Snowshoes in Paradise

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Seth Coulter | 151121-N-JY507-336 PARADISE, Wash. (Nov. 21, 2015) – Sailors, civilians and Department of Defense employees traverse snowfields during a Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) snowshoe trek at Mt. Rainier National Park. Pacific Northwest MWR entities offer multiple trips throughout the year, offering affordable outdoor ventures to service members and eligible patrons. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Seth Coulter/ Released)  

PARADISE, WA, UNITED STATES

11.21.2015

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Seth Coulter  

Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Det. Northwest

PARADISE, Wash. – Naval Base Kitsap Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) brought local Sailors, civilians and Department of Defense personnel on a three-mile snowshoe trek at Mt. Rainier National Park, Nov. 21.

The trek is part of an effort to help everyone stay, or become, fit during the more relaxed months of fall and winter. MWR components utilize everything the Pacific Northwest (PNW) offers, allowing an individual to stay active without having to go to the gym.

“We do about a dozen snowshoe trips throughout the [winter] season every Saturday and that is an activity that you don’t need an excessive amount of skill for,” said Kyle Better, a recreation specialist with Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor Outdoor Recreation Center. “A lot of people think that winter sports can be really challenging, which they can be, but our guides are here to show you it’s for all skill levels.”

MWR helps to curb the cost of these outdoor activities, which can tend to be expensive due to gear rental among other costs.

“My brother is visiting the area for work and I have been trying to think of good ways to get him the Northwest experience,” said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Santiago Ortiz, an Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico native assigned to Naval Hospital Bremerton. “The hike let me show him one of the coolest parts of Washington while also having a guide and the gear to do so without worry.”

MWR offers many outdoor activities, with varying levels of fitness, so confident hikers and first-timers can find something that appeals to them.

“I do a lot of hiking in the area and the Olympics but this was a good chance for me to try something different,” said Electricians Mate 3rd Class Jeremy Lattrell, a Marion, Illinois, native assigned to USS Nevada (SSBN-733). “It definitely wasn’t a hard hike but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a gorgeous one!”

MWR’s Outdoor Recreation Department is also planning to offer many different 101 classes to get Sailors started on their next great adventure in the Pacific Northwest.

For more information on MWR in the PNW, visit: http://www.navylifepnw.com/.

• Date Taken: 11.21.2015
• Date Posted: 11.23.2015 16:52
• Story ID: 182668
• Location: PARADISE, WA, US