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Jason Barg hiked the Appalachian Trail for TNC and StJUDE

Jason

Jason Barg

Trail: Appalachian Trail     Goal: 2189 Miles
Dates: Mar 31 2015 - Sep 30 2015
Outdoor enthusiast. Hiking for the challenge, the thrill, the adventure. Looking to figure it all out. This is really just a personal journey, but thought some people would want to get involved and this is a good way to give back. I figured ... more
Total
Pledges
Total
per Mile
Total
Pledged
Miles
Hiked
Dollars
Hiked
Total
Donated

43

$3.03

$6632.67

2189

$6632.67

$4775.58


$3316.33 $2387.79 (50%)


$3316.33 $2387.79 (50%)

Journal

2000 miles

Caratunk, ME - Mile 2038 - Aug 24th, 2015

Day 146
Mile 2038
Since my last journal entry, things have been a bit up and down; as a hiker life should be.
I have still been enjoying the trail, but my body began taking some hits. I took a few bad falls that have left me a bit hampered. My thumb taking the worst of it; see below. Even tying my shoes was difficult for a few days. But I am fine. I enjoyed feeling mortal, if only for awhile. My knees, elbows and shins are all cut up. My feet are going a bit numb. The rocks and roots are slippery. They are not soft. The mountains have seemed never ending.. We were still doing big, steep climbs. My legs and body were just exhausted. I kept my mileage low. Ten to fourteen mile days. Just trying to take it slow and enjoy the final stretch.
The great news is that I have been swimming nearly every day. I take abnormally long breaks and have made it over 2000 miles. Hot damn! My thumb is on the mend, the weather has been pretty great and I took a zero at a hostel in Stratton, Maine. They had a kitchen and a grill we could use. I made ten pounds of Peruvian style chicken for the hikers and everyone took turns buying 12 packs of beer. It was my favorite hostel on trail.
I've been hanging with a bunch of different groups. Enjoying fellow thru hiker company more than ever. I know my time with these folks is limited. I may never see some of them again. Yesterday, seven of us forded the Kennebec River, with the help of a local paddle boarder who took our bags across. What a rush! The ferry operator, who was on lunch break, said we were the stupidest seven people on the trail.
Finch and I have become close friends. We've known each other since Massachusetts but really started hanging out the last couple weeks. We saw a moose last week from 100 yards walk into a pond, go for a swim and walk to within 10 feet of us. It was just a calf, but stood about 6 feet tall. It was remarkable. See pic below. We later saw a mink, a hare and both ruffed and spruce grouse.
Maine is pristine. There isn't a piece of trash to be found; the trail is well marked and difficult. There have been highland lakes, boreal bogs, rivers, streams and ponds at each mountain base. Waterfalls. Moss covered forests. It feels a bit surreal to even be here. Like a dream world. To think that I walked here from Georgia. God, what a trip. I can easily say that Maine is the best state. Well, if you don't mind leeches...
All that being said, I had been desperately trying to get to this point, as the mountains have finally given way. They have ceded to our demands. They have finally been broken and the trail has turned into a flat and relatively easy hike to the finish line. Yesterday I had 2 small climbs in 15 miles of trail. It's what dreams are made of. The Hundred Mile Wilderness is coming up soon. It is a flat, fun section of trail that leads directly to Mt. Katahdin. 100 miles of pure Maine wilderness. I can't wait to get there, although currently I feel a bit conflicted. I don't know whether I should sprint to the finish line or just take my time. I am very excited to finish this thing up, but also a bit sad as it is winding down rather rapidly. I am thinking September 1st or 2nd may be the day. I'll be watching the weather patterns in the coming days. I want to get a good day on Katahdin.
It's too soon to even ponder about what that moment is going to feel like. My eyes swell with tears every time I think about it. My chest tightens. It's that powerful for me. That emotional. I'll go into it more in my final journal entry, after finishing, but let's just say that this little adventure has taught me a new way of life. A new way of living.
Ha! I feel wise beyond my years. Like I know the secret of life!
I'll keep you posted,
Mic
A special shout out to my big brother, Brandon Barg! Happy birthday to one of my first idols and biggest supporters! You da man brah.

Jason

Caratunk, ME - Mile 2038 - Aug 24th, 2015

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83.00 paid, *see what I did there!?

Matt ODriscoll

Mar 009 2016 6:55PM

Jason,

Love your post. You are almost there!

John

John Peter

Jul 28 2015 08:19AM

I am amazed by your journey! Your writing logs make for great reading...I see wonderful fodder for an article in OUTSIDE. I just read a stat: Each year, thousands of hikers attempt a thru-hike; only about one in four make it all the way. I totally believe, heart and soul, that you will make it...and write about it later. Enjoy your adventure! Erica and the Zoo

Erica Zamensky

Jun 30 2015 9:45PM

Maybe 2-4 days so we can sneak a bloody Sunday in there eh?

Sean Snider

May 22 2015 8:47PM

Were gonna get you some food here mate "gotta eat...and chug a dr. pepper"

Sean Snider

May 22 2015 8:44PM

How about the trail name of Coolhook.

Aimee Connerton

Apr 22 2015 6:00PM

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Sponsors

Brandon Smith
$0.03 per mile
up to $65.67

$65.67 due

Brandon Barg
Way to go Jason!
$0.50 per mile
up to $1094.50

$1094.50 paid!

Matt ODriscoll
Jay Bird Soars!
$0.03 per mile
up to $65.67

$83.00 paid!

Chayne Caulfield
Epic experience that will last a lifetime!
$0.05 per mile
up to $109.45

$109.44 paid!

Jim Lyons
Almost home Jason - keep hiking on!
$0.05 per mile
up to $109.45

$109.45 due

John Wohlfarth
$0.05 per mile
up to $109.45

$109.45 paid!

Lance Gilason
Go big or go home my man
$0.05 per mile
up to $109.45

$109.44 paid!

Elizabeth Krousel
Good luck! So proud of you and your journey!
$0.03 per mile
up to $65.67

$65.67 due

Jen Ogden
$0.01 per mile
up to $21.89

$21.89 due

carl barg
$0.05 per mile
up to $109.45

$109.45 due

todd melancon
good luck buddy. Rougarou and Palomino
$0.03 per mile
up to $65.67

$65.66 paid!

Bruce Peckens
Enjoy the views
$0.03 per mile
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$65.67 due

Alexandra Miller
See you out there soon!
$0.05 per mile
up to $109.45

$109.45 due

Paul Mitchell
Go, Jason! The Spricks are cheering for you. Enjoy it, man.
$0.05 per mile
up to $109.45

$109.45 due

Jon Sprick
Go, Jason! The Spricks are cheering for you. Enjoy it, man.
$0.05 per mile
up to $109.45

$110.00 paid!

Corey Rader
Enjoy the view and the adventure
$0.25 per mile
up to $547.25

$547.00 paid!

kevin farischon
"Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure"
$0.25 per mile
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$550.00 paid!

Brian Gingrich
Enjoy the journey and be safe.
$0.02 per mile
up to $43.78

$50.00 paid!

Sean Snider
Beaver up, Beaver down
$0.01 per mile
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$21.89 due

Kevin Daniels
always trust it. beaver up.
$0.05 per mile
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$109.44 paid!

Jerry Hoehn
My feet hurt just thinking about hikiing 2,189 miles!
$0.03 per mile
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$57.83 paid!

Anerew Smith
$0.05 per mile
up to $109.45

$109.44 paid!

John Peter
Good Luck Jason looking forward to hearing your progress
$0.05 per mile
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$109.44 paid!

brandon smith
"_____ isn't about the destination, but the journey."
$0.03 per mile
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$65.67 due

John Finch
$0.05 per mile
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$109.45 due

Bethany Pope
Keep beavering and inspiring! Grab life! Much love.
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$109.45 due

Aimee Connerton
$0.05 per mile
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$109.45 due

Roy Kinna III
Something I always wanted to do. Best of luck!
$0.05 per mile
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$109.44 paid!

mary spencer
We are proud of you no matter what! You're loved
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$109.45 due

Tasha Sheehan
We'll be thinking of you every step of the way!
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$65.67 due

Scott Nelson
Good luck, remember left, right, left, right ...
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$109.45 due

Colter Bell
Always Beaver
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$109.44 paid!

Erica Zamensky
I love your spirit of adventure! May your journey ROCK!
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$109.44 paid!

chris shriver
hokie hokie hokie high
$0.10 per mile
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$218.90 due

Mike and Beth barg
Enjoy the views. Beth will be worried the entire trip,me too
$0.25 per mile
up to $547.25

$547.24 paid!

Katie Griffin
You can do it, Jase! Be safe!
$0.05 per mile
up to $109.45

$109.44 paid!

nancy farischon
Good Luck Jason and be safe!
$0.05 per mile
up to $109.45

$109.48 paid!

Clif Dayton
Great endeavor, go concur it! Will miss you this summer.
$0.05 per mile
up to $109.45

$110.00 paid!

Craig Crockett
Make sure you are rocking your Hokie gear! Good Luck
$0.10 per mile
up to $218.90

$218.90 due

arnie barg
Jason, Bailey wants to go with you !
$0.05 per mile
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$109.45 due

Sean McLean
Kick its Ass SeaBass! I'll get you 4 boilermakers afterward
$0.04 per mile
up to $87.56

$87.56 paid!

alison mclean
Good luck, Bro. This is a very inspiring endeavor. You can!!
$0.10 per mile
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$218.90 paid!

Jason Barg
$0.01 per mile
up to $21.89

$50.00 paid!