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ConstableCuffe
02-12-2013, 11:07
So I've heard about quite a few of these traditions, but there are two i have questions on.

1. June 21, National Hike Naked Day. How many people actually do this and oh yeah... How on earth is this even legal?!?!?!

2. Half-gallon challenge. I've heard it's either a half-gallon of ice scream or sweet tea. Which is it?

swjohnsey
02-12-2013, 11:11
I did 'em both in one shot, smeared my naked body with a half-gallon of ice cream on June 21st.

fredmugs
02-12-2013, 11:22
It's not legal. I saw two people once. One had a guitar in front of him (no pack) and the other......no comment.

I saw the ice cream challenge but did not participate. Right before I got there (2007?) some guy let the ice cream melt, drank it like a shake, and broke the "record." Woo hoo.

flemdawg1
02-12-2013, 11:27
So I've heard about quite a few of these traditions, but there are two i have questions on.

1. June 21, National Hike Naked Day. How many people actually do this and oh yeah... How on earth is this even legal?!?!?!

2. Half-gallon challenge. I've heard it's either a half-gallon of ice scream or sweet tea. Which is it?

1. Few, but it would probably be pretty easy to get away with due to few hikers seen during the day.

2. Its Ice Cream (eaten at Pine Grove Furnace SP, the AT halfway point), PA doesn't know the secret formula to successfully make good sweet tea.

burrito
02-12-2013, 11:43
picture this,
hairy ,old ,fat dude in a speedo, now remove the speedo:eek:
the 1/2 gallon of icecream is for the massive brain freeze to get that image out of your head:datz

tds1195
02-12-2013, 11:54
picture this,
hairy ,old ,fat dude in a speedo, now remove the speedo:eek:
the 1/2 gallon of icecream is for the massive brain freeze to get that image out of your head:datz

Haha solid logic, burrito.

Karma13
02-12-2013, 15:19
PA doesn't know the secret formula to successfully make good sweet tea.

I'll second this. I've lived in Pennsylvania all my life, and I'm not even sure what "sweet tea" is! :D

tf bear
02-12-2013, 16:08
Saw a thru eat a half gallon in nine minutes. I have never seen a nude hiker ever. For that I am grateful!

bigcranky
02-12-2013, 16:44
Yeah, skip the naked hiking thing. Please.

Having someone complain to law enforcement about ones, er, display, might end very badly in all sorts of ways. (Worst case scenario is a lifetime listing as a sexual predator. Given how that law has been abused, I'm not going to bet against it.)

SCRUB HIKER
02-12-2013, 18:26
2. Half-gallon challenge. I've heard it's either a half-gallon of ice scream or sweet tea. Which is it?

It's ice cream, because there's no sweet tea up in that godless land. Unfortunately, you can't buy half-gallons of Hershey's ice cream anymore (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?73418-Half-gallon-ice-cram-challenge&p=1412673&viewfull=1#post1412673), so the future of that is in doubt.

You might be confusing it with the time that my buddy Manks and I each drank a half-gallon of McDonald's Sweet Tea to go with our 50 Chicken McNuggets apiece at the McDonald's in Erwin, TN. I've mentioned that on WB before I'm sure. If anyone wants to continue this tradition so that it eventually supersedes the defunct half-gallon ice cream challenge, I fully support your efforts.

Pingus
02-12-2013, 18:42
I have a little personal traidition. It is, grab my pack and gear. Enjoy every moment of the hike. Works for me. Smiling.

Hairbear
02-12-2013, 23:39
picture this,
hairy ,old ,fat dude in a speedo, now remove the speedo:eek:
the 1/2 gallon of icecream is for the massive brain freeze to get that image out of your head:datz

Why must i be in a speedo?

gimpat01
02-13-2013, 02:16
The gallon challenge was at the 501 shelter in PA. It's in the movie "TREK" and you have to drink a gallon of whole milk within an hour and keep it down another hour. I was lucky to be there that day(in the movie) but we hiked in right after Sheriff lost his cookies. Basketball Jones literally played BBall all night because of the extra calories.

couscous
02-14-2013, 10:13
19676
Many spoons get broken.

Pedaling Fool
02-14-2013, 10:22
The 1/2 gallon challenge ain't got nothin on this challenge in St Louis http://www.travelchannel.com/video/adam-meets-the-malt-milkshake-challenge-12321


The Crown Candy Kitchen http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_Candy_Kitchen


Crown Candy Kitchen, is a restaurant located on St. Louis Avenue in the Old North St. Louis (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Old_North_St._Louis) neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/St._Louis,_Missouri). The restaurant was founded in 1913 by two Macedonian (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Macedonians_(Greeks))[1] (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/#cite_note-1) immigrants, and is still run by the three grandsons of Harry Karandzieff, Andy, Tommy, and Mike.[2] (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/#cite_note-2) This Saint Louis landmark is the oldest operating soda fountain (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Soda_fountain) in the metro area, and one of the oldest in the country. The restaurant has an old-fashioned decor with a Coca-Cola (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Coca-Cola) memorabilia from the 1930s. It offers a simple menu with sandwiches (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Sandwich) and is best known for its desserts, most especially for its handmade malts (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Malted_milk) or malted milkshakes (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Milkshakes). It is popular as a lunch destination with office workers in nearby Downtown St. Louis.

The restaurant offers a challenge to daring consumers of their trademark malts. Should a person drink five 24-ounce malts or shakes within 30 minutes, they receive the malts for free and have their name inscribed upon a plaque in the store.[3] (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/#cite_note-slpd2-3) The Crown Candy Challenge was attempted on the Travel Channel (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Travel_Channel)'s television series, Man v. Food (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Man_v._Food), by the show's host, Adam Richman (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Adam_Richman_(actor)), on an episode that aired on 25 February 2009.[4] (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/#cite_note-ef1-4) Adam was only able to finish about four of the five malts.[5] (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/#cite_note-5) The record for the five malt challenge is 2 minutes, 29 seconds by Randy Santel.[6] (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/#cite_note-6) For seven malts, the record is six minutes, by Ben Monson.[7] (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/#cite_note-record-7)[8] (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/#cite_note-record2-8) Since 1913, only about 30 people have successfully completed the Crown Candy Challenge, while several attempt it each week.

In 2012, it was featured on another Adam Richman-hosted show, Best Sandwich in America (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/Adam_Richman%27s_Best_Sandwich_in_America), for its "Heart-Stopping BLT (http://www.whiteblaze.net/wiki/BLT)" sandwich, which uses 14 pieces of crispy, kettle-cooked bacon.

Grampie
02-14-2013, 11:03
The only true thru-hiker tradition is to start at one end of the AT and walk to the other in one calender year. All others are just a bunch of crap.

Old Hiker
02-14-2013, 11:25
Ya'll ain't from the South, air ye? It be "swee-tea".

jimmyjam
02-14-2013, 13:30
I thought I saw somewhere-maybe someone's journal?- that there was a place that had like a 2 pound hamburger challenge??

Dogwood
02-14-2013, 15:56
Thru-Hiking Traditions.FINISHING.

on_the_GOEZ
02-14-2013, 16:28
How about the Vermont Maple syrup challenge: chug a quart of maple syrup in 15 minutes.. Some NOBOs (who are all a little coo coo :)) though of this one in 2011.

There is another food challenge in Vermont somewhere, I believe north of the Maine junction: 15 egg omelette, loaded with all the fixings.

Most impossible food challenge: At BeauJo's in Idaho Springs, just east of the CT/CDT in Colorado - Do you have what it takes? (http://www.beaujos.com/colorado-pizza-menu/beaujo-s-challenge/)

Otherwise, what Dogwood said: FINISHING!

on_the_GOEZ
02-14-2013, 16:35
I thought I saw somewhere-maybe someone's journal?- that there was a place that had like a 2 pound hamburger challenge??

I imagine youre thinking of the WhiteHorse (?) Burger challenge in one of the trail towns in Maine. Drawing a blank on the particulars, but basically a 1lb burger loaded with mushrooms, bacon and all the other fixin's with a 1lb of french fries.. Eat 3 of these and you get them free!

jimmyjam
02-14-2013, 16:45
I think you are right. Anyway I remember seeing a picture of guy with a burger about the size of a dinner plate.

bfayer
02-15-2013, 09:20
Thru-Hiking Traditions.FINISHING.


I think that is more of an anomaly, the actual tradition is to drop out somewhere between Neels Gap and Harpers Ferry :)

Since the op brought up hike naked day I though this might be some food for thought:

http://www.wral.com/topless-bill-busts-out-of-committee/12102043/

88BlueGT
02-18-2013, 22:32
The only true thru-hiker tradition is to start at one end of the AT and walk to the other in one calender year. All others are just a bunch of crap.

Sounds to me like someone has lost a few challenges ..... :-?

SCRUB HIKER
02-18-2013, 23:03
I imagine youre thinking of the WhiteHorse (?) Burger challenge in one of the trail towns in Maine. Drawing a blank on the particulars, but basically a 1lb burger loaded with mushrooms, bacon and all the other fixin's with a 1lb of french fries.. Eat 3 of these and you get them free!


It's at the White Wolf Inn in Stratton, ME. Three White Wolf Burgers, each of which are a half-pound patty plus at least that much more in fixings--cheese and mushrooms featured prominently if I remember right. I came in hungry, put down one and was very full. Three would have been impossible. At that time (early September) only six people had completed the challenge so far that year, which tells me that it's a good challenge. No point in calling it a challenge if everyone and their mother can do it (*cough cough, Half-Gallon Challenge).


Sounds to me like someone has lost a few challenges ..... :-?

Uh, yeah. Maybe it shows that I've spent too much time on WhiteBlaze, but anytime someone brings up food challenges, there's always at least one voice who chimes in with, "They're all stupid! Getting up each day and hiking is all the challenge I need!" Those people must be a lot of fun to be around IRL.

fireneck
02-19-2013, 00:07
So I've heard about quite a few of these traditions, but there are two i have questions on.

1. June 21, National Hike Naked Day. How many people actually do this and oh yeah... How on earth is this even legal?!?!?!


Did it in Vermont this year. Had a bandana tucked into my hip belt if anyone came by. It's completely legal in Vermont.

Dogwood
02-19-2013, 03:58
I think that is more of an anomaly, the actual tradition is to drop out somewhere between Neels Gap and Harpers Ferry :)

Since the op brought up hike naked day I though this might be some food for thought:

http://www.wral.com/topless-bill-busts-out-of-committee/12102043/

LOL. While that's true for the AT it depends on what trail your on and in what circles you normally associate.

Lone Wolf
02-19-2013, 06:25
AT tradition. walking the Creeper trail out of Damascus. for many it's their first blue-blaze

OzJacko
02-19-2013, 07:08
AT tradition. walking the Creeper trail out of Damascus. for many it's their first blue-blaze
...and is this an "acceptable" blue blaze, or does it incur the wrath of the "oldtimers" for it's lack of purity??

Lone Wolf
02-19-2013, 07:13
...and is this an "acceptable" blue blaze, or does it incur the wrath of the "oldtimers" for it's lack of purity??

there are no "acceptable" blue-blazes according to purists. must be tough being so anal :cool:

fireneck
02-22-2013, 01:03
there are no "acceptable" blue-blazes according to purists. must be tough being so anal :cool:

Of the blue blazes I took the Creeper was by far the best! Easy hiking (slit up hill) and a meandering creek.... wonderful.

Grampie
02-22-2013, 11:49
Who makes up so called hiker traditions? I think that many of the so called traditions are made up by boared hikers sitting around a fire at night and go no further than that. As I said before," the only AT tridition is walking to Maine."

Ox97GaMe
02-23-2013, 01:04
I dont know if you would call them 'traditions'. There are a lot of things that hikers hear about from previous year (or many years) and decide they want to do them too. And there are several places on the trail that have hiker 'challenges'. I wouldnt exactly call them traditions, more like options.

Here is a list of some that I have heard about....

- carry a small rock from one terminus to the other
- hike mileage equal to your age on your birthday
- 4 state challenge... start in VA and hike ~40 miles and finish in PA
- Full moon and/or Summer solstice night hike
- 50 mile challenge... Kincora to Damascus in a single day
- Half Gallon challenge... eat a half gallon ice cream IronHorse Manor PA
- blueberry pancage challenge.. Andover ME
- Vermonstor challenge.. any Ben and Jerry's store in Vermont can provide all the details

vamelungeon
02-23-2013, 07:11
I find the "hike naked" thing just a little creepy.

bfayer
02-23-2013, 08:04
I find the "hike naked" thing just a little creepy.

No kidding.

Lone Wolf
02-23-2013, 08:29
I find the "hike naked" thing just a little creepy.

only creepy guys do it. you never see gorgeous females doing it.

Furlough
02-23-2013, 09:21
only creepy guys do it. you never see gorgeous females doing it.

Reminds of a shelter log i was reading through a few years back in SNP, Guy said "thankfully I saw no nude hikers yesterday, but did see three ladies at one of the overlooks who I wish were hiking nude."

louisb
02-23-2013, 09:43
The 96er.

--louis

ConstableCuffe
02-23-2013, 09:46
Thanks everyone for all the info. I've got a little leather journal with a bunch of info in it and much of these are going in it. And I do agree with some people that the only tradition is to actually finish. Although when it's you and the same two people talking everyday for months you run out of things to say. So some interesting things had better happen or your in for a boring time lol

rickb
02-23-2013, 10:07
there are no "acceptable" blue-blazes according to purists. must be tough being so anal :cool:

You are bit mixed up. It's the ATC that has the issue with blue blazes-- at least with regard to that organization's 2,000miler recognition.

Here is what the ATC tells hikers and then literally asks them to sign a document telling them you have hiked the Trail to their standard:


"In the event of a trail closure or a safety hazard (such as a swollen stream, a forest fire, or an impending storm on an exposed ridge) hikers may take alternate routes (including by vehicle) and still receive official 2,000-miler recognition."

Pedaling Fool
02-23-2013, 10:11
You are bit mixed up. It's the ATC that has the issue with blue blazes-- at least with regard to that organization's 2,000miler recognition.

Here is what the ATC tells hikers and then literally asks them to sign a document telling them you have hiked the Trail to their standard:


"In the event of a trail closure or a safety hazard (such as a swollen stream, a forest fire, or an impending storm on an exposed ridge) hikers may take alternate routes (including by vehicle) and still receive official 2,000-miler recognition."

So the ATC and their 2,000-miler program is to blame for the sickening behavior of needing to pass every single white blaze.;)

Ox97GaMe
02-23-2013, 11:54
So some interesting things had better happen or your in for a boring time lol

That is one thing you wont have to worry about. Almost every day some hiker will do something that will be entertaining. You will see and hear things that make you want to say 'Seriously?'. This is especially true in the first 200 miles while many of the hikers are still green and trying to figure out everything from how to set up their tent to how to pack their gear to cooking meals. Many a trail name has been given as a result of 'interesting' actions. Your goal is to not get a trail name by this means. :)

Have a great hike.

Teacher & Snacktime
02-23-2013, 16:41
It's ice cream, because there's no sweet tea up in that godless land. Unfortunately, you can't buy half-gallons of Hershey's ice cream anymore (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?73418-Half-gallon-ice-cram-challenge&p=1412673&viewfull=1#post1412673), so the future of that is in doubt.

You might be confusing it with the time that my buddy Manks and I each drank a half-gallon of McDonald's Sweet Tea to go with our 50 Chicken McNuggets apiece at the McDonald's in Erwin, TN. I've mentioned that on WB before I'm sure. If anyone wants to continue this tradition so that it eventually supersedes the defunct half-gallon ice cream challenge, I fully support your efforts.

Please, don't even suggest that the Ice Cream Challenge is defunct. It's the chief motivation for getting Snacktime out on the trail!

Teacher & Snacktime
02-23-2013, 16:50
I dont know if you would call them 'traditions'. There are a lot of things that hikers hear about from previous year (or many years) and decide they want to do them too. And there are several places on the trail that have hiker 'challenges'. I wouldnt exactly call them traditions, more like options.

Here is a list of some that I have heard about....

- carry a small rock from one terminus to the other
- hike mileage equal to your age on your birthday
- 4 state challenge... start in VA and hike ~40 miles and finish in PA
- Full moon and/or Summer solstice night hike
- 50 mile challenge... Kincora to Damascus in a single day
- Half Gallon challenge... eat a half gallon ice cream IronHorse Manor PA
- blueberry pancage challenge.. Andover ME
- Vermonstor challenge.. any Ben and Jerry's store in Vermont can provide all the details

Since the summer solstice is on or around June 21, should you do the night hike naked? Seems to me that would be kindest to the daytime hikers.

ConstableCuffe
02-25-2013, 22:37
That is one thing you wont have to worry about. Almost every day some hiker will do something that will be entertaining. You will see and hear things that make you want to say 'Seriously?'. This is especially true in the first 200 miles while many of the hikers are still green and trying to figure out everything from how to set up their tent to how to pack their gear to cooking meals. Many a trail name has been given as a result of 'interesting' actions. Your goal is to not get a trail name by this means. :)

Have a great hike.

To be completely honest that will be us. We've already learned a few lessons on some of our conditioning hikes

Canam
02-27-2013, 13:22
Who makes up so called hiker traditions? I think that many of the so called traditions are made up by boared hikers sitting around a fire at night and go no further than that. As I said before," the only AT tridition is walking to Maine."

Grumpie

am I right?

WingedMonkey
02-27-2013, 15:00
It's a thru-Hiking tradition to carry everything you need through the 100 mile wilderness.

But to do that you have to hike the 100 mile wilderness.

:sun

RockDoc
02-27-2013, 23:57
The only true thru-hiker tradition is to start at one end of the AT and walk to the other in one calender year. All others are just a bunch of crap.

That sums up my feelings too, Grampie! But then I was unimpressed by Macaphee knob too, and wouldn't do a photo there. Just because everyone else does it is not a good enough reason for me to do it. And the heck with glorified gluttony.

scope
02-28-2013, 11:44
only creepy guys do it. you never see gorgeous females doing it.

Well, you never see gorgeous females on the trail. Hmmm, maybe that's why.


I did 'em both in one shot, smeared my naked body with a half-gallon of ice cream on June 21st.

Does this not sound like a wildlife incident waiting to happen?

Lone Wolf
02-28-2013, 15:16
Well, you never see gorgeous females on the trail. Hmmm, maybe that's why.


obviously you haven't spent much time on the AT

Sly
02-28-2013, 16:19
You are bit mixed up. It's the ATC that has the issue with blue blazes-- at least with regard to that organization's 2,000miler recognition.

Here is what the ATC tells hikers and then literally asks them to sign a document telling them you have hiked the Trail to their standard:


"In the event of a trail closure or a safety hazard (such as a swollen stream, a forest fire, or an impending storm on an exposed ridge) hikers may take alternate routes (including by vehicle) and still receive official 2,000-miler recognition."


2000-Milers (and official recognition as such from the ATC) and thru-hikers are three different things.

slowfeet
03-06-2013, 16:48
it is tough being an anal purist.....
but, in the end it was worth it.

not a tradition AFAIK, but, I will mention the "4 State Challenge"


there are no "acceptable" blue-blazes according to purists. must be tough being so anal :cool:

bfayer
03-06-2013, 18:13
it is tough being an anal purist.....
but, in the end it was worth it.


In what ways was it worth it?