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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

Maine

Baldpate - Mile 1925 - Aug 14th, 2015

Maine
Day 137
Mile 1925
Finally taking a moment to write. I am sitting atop a Maine mountain soaking in some morning sun. My parents and Jumbie have come and gone. My short hiatus complete. Shortly after writing my last post, I began a 32 mile walk in 30 hours, that started with a bear sighting. A baby black bear ran right in front of me as I crossed the Androscoggin River. I didn't get a great picture, but it provided pure excitement for the first few hours of hiking. Then came the difficult stretch. Some of the climbs in Southern Maine are just as difficult as the White Mountains. Very steep. At times wet, boggy, slippery, and muddy. The Mahoosuc Notch was a blast. Some consider it the hardest part of the trail. I found it to be the most exciting. It's a relatively flat, one mile section in a deep ravine. The ravine is filled with giant boulders the size of cars and trucks. The swifter and lighter packed hikers can jump from rock to rock and and slide through gaps and crevices. It was the best mile on the whole trail. It was like American Gladiators or American Ninja Warrior. I loved every minute of it. Almost immediately after the notch was a one mile, 1500ft climb. I ran to the top, even passing fellow thru hikers. I had beer, food, and 3 days off at the end of my day. I was motivated.
Anyways, I arrived 13 minutes late of our prearranged meet time. I strolled into a parking lot to find my parents giving some other hikers cold beer, sodas and snacks.
They were already paying it forward with trail magic. It brought a big smile to my face.
So after some hugs and conversations, we decided to go to dinner. As we started to pull out of the parking lot, we saw two hikers hitching rides in the same direction we were going. "Jump on in," we said.
We eventually took them 40 miles all the way to Gorham, NH. A pretty epic hitch for those guys. A free 40 mile ride, with beer.
We ate dinner in Gorham, then headed back to Waterford, Maine, where we had a nice quiet cabin rented for three nights. Two T.V. channels, no internet. Exactly what I wanted. Each morning, my dad and I would take the canoe or row boat out and try for some fish while drinking our morning Bloody Mary. We celebrated my dads 61st birthday with a local Apple-raspberry pie and got a fire one night for S'mores.
The last day, my pops caught the biggest Large mouth bass of his life. A 5 pound monster that dragged the canoe around the lake. It fought like a champion before finally allowing us to retrieve the hook and gently put him back in the water. It was great to watch him swim off and to be there to confirm the moment. We didn't have our cameras on us, but I'd say it was 21 inches, 5 plus lbs. Caught on a rubber worm with a split-shot weight. What a beauty.
So after two full zeros, eating, drinking and sleeping to my hearts content, it was time to pack it all up and get back to the trail. My mom bought me some new socks and shorts and we got some beer, sodas and ice for a little more trail magic.
They hung out for a couple hours before deciding to get back on the road. They were going to stop by Mt. Washington on the way back. Good luck! It can get nasty up there!
They left me with a bunch of food that I gave to a pack of section hikers. I drank a bunch of beers and hiked 4 miles to the top of this mountain. I watched the sun set and a meteor shower throughout the night. I saw more stars last night than any other time on trail. It was a great way to end my resting phase.
Today, I return to the woods with a bag full of food, fresh socks and the best parents in world. For raising me a parrothead and inspiring my every step, Thank You! For always being there and always believing in me, Thank You!
You have the one thing I have yet to find. A loving partner and beautiful family to share this wonderful life with.
I look forward to finding it.
Happy 39th Anniversary!
With love,
Michelangelo
A very Happy Anniversary to my brother and Julie as well! 5 years already? Living the dream!
Internet will be quite sporadic going forward.
I'll do what I can.

Jason

Baldpate - Mile 1925 - Aug 14th, 2015

Guestbook
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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
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$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!