About 50 Appalachian Trail Hikers Complete Pennsylvania Ice Cream Challenge

The Pine Grove Furnace General Store in Gardners, Pennsylvania, has long been a popular halfway point for Appalachian Trail thru-hikers, who partake in a challenging ice cream eating contest involving a half-gallon of ice cream. Sam Cooper, a 32-year-old dairy farmer, described the experience as "pure misery" despite completing the 2,500 calorie challenge after trekking 7 miles through rain-soaked terrain. The challenge, which started over 40 years ago, is a well-known topic among hikers as they traverse the trail, with others like Stephan Berens and Zeke Meddock also participating and sharing their experiences. Trail experts note that hikers may require up to 6,000 calories daily due to the physical demands of carrying supplies over rugged terrain, highlighting the practical and nutritional challenges faced during thru-hikes. Meanwhile, an inspiring story mentions a woman who attempted to thru-hike the trail in 1975 but stopped short due to winter and blisters, and now plans to complete the journey in 2025, marking the 50th anniversary of her first attempt. These stories underscore the physical tests and personal milestones associated with hiking the Appalachian Trail.