Midway up the Appalachian Trail, a little country store in Gardners, Pennsylvania, invites hikers to take on an additional challenge: eating a half-gallon of ice cream in one sitting.

Former Times Union writer Darryl McGrath channels grief from death of her husband, Jim McGrath, in writing "The Message Catcher" and hiking Appalachian Trail.

Appalachian Trail thru-hiker Sam Cooper, trail name Pie Top, attempts the half-gallon ice cream challenge at Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

Appalachian Trail thru-hiker Sam Cooper, trail name Pie Top, attempts the half-gallon ice cream challenge at Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

Midway up the Appalachian Trail, a little country store in Gardners, Pennsylvania, invites hikers to take on an additional challenge: eating a half-gallon of ice cream in one sitting. So far this ...

This actually happened in McGrath's life. Her best friend, Ellen, was doing the Appalachian Trail in sections and brought McGrath along hoping the physical activity might be a good way to heal.

Appalachian Trail thru-hiker Sam Cooper, trail name Pie Top, poses for a photo after completing the half-gallon ice cream challenge at Pine Grove … Appalachian Trail thru-hiker Sam Cooper, trail ...

Amity Gaige borrows from the tragedy of the AT hiker known as 'Inchworm,' but the novel tells a very different story.

In addition to Smarts Mountain, the Appalachian Trail covers most of the Presidential Range, offering more miles above ...

A British woman hiking the Appalachian Trail suffered a fall and self-rescued, New Hampshire authorities said. Getty Images/iStockphoto A bleeding 67-year-old hiker on the Appalachian Trail sent ...