Some will take the plunge — the polar bear plunge, that is — on New Year’s Day while others may choose to take a hike.
After celebrations the night before, many events are planned across the North Olympic Peninsula on the first day of the new year.
Here is a list of Thursday’s public activities.
PORT ANGELES
Polar Bear Dip
PORT ANGELES — Not high tide nor high kelp will stop those gathered for the annual Port Angeles Polar Bear Dip from diving in for the 27th time at 10 a.m. at Hollywood Beach.
Participants will voluntarily enter the chilly waters at the foot of Lincoln Street, where some hearty veterans will run in and out three times, said organizer Dan Weldon.
“Over the years, it’s developed into a triple dip,” he said.
As an aside to the 2015 event, a special challenge will benefit Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County.
Any individual or organization can challenge another to take the dip and put a dollar amount of their choice on the challenge.
If the person challenged takes the plunge, challenger donates that monetary amount to the agency that provides free care for eligible terminally ill and their families.
“We expect probably about a hundred people going into the water and about an equal number of spectators,” Weldon said, with “a couple of thousand dollars worth of challenges” issued so far by “at least three-dozen” individuals and groups.
That’s more than 10 times the amount pledged Jan. 1, 2014 to the hospice in the first year of challenging.
For its part, Hospice will provide a booth offering hot beverages and pastries to the dippers.
After the dipping’s done, “there’ll be a big fire on the beach, and people will get warmed up,” Weldon said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
This year’s dip might not be so challenging as in some previous years, when 3-foot-high piles of kelp blocked Hollywood Beach.
“The tide’s going to be a little high this year but not so high as in the last four years,” Weldon said.
“We always seem to have been able to do it.”
Rules call for each polar bear dipper to submerge himself or herself.
“Your body kind of goes numb,” Weldon said. “Your nerves make your skin feel like it’s on fire.”
To participate or challenge someone, or for more information, stop by the Hospice office, 540 E. Eighth St., for a brochure, or phone 360-457-8133.
MARROWSTONE ISLAND
Mystery Bay dip
NORDLAND — Participants in the Marrowstone Island Polar Bear Dip will jump into the New Year at the Nordland General Store, 7180 Flagler Road, at noon.
This is the 21st annual dip in Mystery Bay.
“We usually have about 120 people jump right off our dock,” said store owner Tom Rose. “We’ve been doing this for seems like forever.”
Rose said he might sign up people to take the plunge in Port Angeles before shivering their way to Mystery Bay.
“I’ve always thought about doing a double dip — get a bus load of people, be guest jumpers.”
Whether dipping one time or two, “we don’t allow any wetsuits,” Rose said. “We have four or five ladders, and people swim to shore too.”
For more details, call the store, 360-855-0777.
First Day Hike
NORDLAND — An easy, free “First Day Hike” will take place at Fort Flagler State Park, 10541 Flagler Road, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Participants can hike the full 2 miles along Bluff Trail or break off partway for a three-fourths-mile adventure.
Birding expert Kay Goodhue will join the hike and identify the birds at Fort Flagler. She suggests bringing binoculars.
For an extra dose of history, participants can check out the park museum.
FORKS
Lake Pleasant Plunge
LAKE PLEASANT — Even if the lake is iced over, the Lake Pleasant Plunge will start at 10 a.m. at the boat launch on the lake.
All are invited.
“The more the merrier,” said Carin Hirsch, an organizer.
“We’ve gotten up to 31 before. Last year we got quite a crowd. I was quite surprised. It doesn’t matter what the weather is.”
About five years ago, plungers had to crush through an inch of ice to enter the water.
“That year was crazy,” Hirsch said. “That was the year we got the most people.”
Possible plungers can call her for details at 360-374-9258.
Bingo Bowl
FORKS — The third annual Marathon Bingo Bowl will take place at the Forks Elks Lodge, 941 Merchants Road, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Most games will cost a quarter each. Children are welcome with adult supervision.
Concessions are provided by the Forks Emblem Club at nominal charges.
All bingo proceeds benefit Elks charities.
NEAH BAY
Neah Bay ‘diehards’
NEAH BAY – “Diehards” are what organizer June Williams calls the people who take the plunge at Front Beach each New Year’s Day.
This year’s event will start at noon “because no one’s up at 10,” she said.
The beach is on Bayview Avenue near the senior citizens building.
Williams started the event in 2001.
“I think we had give or take around 20 last year. The year before, it was about a dozen.”
The numbers are modest because some people take their leaps off Front Bridge on Christmas Day, she said, and don’t care to repeat the plunge a week later.
Still, all are welcome.
“We run into the bay. The only requirement is to go under so you get your hair wet.”
The Neah Bay Polar Bear Club will award certificates to plungers. Afterwards, “some of them get together and have hot soups and games all day.”
For more information, call Williams at 360-640-9943.
PORT TOWNSEND
Teddy Bear Hike
PORT TOWNSEND — A traditional Teddy Bear Hike will take place at Fort Worden’s North Beach Park.
Participants are asked to meet a few minutes before 10 a.m.
The walk, sponsored by Olympic Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society, is free and open to all.
The walk is “sociobotanical” and is 1 mile to 3 miles long, depending on weather and route.
Traditionally, the group walks through Chinese Gardens and up into the park via Military Hill.
For more information, contact Fred or Ann Weinmann at 360-379-0986 or fweinmann@cablespeed.com.
New Year’s run
PORT TOWNSEND — The Peninsula Trails Coalition’s New Year’s Day Discovery 10K Run and 5K Walk fundraiser at the Discovery Bay Golf Course.
The event will start at 11 a.m. New Year’s Day at the clubhouse, 7401 Cape George Road, which also will be the finish line.
Fee for each course is $20. To register, visit www.tinyurl.com/PDN-New YearsRun.
The course is on the golf course cart paths along the fairways and connects with the Larry Scott Trail at Douglas Way.
The 10K runners will run to the Milo Curry trailhead and back, while the 5K walkers will turn back after about a half-mile on the trail.
A choice of either a New Year’s Discovery 10K or Discovery Olympic logo knit hat will be available to all participants.
Runners’ and walkers’ times will be available immediately after the event, and water and food are available for all.
The Peninsula Trails Coalition is a nonprofit organization that has worked to promote and maintain the Larry Scott and Olympic Discovery Trails.
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
Lakeside brunch
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — A New Year’s Day brunch will be held at the Lake Crescent Lodge, 416 Lake Crescent Road, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The cost is $32 for adults, $28 for seniors, $14 for children under 12 and free for children under 4.
Reservations are required; phone 360-928-3211.
Hurricane Ridge
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — A ranger-guided snowshoe hike is planned at 2 p.m. from the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, weather permitting.
All activities at Hurricane Ridge are dependent upon the 17-mile road from Port Angeles being open. Olympic National Park closes the road in severe weather.
The Hurricane Ridge gift shop, snack bar and rental shop will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. New Year’s Day, if the weather permits.
It also is scheduled to be open daily today through next Sunday.
The park had scheduled to have the snow play place open daily since the day after Christmas. The road was closed Saturday because of the weather.
The cost of the guided snowshoe hike is a suggested $5 donation.
Registration begins at the Hurricane Ridge information desk at 1:30 p.m.
Park entrance fees are $15 per vehicle.
For updates on road access, call 360-565-3131.
STATE PARKS
State parks free day
Entrance fees for state parks will be waived New Year’s Day.
State park visitors will not be required to display a Discover Pass, a $30 annual permit, or to pay a one-day fee of $10.
A Discover Pass will be required to access state Department of Fish and Wildlife and state Department of Natural Resources lands.
Olympic National Park will not offer free admission Thursday.
State parks on the North Olympic Peninsula are Bogachiel near Forks, Dosewallips near Brinnon, Fort Flagler on Marrowstone Island, Fort Townsend and Fort Worden in Port Townsend, Anderson Lake State Park near Chimacum, and Sequim Bay near Sequim.
Free days apply only to day use, not to overnight stays or rented facilities.
For more information, see parks.wa.gov.
