We Used AI to Invent a Bunch of Trail Names for Thru-Hikers and the Results Are, Well, Something.
This article originally appeared on Trail_Runner
Receiving your trail name is a time-honored ritual for thru-hikers. Whether someone else presents it to you or you come up with it yourself, your new moniker is what your new friends will call you for months, and probably beyond: Some of Backpacker's authors still use theirs when they write.
But what if you're just not a creative person? Never fear: Technology has come to the rescue. We fed more than 2,000 real Appalachian Trail hikers' trail names, obtained from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy's list of finishers, into three different neural networks and asked them to invent some new ones. The results ranged from believable to, well...we'll just let you see for yourself. Here are 70 of our favorites, arranged from least to most weird.
I Think I Know That Guy!
These are plausible. Mostly, anyway.
Chins
Mood Bars
Threat Bear
Walmart Eye
No Probation
Giggler
Captain Goat
Tijuanadile
Sour Pony
Snake Check
The Turkey
Coach Bum
Lady Lovin'
Skittle Red
Trash Monk
Midwest Abe
Moontoon
Billy Bear
Wondertoe
RELATED: Why Do So Many Thru-Hikers Become Trail Runners?
The Trail Angels Will Definitely Remember This One
We're getting into the slightly weirder ones now. On the plus side, you'll probably be the only Alan Toot in the trail register.
Sheet Caper
Buttly
Deadcar
The Hard
Alan Toot
Mad Sing
Pileman
The Bore
Goon Wand
Baldy Band
Van Wind
Olive Breaks
Old May
Butter Esq.
The Malty
Leaf Picket
Summitments
Big Tag Tall
Ed Keys
Sir End
Quiet Peters
Pushbaby
Bleepy Fox
Snail Blue
Edward Hog
Moo Boo
Yard Shin
Big Ten Bear
Oranger Dog
Sure Wizard
Pit Boy
Cold Canada
Pooh Beast
Urgent Daddy
RELATED: GPS – And Other Devices – Aren’t For Everyone
Who Needs Words, Anyway?
Language is constantly in flux. Who knows, maybe in 100 years, "Groocher Doos" will mean something profound.
Humbo Sows
Mad Barder
Goon Doot
Nondles
Squeech
Busto
Starky Buck
Zing Ban
Groocher Doos
Thumbles
Wobbittler
Spidentley
Compasspork
Coughbrew
Eighting Dog
Turd Furgers
Beergers
This piece originally appeared on backpacker.com
For exclusive access to all of our fitness, gear, adventure, and travel stories, plus discounts on trips, events, and gear, sign up for Outside+ today.