Pile Challenge

Pile Update: April 24, 2002

Well, it has happened, the pile has melted! We need to get one thing out of the way here:

Susan Clayden narrowly missed her day, sorry Susan. In preparation for declaring the winner, lets look at the final picture of the pile:

And in accordance with the rules of the pile contest, here is the pile-test in action:

The awards ceremony occurred earlier this morning, here are the photos:

Chris Lane, PEO (Pile Executive Officer), awards OHotA (One Horseman of the Apilecalypse) the $50 prize for correctly predicting the day of pile meltation.

Rodney Withall, VPPO (Vice President of Pile Operations) also offers Andre his congratulations.

OHotA celebrates.

Now Andre can pay Al Curry for his B.E.E.R.S. tab. Congratulations Andre, your foot will appear on top of the pile, to kick off Pile Challenge 2003. Thanks to all who entered, you are all true Pilers.

Pile Update: April 16, 2002
Down, down, down, the pile is going down! Down, down, down, the pile is going down!

We have experienced unprecedented levels of meltage over the past week. It has rained buckets, and the temperatures have been steady, topping in the high teens. This may be the last week of the pile! You can expect updates on every day that someone falls, or on the "A-pile-calypse" (the day of final meltage). As for our standings, here is a summary:

Will Haseeb be the next to fall? In conversation with Haseeb, he was heard to say "It's a done deal. Just give me the money now.". We'll see Haseeb, we'll see. Rodney Withall was overheard saying "If I gits me tha munny, ah'm gonna be buyin me a toasta."

Susan and Andre are next after Haseeb. Will the Pile hold out?

Here is is the latest photo of the pile!

Pile Update: April 09, 2002
The Saunders Lab and its pile-associated colleagues have been involved in a number of round table discussion about the best predictor of pile life-span. Is it the height of the pile, or is it the girth of the pile? Chris, an avid proponent of girth-based predictions was overhead saying, "Girth is a multidimensional property of piles. I take a holistic approach to life, and to me that includes pile prediction. There's really no other way to look at it.". Colin feels that a combination of pile density, snow : sand ratio, and a curvilinear relationship between pile height and girth will yield the most likely prediction. He was overheard saying, "Uhhh... which snow pile are we talking about?...". Nevertheless, the deadline for bets has been passed for almost a month, so all of these discussions are essentially moot.

The pile itself has seen better days. Meltation is proceeding as expected, despite periodic bouts of snow. Charlene Mayes has only a week left before she could possibly fall at the feet of the mighty Haseeb. Here is the latest pile photo:

Pile Update: April 02, 2002
Zoiks Scoob, like run. The pile is now melting faster than the speed of light. As you know, pile dynamics are a complex issue: last week it looked as though the pile would double in size, this week its been cut in half. 3 days of mild temperatures and tropical-style rain have reversed our time machine. Looks like we are in the running for a heated battle at the end of April. (Although no actual heating will be allowed...)

For your interest, I have included here a series of pile-related links:

The Game Pile

Pile Buck

Randy Pile (my personal favourite link)

the Scrap Pile

Pile Driver

Pile Update: March 27th, 2002
Can someone say "time machine"? Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks as if we are headed back into winter! We received another 15cm of snow last night, which is now being topped off by a heavy rainfall warning. Things are messy folks, messy indeed.

As for the betting, Charlene is not out yet, but things aren't looking good! Who knows, perhaps some sort of meltation miracle will save her. Keep checking this web page for next weeks episode of "As the Pile Turns".

Pile Update: March 21st, 2002

Whoah!!! Hold the phone! As we all arrive at UNB today, we are greeted with a major twist to the Pile Challenge 2002. It has snowed at least six inches overnight, adding a substantial volume to the pile. Who knows what will happen when the plow comes by!?! Things aren't looking so good for Charlene Mayes, whilst Todd Harper has a new lease on life! Rumors about Todd's use of a voodoo snow dance are yet to be confirmed.

For you newcomers to the Pile Challenge, we here in the Saunders Lab do not feel that additional snow added to the pile by the plow constitutes pile molestation. The pile was created by the plow, so snow addition is considered a natural occurrence in the life of a typical snow pile. Round and round and round she goes, where the pile stops, no one knows!! The Saunders Lab Pile Challenge is definitely a roller coaster ride...

Pile Update: March 19th, 2002

Ladies and gentlemen, variety is the spice of life, so a bird's eye view is presented

Pile Update: March 18th, 2002

We have passed the deadline for placement of bets. Here is a summary of contestants:

Person

Date

Charlene Mayes

March 23

Haseeb Randhawa

April 16

Susan Clayden

April 19

Andre Breton

April 20

Rodney Withall

April 21

Chris Lane

April 22

Colin Bates

April 24

P Joel Ross

April 25

Megan Lane

April 26

Karen Murray

April 27

Virginia Lehmkuhl

April 30

Todd Harper

May 7

Wow, its going to be a close race if we get past April 19th! The total in the kitty is $60.

I will post another picture of the pile tomorrow...

Pile Update: March 12, 2002.

- Its hard to tell if anything has changed, despite some warmer weather.

- Yes, that's snow falling today.

- The bets are 'piling up' too, we'll have 55$ in the pot after everyone submits their dough.

- 3 days left to enter!!!

Here's the latest image of the pile:

Bets are $5, winner takes all! Please make sure that you understand the following rules:

1. Pile judging will occur at 5pm (AST) daily, until the pile is gone. "Gone" is defined as "being able to touch ground with one's finger, through the epicenter of the former pile, without encountering snow or ice.

2. Pile molestation, in any form, is absolutely unacceptable. This includes (but is not limited to) salting, urination, stomping, giant magnifying glasses, heavy breathing, setting fires on or near the pile, spreading the snow, addition of foreign substances, automobile impact etc. Everyone is on the honor system for this one.

3. We follow a "Price Is Right" line of reasoning - the closest date without going over is the winner.

4. No prior knowledge of other people's guesses is allowed when making a bet. Picking your day is on a first come, first served basis - get your bet in asap!

The status of pile can be remotely checked on this web page. Photographic updates will be available weekly, until "crunch time", at which point daily photos will be posted.

Bets will be accepted until March 15th. If you are not in New Brunswick, please email us to reserve your day.

A summary of the bets will be placed on this website, then the fun begins! Best of luck to all who enter.

Previous winners:

2001- K. Virginia Lehmkuhl (April 30th, 2001)

2000 - we have to check. Either Chris or Todd.