Explorer Walt Pederson Named To International Snowmobile Hall Of Fame

The International Snowmobile Hall of Fame has announced its class of 2016 and, as always, it’s a great one — honoring some of the people who have made our sport great.

All week, we’ll be running the press releases from the Hall. This one featured the late Walt Pederson, a key member of the Plaisted Expedition to the North Pole. The actual induction ceremony will be September 23-24 in Eagle River, Wisconsin.

Walt Pederson To Be Inducted Into International Snowmobile Hall of Fame

Eagle River, WI, August 8, 2016 – The International Snowmobile Hall of Fame, Eagle River, Wisconsin, will induct Walt Pederson of Wyoming, Minnesota, on September 24, 2016, in the Explorer category. Growing up on a farm, Walt’s natural mechanical abilities soon flourished. Also a natural dreamer, explorer and snowmobile enthusiast, Walt did not hesitate to join the Plaisted Expedition to the North Pole in 1968.

Walt’s duty on the trip to the Pole was to keep the four Ski-Doo Olympic 300 sleds running throughout the grueling 800+ miles that took 43 days. And, at temperatures as low as minus 60 degrees.

Walt Pederson of the Plaisted Expedition
Walt Pederson, a key member of the historic Plaisted Expedition to the North Pole, will be inducted into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame in September.

He also served as the “Chaplin” of the group and his positive attitude was many times the inspiration the four needed to keep going in spite of the harsh conditions they faced.

Once, while holed up in tents for seven days during a storm, Walt wrote, “All the fears a man can have tormented through my mind from the claustrophobia.” But they prevailed and were proven to be the first to reach the North Pole by overland route.

Following the trip, Walt continued his involvement with snowmobiles as a Ski-Doo dealer, invented an improved snowmobile speedometer, handlebar warmers, a coloring book for kids and several other mechanical inventions. He was interviewed on numerous local and national news media, appeared on many TV shows always promoting the machines and the sport of snowmobiling.

“God gave me more ambition than a man should have,” he replied when asked about his accomplishments. For his many contributions to the sport and adventures with snowmobiles, Walt Pederson is being inducted into the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame.

The International Snowmobile Hall of Fame was founded to provide a place for the snowmobiling community, governments and related business organizations to recognize the dedicated individuals related to the world wide sport of snowmobiling. For more information on the Induction Weekend, September 23-24, please visit www.ishof.com.

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