FrozenOtterUltraParticipantGuideversion1.1.0LastUpdated11/11/2018

1.0-AbouttheRace................................................................................................................31.1-Overview.....................................................................................................................................31.2-Venue...........................................................................................................................................3

2.0-Rules...................................................................................................................................52.1-GeneralRules............................................................................................................................52.2–RankingParticipants.............................................................................................................52.3-Officialvs.Un-Officialvs.FrozenFew...............................................................................62.4–IntermediateCheckpoints...................................................................................................62.5–CutoffTimes..............................................................................................................................62.6–GearDrop...................................................................................................................................62.7–Spectators..................................................................................................................................7

3.0-Logistics.............................................................................................................................73.0–EarlyCheck-in..........................................................................................................................73.1–RaceDaySchedule..................................................................................................................73.2–WisconsinStateParksSticker............................................................................................73.3–EventWaiver............................................................................................................................73.4–GearCheck.................................................................................................................................7

4.0-Safety..................................................................................................................................84.1–SelfReliance..............................................................................................................................84.2–WirelessCoverage..................................................................................................................84.3–StayFound!................................................................................................................................84.4–RequiredGear..........................................................................................................................84.5–EmergencyServices................................................................................................................8

5.0–CheckpointProcedures...............................................................................................95.1–Arrival.........................................................................................................................................95.2–Departure..................................................................................................................................95.3–Dropping....................................................................................................................................95.4–BENICEtotheVolunteers....................................................................................................9

Appendix.................................................................................................................................10RequiredGear.................................................................................................................................10IceAgeTrailDistances.................................................................................................................11

1.0-AbouttheRace

1.1-OverviewTheFrozenOtterUltraTrekisbyfaroneofthetoughestracesintheMidwestandwithroughlya25%completionrate,possiblythecountry.ParticipantstraverseWisconsin'shillyterrainleftinthewakeofthegreatWisconsinGlacier.Asifthesheerfeatofconqueringthemileageisn'tenough,racersmustdoitwithminimalsupported,ontrail,inthedeadofwinter.Racersmayonlyregisterasasoloracer,althoughparticipantsareencouragedtoracewithothers,andmustcarryavarietyofgeartoensuretheirsafetyduringtheevent.Racershave24hourstoconquerthedistance.ThosethatdoarethenpartoftheeliteFrozenFew.Conditionsareahugefactorintheraceandarehighlyunpredictable.Pastyearshavecursedracerswithconditionsincludingtemperaturesdroppingdownto20degreesbelowzeroandknee-deepsnow.Theraceistrulytheultimatetestofbothphysicalandmentalendurance.Justtoaddtothementalchallenge(andtokeeptrackoftheracers),volunteersarepostedatroughly8-9mileintervalsalongthetrailandprovideahavenwithawarmfire,hotbeverages,andtheoptiontotakeashuttleback.Thisiswhereracersbegintodroplikeflies!Historically,bythethirdcheckpointalargepercentageoftheparticipantshavechosentothrowinthetowelandreturntothecomfortoftheirwarmcars.Thoseracersthatcompletetheentirecoursewithinthe24-hourcutoffbecomepartofthe'FrozenFew'andreceiveasetofdogtagsforbraggingrights.ToptimesgettheirnamesaddedtotheperpetualFrozenFewplaque,whichisdisplayedeachyearattheracecheck-inarea.Allparticipantsthatreturntothecheck-inareaeitherasarankedracerorbyshuttlearetreatedtohotsoup,grilledfood,andalargefiretosharetheirexperiencewithotherracers.

1.2-VenueTheIceAgeTrailisaNationalScenicTraillocatedentirelywithinWisconsin.Thetrailisalsooneof42designatedWisconsinstatetrailsandtheonlyonespecificallydesignatedasa"StateScenicTrail."FromInterstateStateParkontheMinnesotabordertoPotawatomiStateParkonLakeMichigan,theIceAgeTrailwindsformorethan1,000miles,followingtheedgeofthelastcontinentalglacierinWisconsin.OneofonlyeightNationalScenicTrails,theIceAgeTrailisintendedtobeapremierhikingtrailandconservation

resourceforsilentsportandoutdoorenthusiasts.ThetrailtraversessomeofWisconsin’smostsceniclandscapesandhelpstellthestoryofthelastIceAgebyhighlightingWisconsin'suniqueglacialfeatures.ThenorthernunitoftheKettleMoraineStateForestis45minutesnorthofMilwaukee.SuggestedroutesfromFondduLac/Oshkosh/Appleton,Milwaukee,Madison,ChicagoandSheboygan/PlymouthtoForestHeadquarters,IceAgeCenter,MautheLake,LongLakeandGreenbushareprovidedintheAppendix.Forbestresults,seeaWisconsinStateHighwayMapandtheForestMapintheAppendixtodetermineifthesuggestedroutewillworkbestforyou.

2.0-Rules

2.1-GeneralRulesParticipantsthatchoosetoturnaroundandheadbacktoMautheLakeshortoftheNorthernmostcheckpointmaynotcontinueontheSouthernportionofthecourse.AllparticipantsmuststayontheIceAgeTrailmarkedbytheyellowblaze.Racerscaughttravelingonroadorothertrailswillbedisqualified.AllgarbagemustbeplacedinDNRgarbagecans,checkpointtrashbags,orpackedout.Nooutsidesupportorgearstagingisallowed.Spectatorsareallowedatdesignatedcheckpointsbutmaynotprovideanytypeofsupport(seesection2.7).Pacersareallowedatanypoint,butmustnotprovideanytypeofsupportotherthanmotivationalsupport.RequiredgearmustbecarriedatALLtimes!FailuretopassagearcheckduringtheracewillresultinIMMEDIATEdisqualificationandtheparticipantwillbeshuttledbacktothestart/finish.Pleaserespectotherpeopleusingthetrail.TheIceAgeTrailisopentothepublicforthedurationoftheevent.AllvehiclesmusthaveaWisconsinStateParkssticker(seesection3.2).RacersmustnotifyvolunteersofboththeirarrivalanddeparturefromEVERYmannedcheckpoint(seesection5).Racersmustnotifyracestaffifyoudecidenotcontinueatanypoint.Allparticipantsmusttraversethecourseusingonlytheirfeetwithnoadditionalgearsuchassnowshoes,skis,motorizedtransport,etc.TractiondevicessuchasYaktrax,Microspikes,andcramponsareallowed.

2.2–RankingParticipantsParticipantsarerankedbasedonnumberofmilescoveredinleastamountoftime.RacersmaychoosetoturnaroundatanypointinordertoreturntoMautheLakeundertheirownpowerbeforethecutoff.

Figure1-IceAgeTrailBlaze

2.3-Officialvs.Un-Officialvs.FrozenFewAllracersmustbebacktoMautheLakeundertheirownpowernolaterthan24hoursfromtheracestarttobeconsideredanofficialfinisher.Anyparticipantreceivingashuttlefromeitherracestaff,volunteers,oranyothersourcewillnolongerbeofficialandgetaDNF(Didnotfinish).Participantswhocompletetheentirecoursebeforethe24hourcutoffwillnotonlyremainanofficialfinisherbutbepartoftheFrozenFew.

2.4–IntermediateCheckpointsCoursemapsaremarkedwithintermediatecheckpointsroughlyhalfwaybetweencheckpoints.Thesearetheretoallowracersanopportunitytoturnaroundandearnthehalf-waymileagewhileremainingranked.Thereareboxesonthemapsthatshouldbepunchedatthecheckpointusingtheattachedpinpunch.IntermediatecheckpointswillbestandardorienteeringflagsaspicturedinFigure-2.Ifyoudecidetopunchyourmapandturnaround,pleasealertthevolunteersatthenextcheckpointyouarriveatsotheycanconveythatinformationtoracestaff.

2.5–CutoffTimesIfracersfailtomakethefollowingcutofftimes,theywillnotbeallowedtocontinueonthecourseandwillbeunranked(DNF).Itisintheracer’sbestinteresttokeeptrackofpaceandturnaroundifneededtopreventdisqualification.RacersmustLEAVEthecheckpointbythedesignatedcutofftimes.

Greenbush(CP2)–4:30pmHwyP(CP3)–7pmGreenbush(CP4)–9:30pmButlerLake(CP5)–12:30amMautheLake(CP6)–3am(fulldistance)5am(HwyDDandback)HwyH(CP7)–7am

2.6–GearDropAgearbox(nolargerthan20gallon-capacity)maybeplacedattheMautheLakeTrailheadarea(“Checkpoint6”)priortothestartoftherace.Noothergeardropswillbeallowed.Racerswhochoosetonotdropagearboxhavetheoptionofaccessingtheirvehicleintheparkingareaatthecostofaquartermileorsoeachdirection.

Figure2-IntermediateCheckpointFlag

2.7–SpectatorsSpectatorsthatwouldliketobecometemporaryvolunteersoutareencouragedtodoso.Theycantalktoanyofthevolunteersattheirpoststoseewhattheycando,ortheymaycallthevolunteercoordinator,Karen,at773-606-0272.Manyunexpectedneedspopupthroughouttherace,soitwouldbenicetohavemorehelpinghandsondeck.PleaserememberthatspectatorsareNOTALLOWEDtoprovideassistancetoracersoutsideofwhatisalreadyprovidedbythecheckpointstaff.Forexample,spectatorsmayNOTprovideracerswithachangeofclothes,additionalfoodorotherassistance.IfspectatorsarewitnessedprovidingANYASSISTANCEoutsideanyoftheofficialcheckpoints,theracerreceivingaidwillbedisqualified.

3.0-Logistics

3.0–EarlyCheck-inThemorningoftheraceisverybusy,soifyouareable,wehighlyrecommendcheckinginearlyonFridayfrom4pm-8pmattheMautheLakeshelter.

3.1–RaceDaySchedule7:15am–9:15am–Gearcheckandracercheck-in9:15am–MANDATORYpre-racebriefing10:00am-RaceStart

3.2–WisconsinStateParksStickerTheWisconsinDepartmentofNaturalResourcesrequiresonepermitpervehicle.Thesearesoldbythedayorannually.Theycanbepurchasedatanyoftherangerstations,orattheself-paystationattheMautheLakerangerstation.ThereisapossibilitythattherangerstationwillbestaffedbytheDNR.Informationisathttp://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/admission.html.

3.3–EventWaiverWaiverswillbecollectedatcheck-in.Pleasehaveyourwaivercompletedandsignedbeforethistimetoavoidlong,coldmorninglines.Thanks!http://www.fatotter.com/sites/default/files/documents/Frozen%20Otter_Event_Waiver_0.pdf

3.4–GearCheckBringyourrequiredgearwhenyoucheckin.Partofthecheck-inprocesswillrequirepresentingyourrequiredgearitems.Thosefoundwithoutthemandatoryitemswillnotbeallowedtoparticipate.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsregardingyourgearchoices,pleasecontacttheracedirectorpriortoraceday.

4.0-Safety

4.1–SelfRelianceFirstandforemostitistheresponsibilityoftheracerstonotonlytrainandprepareadequately,butalsoknowtheirlimitsandceasetoparticipateifitmeansputtingthemselvesatrisk.Racestaffarenotonlyatthemercyofwirelesssignalthroughouttheforest,butmaybeassistingotherracers.Inanemergencysituationitcouldpotentiallybehoursbeforehelpcanreachyou,sobepreparedtosurviveintheharshconditionsthatareinherenttotheFrozenOtter.

4.2–WirelessCoverageVirtuallyalloftheforestiscoveredbytheUSCellularnetwork.ThismeansthatUSCellulardeviceswillworkthebest,followedbySprintandVerizonwhichareabletousethesamenetworktechnology.CarrierssuchasT-MobileandAT&Tdonothavecoverageandyouwilllikelynothavesignalformostofthecourse.WeSTRONGLYencourageparticipantsthatdonothavecoveragetopurchaseanin-expensivepre-paidUSCellularphonefortherace.Thesecanbepurchasedatmanylocalretailers,includingWalmart.

4.3–StayFound!Knowyourlocationatalltimes.Notonlyisitgoodforsanitytomakenoteofbothroadandtrailintersections,itwillhelpyouknowwhereyouareandidentifyanavigationalerrorifoneoccurs.Theyellowblazesareabundant,buttherearedefinitelysomelocationsthatcanbecomeconfusingwithothertrailscrossing.BothiPhoneandAndroidsmartphoneshaveofflinemapappsthatareeitherfreeorveryinexpensive.Weencourageracerstodownloadoneoftheseappsbeforetheracesotheirlocationmaybeconveyedaccuratelyinthecaseofanemergency.

4.4–RequiredGearThelistofrequiredgearexistsforareason,andthatreasonissurvival.Intheharshtemperaturesandconditionsoftheevent,aninjurycanveryquicklyturnintoalifeordeathsituationwithoutthepropersupplies.Notethatthereareadditionalgearrequirementswhentheforecastwind-chillis-20Forbelow.Therequirementtocarrythegearforextremeconditionswillbeannouncedtoracerswithin48hoursoftheracestart.Racerswillberequiredtopresenttheirrequiredgearpriortotheeventandwillnotbeallowedtoparticipatewithoutalloftherequireditems.Racestaffmayalsoperformrandomgearchecksduringtheeventtoensureallracerscomply.Racersfoundwithoutallrequiredgearwillberemovedfromthecourse.

4.5–EmergencyServicesInthecaseofanemergency,pleasecall911.Ifyoursituationisnon-critical,youshouldtext(callingisdifficultwithcoverage)racestaffusingthenumberonyourcoursemap.

5.0–CheckpointProcedures

5.1–ArrivalWhenyouarriveatacheckpoint,itisyourresponsibilitytostateyournumbertothevolunteersatthecheckpointandverifythattheyhaveheardyouandloggedyourtime.Itisessentialwegetthesetimesbecausetheyareouronlywayofknowingwhereyouareonthecourse.

5.2–DepartureWhenyoudepartthecheckpointyoumustonceagainannounceyournumbertothevolunteersandstatethatyouarenowdoingoneofthefollowing:

1. Continuingonthefullcourse2. Turningaroundandheadingbackunderyourownpower3. Requestingashuttleorreceivingarideback

Itisyourresponsibilitytoaccuratelyconveythisinformationandconfirmitwasreceived.Aswitharrivingatacheckpoint,thisinformationisessentialfortrackingracerlocationonthecourse.

5.3–DroppingWeaskthatwheneverit’spossibletosafelypushtothenearestcheckpointbeforedropping,pleasedoso.Whendroppingatacheckpoint,alertthevolunteerstoyourdecisionandletthemknowifyouhavearidecomingorrequirearidebacktothestagingarea.Racestaffisabletoprovideshuttlesback,however,itcouldbequitesometimebeforethatispossibleduetoanumberoffactors.Ifyoucannotmakeittothenearestcheckpointandrequirearescue,youmustgettoaknownintersectionorlocationandcontactracestaff(ifitisanemergency,call911).Westronglydiscouragethisunlessitistrulyanemergencyasitremovesracestafffromthecourseanddivertsattentionfromtheracersonthecourse.Ifyoureceivearidefromsomeoneotherthanracestaffandhavenotalertedracestafftothisdecision,pleasemakethevolunteerattheMautheLakeShelterawareofthesituationsoitcanbeconveyedtotheracestaff.Ifthisisnotdone,wewouldlikelyenduponthecoursesearchingforyouwhenyoufailedtocheckinatthecheckpointpotentiallyputtingourvolunteersinadangeroussituation.

5.4–BENICEtotheVolunteersPleasebecourteoustotheracevolunteers.Manyofthemtravelquitesomedistanceyearafteryeartohelpmakeeveryone’sexperiencebetter.Theyfacecoldtemperaturesandsleepdeprivationjustliketheparticipantsandaskfornothinginreturn.Pleasethankthemwhenyouhavetheopportunity,astheracewouldnotexistwithoutthem.

Appendix

RequiredGearStandard Required Gear

• Clothes suitable for the event (no cotton) • Emergency Blanket • Emergency Whistle • Flasher to be worn for duration of event • Cell Phone (US Cellular network up there) • Lighter • Fire Starter (fuel, fire starter sticks, fire gel, etc.) • Sufficient food and water • Headlamp w/ extra batteries • First Aid Kit • Emergency Bivvy

Extreme Cold Additional Required Gear (forecast -20F wind chill or below) • Full Change of Clothes (pants/tights, long sleeve top, socks) • Free standing shelter (can be pitched with trekking pole(s)).

Mountaineering (4-season) Bivvy is acceptable. • Sleeping bag rated 15F or below

Recommended Gear *Not Required TrekkingPolesExtracellphonebatteryorchargingpackJetboilorsmallcookingstoveBodyglideToiletPaperHand/FeetwarmersGaitersincaseofdeepsnowRainGearExtracellphonebatteryInsulatedwatercontainers

IceAgeTrailDistanceshttp://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/kmn/pdfs/iatdistances.pdf

Kettle Moraine State Forest - Northern UnitIce Age Trail Distances

North to South LocationMiles

BetweenDistance in

Miles South to North LocationMiles

BetweenDistance in

Miles Hwy P Trailhead Hwy H Hwy S 1.00 1.00 Hwy H Trailhead 0.07 0.07 Ridge Road 0.69 1.70 Shelter 1 (Water) 0.16 0.23 Hwy 23 1.18 2.88 Shelter 1 0.15 0.38 IAT / Old Plank Road Trail Intersection (E) 0.01 2.89 Hwy 28 1.57 1.95 IAT / Old Plank Road Trail Intersection (W) 0.56 3.44 Hwy 28 - Parking Lot 0.03 1.98 Old Wade House Trail / IAT Intersection 0.60 4.04 East Moraine Road 1.74 3.72 Hwy A 1.09 5.14 Kettle Moraine Drive 1.02 4.74 Kettle Moraine Drive 1.36 6.50 IAT / New Fane Trail Intersection 0.30 5.04 Greenbush Group Camp 0.13 6.63 Hwy DD 0.65 5.69 Greenbush Picnic Area 0.46 7.09 Hwy S 1.99 7.68 Shelter 5 (Water) 0.44 7.53 Trail Access to Shelter 2 (S) 0.17 7.85 Shelter 5 0.20 7.73 Trail Access to Shelter 2 (N) 0.12 7.97 Hwy 67 1.00 8.73 Mauthe Lake - South Trailhead 1.02 8.99 Shelter 4 2.04 10.77 Mauthe Lake - North Trailhead 0.07 9.06 IAT / Parnell Trail Intersection 0.26 11.02 Hwy GGG 0.73 9.79 Hwy U 0.26 11.28 Hwy SS 2.04 11.83 Scenic Drive 1.75 13.04 Division Road 1.26 13.09 Butler Lake 2.13 15.17 Shelter 3 0.63 13.72 IAT / Butler Lake Trail Intersection 0.36 15.53 IAT / Shelter 3 Access Trail Intersection 0.69 14.41 Hwy F 1.07 16.60 Hwy F 0.65 15.06 IAT / Shelter 3 Access Trail Intersection 0.65 17.25 IAT / Butler Lake Trail Intersection 1.07 16.13 Shelter 3 0.69 17.94 Butler Lake 0.36 16.49 Division Road 0.63 18.57 Scenic Drive 2.13 18.62 Hwy SS 1.26 19.83 Hwy U 1.75 20.37 Hwy GGG 2.04 21.86 IAT / Parnell Trail Intersection 0.26 20.63 Mauthe Lake - North Trailhead 0.73 22.59 Shelter 4 0.26 20.89 Mauthe Lake - South Trailhead 0.07 22.66 Hwy 67 2.04 22.93 Trail Access to Shelter 2 (N) 1.02 23.68 Shelter 5 1.00 23.93 Trail Access to Shelter 2 (S) 0.12 23.80 Shelter 5 (Water) 0.20 24.13 Hwy S 0.17 23.97 Greenbush Picnic Area 0.44 24.57 Hwy DD 1.99 25.97 Greenbush Group Camp 0.46 25.03 IAT / New Fane Trail Intersection 0.65 26.62 Kettle Moraine Drive 0.13 25.16 Kettle Moraine Drive 0.30 26.91 Hwy A 1.36 26.52 East Moraine Road 1.02 27.94 Old Wade House Trail / IAT Intersection 1.09 27.61 Hwy 28 - Parking Lot 1.74 29.68 IAT / Old Plank Road Trail Intersection (W) 0.60 28.21 Hwy 28 0.03 29.71 IAT / Old Plank Road Trail Intersection (E) 0.56 28.77 Shelter 1 1.57 31.28 Hwy 23 0.01 28.78 Shelter 1 (Water) 0.15 31.43 Ridge Road 1.18 29.96 Hwy H Trailhead 0.16 31.58 Hwy S 0.69 30.65 Hwy H 0.07 31.65 Hwy P Trailhead 1.00 31.66

Shelter Nearest Drinking Water Location (Available Year-Round) Shelter Parking Lots Shelter#1 A hand pump well is east of the shelter on the trail near

Hwy H.Hwy H, Shelter #1 Lot #1

#2 .5 mi North of #2 at Mauthe Lake Rec Area EntranceStation.

Mauthe Lake Rec Area at Entrance (Designated FeeArea)

#2

#3 A hand pump well is located 2.5 miles north at Butler LakeTrail Parking Lot.

Division Rd Shelter #3 Lot, South of Hwy F #3

#4 Parnell Tower Parking Lot Parnell Tower Parking Lot (Designated Fee Area) #4#5 A hand pump well on the trail less than 0.5 miles north of

#5.Shelter #5 Lot, South of Greenbush Picnic Area #5

#6 A hand pump well is at the Zillmer Trail Picnic Area. Zillmer Parking Lot (Designated Fee Area) #6

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides equal opportunity in its employment,programs, services, and functions under an Affirmative Action Plan. If you have any questions,please write to Equal Opportunity Office, Department of Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240.

This publication is available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape, etc.) upon request.Please call the Bureau of State Parks for more information (608) 266-0866.

PUB-PR-275 2003