Frozen Otter Ultra Trek

The Ice Age Trail is a National Scenic Trail stretching 1,200 miles (1,900 km) in the state of Wisconsin in the United States. The trail roughly follows the location of the terminal moraine from the last Ice Age. As the route traverses the moraine, it sometimes meanders into areas west of the moraine, including the Driftless Area in southwestern Wisconsin. The trail passes through 30 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties, from the northwestern part of the state to the Lake Michigan shoreline in the east. The western end of the trail is at Interstate State Park along the St. Croix River, which is the border between northwestern Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota. The eastern terminus of the Ice Age Trail lies at Potawatomi State Park, along Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula off of Sturgeon Bay.

Along its route, the trail crosses numerous local parks, state parks and forests, state wildlife and natural areas, and the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The trail often coincides with other trails within various county and municipal parks. It passes through the land of various owners, including the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Ice Age Trail Alliance, and hundreds of private citizens.

The Frozen Otter is a 64 mile ultra trail marathon that takes place in Dundee, Wi on the 3 weekend of January. Why the third weekend? Because that is historically the coldest weekend of the year in Wi. The race is made up of 8 segments, and the competitors have 24 hours to complete the distance. The racers are self supported, meaning that they can receive no help or assistance while competing. The only resupplying that can take place occurs at the half way point (32 miles). Participants traverse 64 miles of Wisconsin’s hilly terrain left in the wake of the great Wisconsin Glacier. Racers may only register as a solo racer, although participants are encouraged to race with others, and must carry a variety of gear to ensure their safety during the event. Racers have 24 hours to conquer the distance. Those that do are then part of the elite Frozen Few.