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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
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Day 20

Standing Bear Campground - Mile 241 - Apr 19th, 2015

Day 20 8am
Made it through the Smoky Mts. Man that was some tough hiking. The trail was a spring. Was more like a 5-day Tough Mudder event. So much rain. It has rained 7 straight days. Happy to have escaped the clouds and cold;am pushing north to Hot Springs, NC. I can't believe I'm already 20 days in.
The Smokies brought a tough physical challenge. My feet were basically wet the entire time. It had to rain for 72 straight hours. I think my miles from Fontana Dam were 12, 12, 8, 16, 20 and 12. My first 20 mile day! We also broke the 200 mile mark and got the total miles left under 2000 miles.
The second or third mile from Fontana Dam I saw a mama bear and three cubs. I watched them tussle and roll around for 10 min. What a thrill. I think of all the thru hikers I was the only one to see a bear. I also encountered 24 inch earthworms, another two snakes,a deer and many sounds of grouse. Took me 200 miles to find out the sound a grouse makes. I thought people were starting an engine or firing a gun like near Quantico. I'd love to see one, but they seem pretty elusive. Climbed the highest point on the AT. Clingsmans Dome. Was in the center of a cumulonimbus cloud.
Camped last night at Standing Bear Hostel. 10 bucks got me a tent sight, laundry and shower. We got a fire going and I must have had 8 or 9 beers before finally crashing. My buddy Coyote hooked me up with some Papa Johns. There is a good group of hikers I'm with. They all do 15-20 miles a day. Everyone seems for real. There are fewer and fewer slackers out here. Everyone now seems strong and confident. They are a good group to hike with or near.
I must have met 500 people since the trip began. It's interesting how relationships evolve out here. Suddenly after seeing the same faces, after battling and beating the Smokies, we all seem a bit closer.
Even now as I write this, the rain begins to fall. I can't wait till April is over with. It's like a rainforest here.

Jason

Standing Bear Campground - Mile 241 - Apr 19th, 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
up to $65.67

$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
up to $547.25

$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
up to $21.89

$21.89 due
Kevin Daniels
always trust it. beaver up. 		$0.05 per mile
up to $109.45

$109.44 paid!
Jerry Hoehn
My feet hurt just thinking about hikiing 2,189 miles! 		$0.03 per mile
up to $65.67

$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
up to $109.45

$109.44 paid!
brandon smith
"_____ isn't about the destination, but the journey." 		$0.03 per mile
up to $65.67

$65.67 due
John Finch
 $0.05 per mile
up to $109.45

$109.45 due
Bethany Pope
Keep beavering and inspiring! Grab life! Much love. 		$0.05 per mile
up to $109.45

$109.45 due
Aimee Connerton
 $0.05 per mile
up to $109.45

$109.45 due
Roy Kinna III
Something I always wanted to do. Best of luck! 		$0.05 per mile
up to $109.45

$109.44 paid!
mary spencer
We are proud of you no matter what! You're loved 		$0.05 per mile
up to $109.45

$109.45 due
Tasha Sheehan
We'll be thinking of you every step of the way! 		$0.03 per mile
up to $65.67

$65.67 due
Scott Nelson
Good luck, remember left, right, left, right ... 		$0.05 per mile
up to $109.45

$109.45 due
Colter Bell
Always Beaver 		$0.05 per mile
up to $109.45

$109.44 paid!
Erica Zamensky
I love your spirit of adventure! May your journey ROCK! 		$0.05 per mile
up to $109.45

$109.44 paid!
chris shriver
hokie hokie hokie high 		$0.10 per mile
up to $218.90

$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
up to $109.45

$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
up to $218.90

$218.90 paid!
Jason Barg
 $0.01 per mile
up to $21.89

$50.00 paid!