Hikers dig into the half-gallon challenge at the Pine Grove Furnace store on Tuesday, July 18, 2023.
Jeremy Long / WITF
1,000+ miles down, 1,000+ to go; time for ice cream on the Appalachian Trail
-
Rachel McDevitt/StateImpact Pennsylvania
Jeremy Long / WITF
Hikers dig into the half-gallon challenge at the Pine Grove Furnace store on Tuesday, July 18, 2023.
Of the few thousand people who attempt to through-hike the more than 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail each year, only about a quarter finish.
So, reaching the halfway point–which roughly falls in Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Cumberland County–is a cause for celebration.
Through-hikers mark their accomplishment with yet another challenge–eating a half gallon of ice cream in one sitting.
WITF caught up with a few hikers taking part in the trail tradition.
Jeremy Long / WITF
An Appalachian Trail hiker’s pack sits at the Pine Grove Furnace store on Tuesday, July 18, 2023.
-
- Hikers who complete the half gallon challenge at the Pine Grove Furnace store get a commemorative wooden spoon, seen here on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (Jeremy Long/WITF)
-
- Austin “Fun Facts” Miller, 27, of Omaha, Nebraska displays his trail tag on his pack, seen at the Pine Grove Furnace store on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (Jeremy Long/WITF)
-
- A hiker box with useful items at the Pine Grove Furnace store on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (Jeremy Long/WITF)
Listen to the story:
Neil “Happy Feet” Postal, 24, of Virginia Beach, Virginia taught motorcycle safety courses before starting on the trail. Postal said they had very little hiking experience before setting out on the 6-month trip.
-
- Neil “Happy Feet” Postal, 24, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, an Appalachian Trail through-hiker, takes on the half gallon challenge at the Pine Grove Furnace store on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (Jeremy Long/WITF)
-
- Neil “Happy Feet” Postal, 24, of Virginia Beach, Virginia heads back to the trail after completing the half-gallon challenge at the Pine Grove Furnace store on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (Jeremy Long/WITF)
Andrew “Magic Falcon” Chang, 40, is a chef from New York City. He said there was one “smart choice” of ice cream flavor to attempt the half-gallon challenge.
-
- Andrew “Magic Falcon” Chang, 40, of New York City, New York picks out his ice cream for the half-gallon challenge at the Pine Grove Furnace store on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (Jeremy Long/WITF)
-
- Andrew “Magic Falcon” Chang, 40, of New York City, New York takes part in the half gallon challenge at the Pine Grove Furnace store on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (Jeremy Long/WITF)
Yvette “Milkweed” Furnia, 36, of Orange County, New York is a former science teacher and fourth generation egg farmer. She said she was first inspired to hike the trail while in college.
-
- Yvette “Milkweed” Furnia, 36, of Orange County, New York mixes up a creamsicle for the half gallon challenge at the Pine Grove Furnace store on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (Jeremy Long/WITF)
-
- Yvette “Milkweed” Furnia, 36, of Orange County, New York takes part in the half gallon challenge at the Pine Grove Furnace store on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (Jeremy Long/WITF)
Alan “Legoman” Dwyer, 36, works in IT for the New Hampshire Air National Guard. For his ice cream flavor, he chose a taste of home–maple walnut.
-
- Alan “Legoman” Dwyer, 36, of New Hampshire holds the door for the Hershey’s Ice Cream delivery man at the Pine Grove Furnace store on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (Jeremy Long/WITF)
-
- Alan “Legoman” Dwyer, 36, of New Hampshire pays for his half gallon of ice cream at the Pine Grove Furnace store on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (Jeremy Long/WITF)
Jeremy Long / WITF
Photos of Appalachian Trail hikers who completed the half-gallon challenge are displayed at the Pine Grove Furnace store on Tuesday, July 18, 2023.
A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.
