Langlauf: A taste of spring for nordic skiers

Cross-country skiers got a taste of spring during an annual winter citizens race at Mount Spokane on Feb. 8, 2015. The 37th annual Spokane Langlauf 10-kilometer event surprised even veteran skiers with mostly excellent conditions despite a preceding week of record high temperatures, wind and rain that washed away much of the region’s snowpack. Cruising the course was like kicking and gliding through the trees over a giant snow cone.

Section:Gallery

Sun., Feb. 8, 2015

Ian McCarthy, dressed to kill, took an early lead and was the top finisher overall in the Langlauf 10K cross-country citizens race at Mount Spokane on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Lauren Potyk and other skiers donned spring-like clothing for the Langlauf 10K cross-country citizens race at Mount Spokane on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Jim Bauer, 69, is a perennial age-group winner in the Langlauf 10K cross-country citizens race at Mount Spokane.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Sam Schlieder strides with Brooks Schaaf halfway through the Langlauf 10K cross-country citizens race at Mount Spokane on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Spring-like conditions greeted skiers in the Langlauf 10K cross-country citizens race at Mount Spokane on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Groomer operators were able to make the most out of rain-soaked snow for the Langlauf 10K cross-country citizens race at Mount Spokane on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Deb Bauer of Spokane won the women's overall title in the Langlauf 10K cross-country citizens race at Mount Spokane on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Whitman College racers competed in the Langlauf 10K cross-country citizens race at Mount Spokane on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Grace Ford of Spokane place second in the women's 15-19 age group in the Langlauf 10K cross-country citizens race at Mount Spokane on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
As the faster racers head toward the finish in the distance, skiers in the middle of the pack reach a junction two kilometers back during the Langlauf 10K cross-country citizens race at Mount Spokane on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Jamie Redman, right, starts to regret donning a dress -- increasing wind resistance -- as she tries to keep up with Tom Schaaf in the Langlauf 10K cross-country citizens race at Mount Spokane on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Spokane Nordic ski team coach George Bryant uses klister to wax skis for his racers before the Langlauf 10K cross-country citizens race at Mount Spokane on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
The most treacherous place on the nordic trails was the ice at Selkirk Lodge during the Langlauf 10K cross-country citizens race at Mount Spokane on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Mid-elevation portions of the Selkirk Mountains were bare of snow as skiers prepared for the Langlauf 10K cross-country citizens race at Mount Spokane on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Robin DeRuwe of Fitness Fanatics is a long-time sponsor of the Langlauf 10K cross-country citizens race at Mount Spokane.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Tim Ray, race director, begins the awards ceremony for the Langlauf 10K cross-country citizens race at Mount Spokane on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Deb and Nick Bauer warm up before the Langlauf 10K cross-country citizens race at Mount Spokane on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Considering the previous few days of rain and wind, skiers found excellent conditions for the Langlauf 10K cross-country citizens race at Mount Spokane on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review
Haley Cooper-Scott, a triathlete who's used to being ahead in the pack, towed her infant baby in the Langlauf cross-country ski race at Mount Spokane on Feb. 8, 2015. "This is a reality check," she said. Cooper-Scott is skiing by the one major icy spot that formed on the 10K course after days of record-warm temperatures and rain.

Rich Landers The Spokesman-Review