The IRONBULL / Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge: Winter Edition

The fifth annual Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge – Winter Edition returns to Merrill.  The event requires racers to navigate the secret course revealed on race day using a map and compass.  

“The Merrill area offers so many outdoor opportunities to explore beautiful hardwood forests,” said Andrea Larson, co-race director.  “The expanse makes me feel like an explorer, discovering pockets of gems despite being a lifelong Central Wisconsin resident.”

The Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge – Winter Edition consists of a beginner-friendly course where GPS is allowed and an advanced course to appeal to a range of outdoor enthusiasts. Racers trek on and off trail along with the option to bike to an additional trek.  Each year, the event includes a special challenge.  

This year’s course will be headquartered at Merrill School Forest.  Beyond that, racers can only speculate if they will see Grandfather Falls, check out the Cordwood Education Center, trek on the Ice Age Trail, or visit another gem along the Wisconsin River.  The radius of the event can be quite large, especially in years when racers are shuttled to a remote location then must work their way back to the finish line.

This event falls in line with IRONBULL’s mission to create year-round challenges for all ages and abilities, proving to be a gateway to adventure racing.  This year is no exception, with about half of participants racing in their first or second ever adventure race, up from 37% last year.  Additionally, the event has a family division, modeled after its parent event, the Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge, which had a record 31 families participating earlier this year.  IRONBULL’s events highlight outdoor amenities which draw visitors from outside the area.  Last year, 71% of Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge – Winter Edition racers travelled beyond 90 miles for the event.

Part of the appeal may be that the event is versatile to handle a variety of weather conditions including snow or no snow, akin to the adventure racing community as a whole.  The winter element also provides easier access to areas that may be wet during the remainder of the year.  Although racers won’t be slogging through mosquito-infested bogs, they may be slowed or even lured off course due to snow.  “Snow may provide teams evidence where other teams have travelled, but blindly following footprints may lead to getting quite offtrack,” warns Tracy Major, a prior participant before taking on the role of co-race director.

This event closes out the season for the 2025 Wisconsin Adventure Racing Series, with participants racing multiple events recognized post-race.  To ensure safety and equality for all participants, the Rib Mountain Adventure Challenge – Winter Edition is sanctioned by the United States Adventure Racing Association (USARA) which is a nation-wide governing body of adventure racing.

Event Details:
– Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
– Location: Merrill School Forest, Merrill, WI