ready to support Greater Omaha Area Trail-runnerz Hitchcock Experience this December. 🚨🌙

About the race:

The Hitchcock Experience is one of the toughest—and most beautiful—endurance events in Iowa.

📅 December 6–7, 2025
📍 Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek, IA
🏃 Field Limit: 125 runners
🌄 Elevation per loop: ~4,928 ft
Courses range from a Half Marathon to 100 miles, winding through singletrack, fire roads, and rugged maintenance routes.

Race Distances:
• 100M – 5× 20-mile laps
• 101K “The Hard Way” – Half Marathon then the 50M
• 50M – 3× 16.7-mile laps
• Half Marathon – 1 shortened lap

The patrol’s UTV training follows ROHVA (Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association) standards—hands-on, safety-first, and built to ensure confident, controlled off-road operation during events.

📸 Photo credit: Alison Larsen and Ashlie Pappas
👉 Learn more about LHNSP: https://www.loesshillsnordic.org/
👉 Race details: https://www.goatz.org/the-hitchcock-experience

Getting hands-on with anchor setups and overhang rappels at Blue Mounds during the LHNSP September climbing weekend! 🧗‍♀...
11/13/2025

Getting hands-on with anchor setups and overhang rappels at Blue Mounds during the LHNSP September climbing weekend! 🧗‍♀️🪢

Also, there was popcorn.

👉 Want to learn more about LHNSP?
https://www.loesshillsnordic.org/

👉 Want to plan your own trip to Blue Mounds?
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html

📸 credit: Kayleigh Hegarty, Pell Duvall, Alison Larsen, Ashlie Pappas (Sykora)

Get in loser, we're going camping.
11/04/2025

Get in loser, we're going camping.

Loess Hills Nordic Ski Patrol at work on Hitchcock Nature Center trails!
10/28/2025

Loess Hills Nordic Ski Patrol at work on Hitchcock Nature Center trails!

10/28/2025

Take a ride with Loess Hills Ski Patrol members Will Becker and Alison Larsen as they navigate the ROHVA Safety Course! 🏞️

The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA) promotes safe, responsible use of ROVs—better known as side-by-sides or UTVs.

The ROV Basic DriverCourse offers hands-on training for licensed drivers 16+, helping participants build confidence and control through certified DriverCoach instruction. From steering and braking to real off-road driving, it’s all about learning to ride safely.

🎥 credit: Alison Larsen

Learn more, visit: rohva.org

Interested in joining our patrol?🌲🚑
👉 loesshillsnordic.org

Congratulations to the LHNSP members who completed the ROHVA Safety Course on October 18th! 👏The Recreational Off-Highwa...
10/23/2025

Congratulations to the LHNSP members who completed the ROHVA Safety Course on October 18th! 👏

The Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA) promotes the safe and responsible use of recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs)—also known as side-by-sides or UTVs.

The ROV Basic DriverCourse is a hands-on training for licensed drivers 16+ that builds confidence and skill behind the wheel. Through certified DriverCoach instruction, participants practice low-speed steering, turning, braking, swerving, and more—then apply those lessons to real off-road driving.

Learn more about ROHVA: https://rohva.org/

Interested in joining our patrol? 🌲🚑
👉 https://www.loesshillsnordic.org

📸 credit: Alison Larsen and Wayne Chase

Wait… who actually knows where we’re going? 🤔😂Fall patrols at Hitchcock are always a good time! 🍂 Stay oriented on your ...
10/15/2025

Wait… who actually knows where we’re going? 🤔😂

Fall patrols at Hitchcock are always a good time! 🍂 Stay oriented on your next hike with an updated Hitchcock Nature Center trail map:
👉 pottconservation.com/files/hitchcockmap_minimized_51237.pdf

Want to learn more about the LHNSP? Visit us at: https://www.loesshillsnordic.org/

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Honey Creek, IA

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