It was, at first, too pleasant a Saturday for the annual mid-March Jackalope Jump in Wyoming.In other states, theyre known as polar plunges. We choose the Jackalope because thats very Wyoming specific, said Carrie Pilcher, who h ad been signing up donators.A polar plunge is meant to come with a bite, and as participants gathered, the sky shifted, and hail peppered the event.We used to jump through a hole in the ice at Lake DeSmet, and it turns out its a little easier to convince people to jump in a pool, said Pilcher. What we call The Onion Skin (is) our little portable pool.For 18 years, the Sheridan sheriffs and fire departments have helped locals embrace the chill for a good cause, raising money for Wyomings Special Olympics.The event has raised anywhere from $1,000 to $20,000 in past years, helping to fund training and travel for athletes.Funds that we raise from this go to help offset the cost of training and traveling to the events, said Boot Hill with the Sheridan County Sheriff's Department.Wonderful, nice, and should do it againall comments made as participants emerged from the snow-laden water.Once you try it, you always come back. You meet folks that will becomelifetime friends, said Pilcher. ...read more read less