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Pile Challenge

Every year (almost), the Saunders lab gets together and organizes the Pile Challenge. Contestants gamble on the melting date of a large pile of snow that is created near the biology building. You can check out the rules below.

Wow. That's all I can say - wow. The excitement never stops around here, let me tell you. Between phylogenetic analyses and thwarting Susan from melting the pile with her (rather inspired) bench top ethanol flamethrower, it's been quite an afternoon. In the end, by 5 o'clock the pile had expired all on it's own which means our winners of the 2009 Pile Challenge are Heather McCracken, Stephan Koenig and Susan Clayden!! We had 39 participants this year, with the usual few non-payers and small paypal charges, making the grand total in the pot $162! Each of our winners will receive $54. Not too shabby.

Now, before I get 14 replies suspiciously wondering how Stephan won two years in a row and who actually judged the final melting date - I had an impartial second judge (Catharine Holland). We run a legit operation here at the Snowological Centre. Shenanigans are strictly prohibited.

I would send another picture, but my photographer went swimming. Besides, it looks just like the last picture, only there's no tiny ice crystals and more tiny puddles.

April 22: As of 2pm today, the pile was still clinging to life, but just barely!! Will it survive to 5pm (official judging time)?? Will Charlene, Katy and Dion triumph over Susan, Stephan and Heather?! Who knows! Stay tuned.

April 20: Tensions were high yesterday as there were FOUR people with that date and a very teeny pile still clinging to life. Pile security was stepped up after Jason Hallet was seen in the parking lot with a kettle of boiling water and a suspiciously nonchalant attitude. Nice try Jason - electric kettles belong on the inside of buildings.

April 20: The pile could expire any day now and there are A LOT of people with dates this week. Interestingly, no one chose April 22, 26 or 27, BUT with Price is Right rules in effect, the winner will be the closest previous date, so people with the 21st really have two dates and the people with the 25th really have three! Does April have 31 days? No, my labmates are nodding "no". Nevermind. Which day will it melt? Only the sun knows for sure.

April 20: As the challenge comes to a close, pile molestation is at it's peak so we placed our wacky friend, Dr. P Head at the scene.

April 16: We're leaving tomorrow for NEAS so hopefully the pile will wait until we return to melt. The snow is slowly becoming an amalgamation of dirt and road gravel. Who will win this year?

April 10: The pile is going fast and the trash is quickly appearing around the pile!
April 13th
Brittany Graham
Sarah Hamsher*
April 15th
Rick Cunjak
Dan McDevit
Kurt Herrmann
April 17th
Eric Merzetti
Tiffany Thornhill
April 18th
Kurt Samways
Pat
April 19th
Line LeGall
Jason Addison
April 20th
Meghann Bruce
Jason Hallet
Bridgette Clarkston*
Nicolas Blouin
Norishige Yotsukura
April 21st
Heather McCracken
Susan Clayden
Stephan Koenig
April 23rd
Charlene Mayes
Katy Hind
Dion Durnford
April 24th
Catharine Holland
Allison Schein
Janice Lawrence
Andrew Rees
Bethany Herrmann
April 25th
Hana Kucera
Matt Lemay
Steve Heard
Gary Saunders
April 28th
Tanya Moore
Craig Schneider
Chris Lane
April 29th
Kathryn Roy
Mauela Parente
April 30th
Jiri Kucera
Daniela Milstein
May 1st
Julie Ryu
May 10th
Marina Morabito
May 2nd
Meghan MacAfee
May 3rd
Andrew Blakney

The pile baseline on March 25th. Get your bets in now! Don't forget, it has snowed in the last few days so think carefully about your date!

 

  

WELCOME to the 2009 Pile Challenge, Piled Higher and Deeper! In true pile style, all bets must be recieved by Apri 1, 2009. Your bets and chocolate bribes will be received by Official Pile Officers, Clarkston or Hamsher in Room 270 or by email at: bridgette.clarkston(at)unb.ca.

Offical Rules


Bets are $5, winner/s 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. Days can be shared be several individuals, with the winnings split between them.

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 April 1 (5:00PM AST). 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.