Science & Outdoors
Husky Blast blows into town
Science & Outdoors Reporter
The Husky Blast, organized by the Adventure Racing Club at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, took place on Saturday, Feb. 28. It was an exercise to test logical thinking, endurance, speed and problem-solving skills and took place at various locations in and around Stevens Point.
Luke Schmelzer, of the team “Brothers Schmelzer,” said the Husky Blast went much smoother this year than last. Schmelzer has participated in a number of the Adventure Racing Club events over the past two years, some requiring four-person teams. “Those are really fun,” said Schmelzer. “But can get crazy.”
The event began at the Heath Enhancement Center where teams of two had to complete a logics test. They had to separate the husky dogs from skiers with only five lines on a picture. With maps in hand, they biked to Iverson Park for an orienteering course. Each team’s passport had to be punched along the trail at Iverson.
The next challenge was to go up a hill and back down. That sounds simple enough, but one person had to be blindfolded and could talk, while the other could see but not talk. Luke Schmelzer’s brother, Noah Schmelzer, was not blindfolded but could not talk. Sledding down the hill, Luke said he was a little scared because he could not see if they were headed for any trees.
The brothers biked to the Plover River Trail where they skied six miles on the outside loop and looked for two orange flagging. One flagging had one letter on it and the other had four letters. The letters were unscrambled to spell the word “smile.” Luke Schmelzer said they missed a small loop, which had one of the flags, but were allowed to continue the race.
From there, they biked to Schmeeckle Reserve for another orienteering exercise in which they had to find other letters and markers.
David Puhl, one of the organizers, said participants also began a scavenger hunt to coincide with the rest of the race. Items to gather were things like pine cones, litter and inscriptions from Schmeeckle signs.
The “Brothers Schmelzer” finished that challenge at 2:45 p.m. and were told they could go to Bukolt Park for a bonus challenge before the cut-off time of 3 p.m. Once there, they were supposed to make a snow sculpture. Instead, they made small snow forts and had a snowball fight, taking pictures for proof.
“Brothers Schmelzer” was the second team back to the Multi-Activity Center. However, all teams were given a chance to deduct 10 to 20 minutes from their time if one or both team members ascended the climbing wall.
Even though “Brothers Schmelzer” of UW-SP had the best time (4:06), they came in third because they missed the loop on one of the challenges.
“It was fun overall though,” said Luke Schmelzer.
First place went to team “Final Countdown” of UW-SP, with team members Kat Stratton and Luke Nigon. Second place went to “Team Money” of Conserve School from Land O’Lakes, Wis. The first place team was given a picture frame with “Husky Blast” engraved on it. Other prizes were from the Brewhaus and included mugs and juices.
“It was a good race,” said Puhl. For information on future races or meeting times, contact Puhl, president of the Adventure Racing Club, at dpuhl199@uwsp.edu.
