How many crates for milk crate challenge?

The milk crate challenge is a viral trend that started in 2021 where people stack milk crates in a pyramid shape and attempt to walk up and down them. The stacks are often very unstable and high, leading to many failed attempts and falls. A key question around milk crate stacking is how many crates should be used for the challenge? This depends on several factors.

What is the milk crate challenge?

The milk crate challenge involves stacking plastic milk crates in a pyramid shape, often 6 to 8 crates high. The goal is to walk up one side and down the other side successfully without the stack toppling over. It originated as a viral internet challenge, gaining popularity on social media sites like TikTok and Instagram in 2021. Participants often have spotters to try to help stabilize the crates and catch the person if they fall.

Dangers of the milk crate challenge

The challenge can be extremely dangerous. Crates are not secure footing and often slide and topple over. Falling from that height poses risks of serious injuries like broken bones, head injuries, spinal injuries, and more. Many participants have ended up needing medical care after failed attempts. The crates themselves could cause lacerations and bruises if they land on the person.

Some key dangers include:

– Falling 6-8 feet onto concrete, grass or other hard surfaces
– Crates collapsing and falling onto the person
– Head, neck and spinal injuries from awkward landings
– Broken bones in the arms, legs, ankles from the falls
– Concussions
– Abrasions and bruises from crates

Some hospitals reported surges in ER admissions for injuries related to the challenge when it was trending. Due to the high risks and injuries, many police departments and health agencies issued warnings against participating in the milk crate challenge.

Factors impacting number of crates

There are several factors that impact how many milk crates should be stacked for the challenge:

Height of the person – Taller people may be able to stack more crates while shorter people may need fewer crates stacked to equal the same relative height.

Physical strength and fitness level – Stronger and more fit participants may have an easier time stabilizing more crates. Weaker participants may topple quicker with more crates. Core and leg strength helps stabilize.

Weight of the person – Heavier persons create more downward force which can topple crates easier. Lighter persons exert less force.

Size of milk crates – The standard crate size is about 13x13x11 inches but sizes can vary slightly. Larger crates are harder to stabilize.

Pyramid shape – More stable pyramid shapes may allow more crates versus columns.

Spotters – Having spotters on each side can help stabilize higher stacks. No spotters limits crates.

Surface – Flat, smooth surfaces are more stable than uneven ground. Wet or slick surfaces reduce stability.

Sobriety – Being intoxicated greatly increases chances of falling and injury.

Skill level – Beginners should limit crates while experienced individuals may stack more.

Crates per row – Starting with 2 or 3 crates on the bottom row and adding 1 crate per row as the height increases is a common approach.

Challenges of balancing milk crates

There are several factors that make milk crates challenging to balance and walk on:

– Milk crates provide an unstable surface – They are designed to slide and stack together smoothly, not serve as secure footing. The rounded edges and smooth plastic offer minimal grip or traction.

– The pyramid shape is vertically unstable – As a person walks up one side, their weight and downward force causes the crates to slide outwards and topple the stack. The pyramid geometry makes it prone to falling over.

– Minimal contact points between crates – With only 4 small contact points between stacked crates, there is little friction holding them together horizontally against sliding forces.

– Difficulty maintaining center of mass over the base – As a person moves up the pyramid, their center of mass rises higher and can move outside the small base of support at the top crates. This leverage can easily cause toppling.

– Changes in momentum at the top – Transitioning from walking upwards to downwards at the top involves stopping upward momentum and reversing direction, which shifts the forces on the crates.

– Lack of railings or handholds – The person has nothing to grab onto for support and balance. Their arms must remain outstretched to try to maintain stability.

The combined challenges lead to a very unstable structure that requires precision, balance, strength and skill to walk up and down without falling. Most participants fail on their first attempts.

Recommended number of milk crates

In general, most experts recommend limiting the milk crate pyramid to 4-6 crates in height for a safer challenge. This involves starting with a 2 or 3 crate base row and adding a crate per row as the height increases.

For beginners, limiting the stack to just 4 crates total is advisable to get a feel for the instability and technique required. 4 crates reaches a maximum height of around 4 feet for a reasonable challenge.

For intermediate skill levels, 5-6 crates in a pyramid is reasonable for most average adults. This reaches approximately 6-7 feet at the peak while minimizing excessive risk. Lighter participants may be able to handle 6 crates at about 7 feet maximum height.

It is not recommended stacking crates any higher than 6-7 crates maximum due to the exponentially increased risk of grave injuries from falls above 7 feet. Severe injuries become almost guaranteed at such heights.

Here is a table estimating advisable crate heights based on skill level:

Skill Level Number of Crates Approximate Height
Beginner 3-4 3-4 feet
Intermediate 5-6 5-7 feet
Advanced 6-7 (not advised) 7-8 feet (not advised)

When in doubt, always err on the side of fewer crates. It is far safer to succeed with a lower pyramid first and gradually work up higher rather than attempting the maximum height on the initial try. Smaller heights still pose a fun challenge without nearly the degree of risk involved in towering stacks.

Other safety tips

If participating in the milk crate challenge, there are some other safety tips to consider:

– Use spotters on each side to help stabilize the crates and assist if you fall. Make sure spotters are strong enough to catch and support you.

– Clear the surrounding area of any hazards or objects you could potentially fall on. Falling on concrete or furniture can increase injuries. Grass or dirt is softer.

– Do not attempt while intoxicated or impaired, which impairs balance and judgement.

– Start small and work your way up. Don’t attempt the maximum height on your first try. Get a feel first.

– Wear protective clothing like long sleeves, pants, gloves and a helmet to prevent scrapes and absorb some impact if you fall.

– Tape together crates at each row for a more stable stack.

– Have a friend slowly remove crates from the bottom if toppling rather than falling with the stack.

– Use rubber mats or non-slip surfaces against the bottom crates to reduce sliding.

– Keep arms outstretched for balance and avoid carrying objects.

– Maintain good physical conditioning and slowly work up to higher stacks. Don’t attempt beyond your abilities.

Alternatives to the standard challenge

If interested in a milk crate challenge with lower risks, some alternatives include:

– Using wooden crates which are more stable and offer better grip if available. Plastic crates are very slippery.

– Trying with 1-2 crates at ground level to get a sense of the instability before stacking.

– Creating a pyramid on the ground rather than walking up it. This removes the falling hazard.

– Using spotters to help support a person’s weight and stabilize crates while attempting the walk.

– Simply standing on 1-2 crates stacked for an extended time period to improve balance skills.

– Building a pyramid against a sturdy wall or railing to help reinforce it. Can gradually reduce support.

– Slowly walking along a line of crates arranged in a row to improve skills.

The standard viral milk crate challenge creates extreme risks. However, there are ways to begin slowly reducing the risk while working on equilibrium and coordination skills if interested. Supervision is still advised for any crate activities to prevent injuries.

Conclusion

The milk crate challenge is a viral sensation but comes with risks of severe injury due to falls from height and unstable crates toppling over onto people. While tempting to attempt the maximum virally shared heights, it is advisable for beginners to limit stacks to 3-4 crates and slowly work upwards based on skill level. Intermediate participants should limit pyramids to 5-6 crates maximum due to exponentially increased risk above this height threshold. Using spotters, protective gear, and gradual skill progression allows participating more safely. There are also alternatives to walking up a tall crate stack that provide similar balance challenges with less hazard if interested in trying the latest viral craze. Just be sure to assess your skill level honestly and not get in over your head on crates.

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