HAPPY TRAILS LIL BIEBERS

WELL BIEBER FANS... We've made it to Maine. Many moose were almost spotted. We climbed katahdin in two groups. Johnny and Mara finished with Gnar on September 21st. Sara climbed with Delorean, Talker, Flat Foot, and Doc Spice on October 10th. We miss it. 

Saga's Progress

States completed/hiked through since last update: 

 

Maryland 

Pennsylvania 

West Virginia

New Jersey

New York

Connecticut 

Massachusetts

Vermont 

...With 2 days remaining in New Hampshire. 

Miles completed: 1,900

Miles left: 285, roughly 3 weeks. 

The countdown through Maine begins! 

(Thunder and Bergundee... Remember that time we hiked the entire Appalachian Trail 1 week apart?)

PA- Rock Trails

Vermont- 500 to go.

White Mountains, New Hampshire 

MASS- Means of Transportation

New England!

Thunder and I (Burgundee) have hit New England. It's been a while, but you can forgive us. Or, if you can't, sorry. 

Guess what we've been doing? Walking. Eating. Sleeping. Enjoying this BEAUTIFUL weather now that we've left hot, sticky, buggy (awful) Pennsylvania. 

Enjoy these photos. 

Burgundee

VIRGINIA: It Continues

Hi friends! We're alive. We're also currently in the Shenandoah area and going strong. 

Here are a few more photos from recent days on the trail (taken on Saga pod)

Cheers!

Saga

 

Cheers!

VIRGINIA

1. THUNDER AND SKITTLES OBSERVING THE WORLD

2. MCAFEE'S KNOB

3. MOO COWS

Burgundee

RECENTLY

1. ATKINS-ISH, VA

2. TENT CITY. TRAIL DAYS. // DAMASCUS, VA

3. TREE HOUSE HOSTEL ROOM. // KINCORA HIKING HOSTEL. 

4. OVERMOUNTAIN SHELTER. // ROAN, TN

Burgundee

Breaking News!

I saw a weird bug. I didn't take a picture because I was busy walking to Maine. But it was big. It was also green. It had a long bendy neck. It had a distinguishing black triangle mark on its back. I tried to google 'green bug long neck black triangle,' but I did not find the appropriate picture to corroborate my finding. So I assume it's a new species never before discovered until I stepped over it. Your welcome, science.

Love, Skittles.

The Best Update About the Appalachian Trail You've Ever Seen

We're in Damascus, Virginia.

Trail Updates: 5/2

While we're having plentiful amounts of fun off the trail, life thus far ON the trail has been just as eventful and enjoyable.

The latest: Smokey Mountains National Park was a week long, slower-paced, and colder section. Days consisted of one awesome view after another, and 10-mile spaced out camps that allowed us to take more leisurely hiking days. Higher altitudes brought the temps down to 20-30 degrees at night, just cold enough to make you re-evaluate a 30-degree sleeping bag. BUT the unique trails and great company made for yet another successful week.

Leaving the Smokies consisted of two days of torrential downpouring...Or for us, one extremely wet day and one morning of being shuttled into the nearest town where our group of (now) 8 slept on the floor of a chapel, ate ridiculous amounts of food, and where were able to leave our packs to hike the 20-mile section we left to get out of the rain (Note: this is called "slack-packing", where hikers are able to hike without packs...Amazing when you're used to carrying 30 pounds.)

More trail observations:
-It now takes 4 times the amount of food to feel full, on an hourly basis.
-10 miles feel easy.
-Living in woods 24/7 inspire endless group challenges for enjoyment that are primarily based on eating.
-It is possible to consume half a jar of peanut butter in one day.
-Feeling clean can be achieved with a pack of wet wipes or the nearest source of obviously clean water.
-The majority of people hiking the AT are awesome.
-Exercising for 10 hours a day is the catalyst for endless amounts of unpredictable side-effects.
-Days are broken up by milestones: Meals, climbs, meals, shelters, meals, camp.
-This life is great.

We're currently on our third rest day of the week due to visiting various friends and resting up in towns. We've spent the last two days on a friend's awesome organic farm, check out http://www.rootbottomfarm.com to see what they're all about.

Also, props to our our friend Rambo for the unreal home-cooked meal tonight. You rock.

Thinking about all of the friends and family at home, we appreciate the love and support so far!

Back on trail in North Carolina tomorrow.

Sara (Saga)

More News From Nowhere

Skittles here. I'm called that because I eat skittles. Clever, huh? I'm going to just rattle off a couple highlights if the last few days.

First off, our new friend Gnar McKnee pooped himself a little but today, so he'd like to tell everyone that you should be careful when you fart when you've been having stomach issues. This is a safety issue for all, really.

Next, we hiked twenty miles today, and I for one did it hungover, because I happened to meet a few fine Ohioans who got me drunk on the finest beer Hot Springs, North Carolina has to offer, which is surprisingly good. So after we hiked those twenty miles, we went right back to the bar to celebrate. We are athletes.

Speaking of the athleticism necessary for the trail, our pooping friend Gnar had, in my opinion, the best summation of our hike. He said, 'sometimes I think about what an athletic endeavor it is that we're undertaking, and I feel good about myself, but then I look at somebody like Bubba, (one of those guys who, even when he's standing up, it looks like he's sitting down, and his food bag is an old bag of kettle corn) and he's hiking right there with us. So this isn't hard. That's something you should know. But there is an endurance factor that is the hard part. We're out here for six months. Most people just can't do that with their lives. So that's why I consider this a pretty cool life event.

People like us because of our weird decision. I met a couple from St. Louis, and they were just amazed that we are walking 2200 miles. So they bought us two pitchers of beer. And then I met the Ohio boys, (hey Patton, Meatball and Pa!) and they bought me dinner, and even more beer, just because they think this undertaking is fascinating and impressive. But when I think about it, all I'm doing is talking a walk with my friends for six months. I'm having a great time. I'm meeting great people. DeLorean, Talker, Rambo, Gnar, Push Up, 22, everybody. That's what makes it all more than just a stroll through the forest.

And here's a picture of me and my awesome beard and sunglasses. Careful ladies, there may be swooning.

And the sexier one is a side shot of the aforementioned Bubba, in his, 'everything else is in the wash, so I'll wear a bug net and boxers gear.'

GREAT SMOKEY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

Waiting out some rain

After a tough couple of days of intense climbs and hot/stormy weather, we're taking a zero (rest day) and waiting out the rain before entering the Smokies tomorrow. There's a chance of ice storms for higher altitudes tonight, so it appears most hikers will be inside and staying dry until things clear up. Will be able to update with more from the Smoky Mountains soon!

Sara (New trail name: Saga)

PICTURES!

1. Nantahala Outdoor Center
2. Naptime view
3. Sunset on Wayah Bald

Burgundee

Johnny Thunder OR Beyonce?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1Wjzeu5rHA

100 Miles

On Wednesday we reached the 100 mile mark and crossed the NC border, trail success continues. Since last week we've been doing 10-16 mile days thanks to lots of awesome weather, getting into the trail rhythm, and our trusty ibuprofen.

All of our campsites are pretty evenly spaced out, which makes the daily planning easy and has allowed us to meet and hike with many of the same vagabonds. Enjoying and living in the AT community at its finest.

For those of you who aren't as familiar, hitchhiking is the best and most efficient way to get to and from town. We've so far had two successful rides both marked with friendly drivers and even better stories.

The good weather stretch ended last night with the craziest thunder/lighting storm any of us have experienced.. Naturally, we all stayed dry except for Jason, who decided to gather his own lake in his tent to better conserve water.

We are now nearing the end of a day off to resupply and consume local goodness! Resuming the 9-5 life in the woods in the morning, more soon.

Sara

Observations of a (new) long distance hiker

A jar of peanut better doesn't last more than six days. Other peanut butter facts: bagels, bread and tortillas aren't necessary. Just spoon out a glob and eat it plain. Five times a day. Or ten.

People are nice. Trail magic is everywhere. Fruit. Baby wipes. Cinnamon roles. Car rides. Jokes.

Hikers want five things: fed, to be dry, to be horizontal, spinach and to have booze.

In other news, two of us have new trail names. I'm Burgundee. No, not like the color. Like Ron. That story might slip out later but for now, I have chores. Like planning out the food I'm going to consume today. And getting clean pants. And watching stuff dry. And washing the filth from my every crevice. And eating pizza.

Jason also has a new name. He'll tell you.

Hiking's hard.

Mara

A JOHNNY SANDWICH

FIRETOASTEDBAGELSPINACHARTICHOKEHUMMUSSPINACHSPINACHARTICHOKEHUMMUSSQUASHTHREEPEPPERHUMMUSPEPPERJACKCHEESETHREEPEPPERHUMMUSFIRETOASTEDBAGEL. CAMPFOOD. WHAT!?!

Cruella DeMara

It was a dark and not stormy night. Then we woke up and went into the shelter to have some breakfast. It was our first time at a shelter on this trip, and it was crowded, so we met many fine citizens of the world, one of which was puking Gatorade because he appeared to be dying. He wasn't all that fun. But we met a very kind-hearted older man who called himself 'Turtle' on account of being all self-conscious about going slow. So Mara is sitting at the table with him, concentrating with all of her foggy just-got-out-of-bed brainpower on eating her granola. Johnny and I were just milling about, being awesome, per usual. God knows where Sara was. She is irrelevant, really. And Turtle is hanging out, talking, because Turtle was a talker. Again, Mara: face in granola; the intensity was inspiring. So Turtle starts talking about lots of stuff. All the things, really. And then he starts telling us about his family. And he tells us how, you know, the life you'd like for your kids just sometimes doesn't work out the way a parent wishes it would. Then he pauses, seems to get a bit lost in his thoughts, and says, 'Oh am I giving you guys too much information?' and gives a half hearted chuckle. So Johnny and I sort of shuffle our feet and stare off into the middle distance. And Mara, face still firmly in granola, with complete confidence and a strong voice, says,

'YEP.'

Johnny and I are mortified. Mara is enjoying granola. Johnny and I start to slowly back away. Turtle gets a little quiet, 'Yeah I'm definitely guilty of TMI, I guess,' he says. Mara is confused by everything except granola at this point. She thinks we're moving away because we can't understand what Turtle is talking about, either. So she just chuckles and says, 'haha, yeah.' Johnny and I leave the shelter. We pack up and get the hell out of dodge. We later inform Mara that she is the cruelest woman in the planet. She is then the one who is mortified. Her new mission is to find Turtle and apologize. She really isn't the worst person on the planet. Just don't talk to her while she's eating breakfast, or she will destroy your soul.

On Trail.

We have officially been on the trail for 4 days! Despite minor sunburns and a few sore muscles, the team is in high spirits. We've just gotten to where we'll take a rest day tomorrow, have just inhaled glorious pasta, found a box of free food, and now using the allotted time for cabin naps.

Here's a recap of the past few days:

A heavy rainstorm on day 1, but took care of the wet gear by spreading it over and hanging out in sunny field the next morning.

Walking about 10 miles each day, eating foods, and hitting the tents around 8 pm every night. SLEEEEP.

John and Jason finding amusement in Mara and Sara's attempts at hanging bear bags.

Laughing, walking, meeting the hiker community, and being the coolest group of people in the woods ever.

Overall, off to a great start.

Sara

No jokes, just facts

Phase one: Sara drives from Duluth to Indianapolis.

Phase two: Sara and Mara board a bus to Columbus.

Phase three: Jason, his sister and his mother scoop up Sara and Mara. They drive to Lexington.

Phase four: the subjects above drive from Lexington to Dahlonega. They stop in Knoxville to devour BBQ with Sara's friends Claire and Jenny. They get beers.

Phase four part b: Johnny takes a comfortable, stimulating 18 hour bus ride to Georgia from Pennsylvania.

Phase five: the caravan picks up Johnny.

Phase six: the caravan meets up with Chad and Lisa. all members get a hotel, merrily drunk, and celebrate Jason's mom's birthday and the awesomeness that is going to be summer 2013.

Okay. Just one.

What did the bra say to the hat?
You go on ahead. I'll give these two a lift.

I'm so funny.

mara

Sara's not going to tell Jason what to do.

Sara just tried to tell me not to put too much 'random pointless stuff' on the blog. Well I'm my own man. I march to the beat of my own drummer. I shine like a crazy diamond. Here's a picture of my step-father riding a wooden turkey:

A Few Pronunciation Notes From The Justin Bieber Hikes the Appalachian Trail Team

If there's one thing I hate it's when I'm reading a word on the internet that I can't pronounce. I mean, how do you pronounce "intimate"? Is it "intimate" or "intimate."? Well, we here at ThunderCo (tm) would like to offer some pronunciation guidelines for this year's blog and associated materials to help ease you into this foreign world of foreigners hiking domestic trails (Bieberfact: Bieber's original native name was "Beaver" which was changed after increasing pressure from Urshur and Stephen Harper) (Who's Harper?).

The "Appalachian" Trail has many pronunciations for which the "AT" is a common shorthand. Down South it's the "appleatchun" and up North the "appleashean." The change seems to occur at the Mason-Dixon line; a location made famous by two land surveyors, the Civil War, and my past nocturnal urinations. You can guess which side I aimed at. 

You are never a "through hiker." Instead, you're a "thru hiker" (as annoying as that is).

In the South you stay in "shelters" and in the North it's "lean to's". 

"Glissade" is pronounced "Why are you worrying about a 'glissade' on the Appalachian Trail?" (seriously, how do you say that word?)

Jason's name is easy. "jay son". 

"Johnny" can be pronounced "jhon knee" or "jon ee". It can be spelled either way if you're Matthewski.

Sara and Mara's names rhyme and are pronounced as they're spelled.

Sara Makes a Funny Pun and Other Updates From the Justin Bieber Hikes the Appalachian Trail Group Chat

Sara says, "Holy SMOKIES" which is the first time in HISTORY that was ever said.

In the face of knee-to-hip-high snow in the mountains I've advised the group to carry extra stiff plastic bags to wear inside their boots. Mara is intent on bringing the noisiest bags in the universe (the biodegradable Sun Chips bags) and I'm intent on learning how to snore.

Jason has been practicing carrying his pack and cooking his food. I will be taking pictures of all the things he, Sara, and Mara mail home. It's part of my ongoing photo series entitled, "Stuff Jason, Sara, and Mara Send Home." (this is coming to you live and was not part of today's messages)

Johnny

Jason's Magical and Informative Introduction

Hi.  My name is Jason.  I'm hiking the AT with these guys.  I’m going to introduce myself now. 

JASON FACTS: 

1.  First things first: I don’t like to eat fish or any other seafood.  This did not go over great in Korea.  One time at lunch, we probably had some gross fish soup, which I was not eating.  But we also had some dried seaweed, which I was also not eating.  My co-teacher knew I didn’t like fish, so he tried to get me to meet him halfway by eating the seaweed, as a cultural exchange, perhaps.  But I was having none of it, so he said to me, ‘Jason, you hate the sea.’  I thought about this for a second, and then said, ‘Yes.  I do.’ 

2.  I have remarkably soft skin.  Seriously, next time you’re around I’ll let you touch my hand.  You’ll say something like, ‘Ohhhhhhhhhhh.’  And I’ll be all, ‘Told you.’

3.  For a while during second grade I apparently really liked Michael J. Fox’s character on the show, ‘Family Ties,’ and insisted on wearing clip-on ties to school.  I have no memory of this myself, but my mom swears I did.

There.  Now you know three things about me.  That should do it.  But you should probably know a little bit about who I am on the inside, where my feelings live.  So I’ll tell you a few stories from my formative years. 

JASON STORIES:

When I was a kid I would spend my summers at my grandparents’ farm in rural Wisconsin.  It was pretty great.  I had a pellet gun, and got pretty sweet at shooting aluminum cans.  The chickens knew to steer clear of me because I was such a badass with it.  They were clearly intimidated.  This is not relevant to the story; just wanted to brag.  Anyway, my grandparents, Clarence and Regina, enjoyed lying to me, their trusting and innocent young grandchild.  There are three lies that they told me that I will always remember. 

1.  I could be electrocuted if I ran through a lawn sprinkler.  And so I never have, and I don’t think I ever will.  Because…what if?  You know?

2.  They once told me that I needed to take a nap, because we were all going to bingo that night.  And I said, ‘Nope, He-Man is on today.  I can’t take a nap while He-Man is on?  Are you guys insane?  I flipping love He-Man.’  (paraphrasing).  So they tell me He-Man wasn’t going to be on television that day, so I needed to take a nap.  I was confused, because I knew when He-Man was on.  I watched it every day.  I flipping loved He-Man, like I said.  But they’re my grandparents, and they must know, and would never ever lie to me about something that I flipping love, right?  But at bingo, my cousin Jamie told me that He-Man was totally on that day, and they just told me it wasn’t so I would take a nap and not be all tired and whiney while they played bingo, which they flipping loved as much as I loved He-Man.  This was the point in life where I learned what crushing disappointment and betrayal felt like. 

3.  One summer, Clarence and Regina gave me a pig, which is a terrible pet for a kid.  It would just hang out in its pen, laying around, not being a dog or a cat or something fun like that, because it’s a pig.  So I named it Oscar, after Oscar The Grouch, obviously.  I was just as clever and witty then as I am now.  One day at the end of the summer, my grandparents tell me that they’re selling Oscar to that infamous, ‘family down the road,’ and then they give me sixty bucks.  And later Jamie (again) tells me that they sold him to a slaughterhouse.  But I didn’t care by that point, because I had already become jaded and mistrustful of the world.  And you know, sixty bucks is a lot of money for a kid.  And pigs are terrible pets. 

There.  Now you know everything about me.  Goodbye. 

AT Route and Rough Itinerary

This will be our route (South to North). The predicted itinerary is as follows:

April 1- Springer Mountain (GA)
May 1- Around Hot Springs/ Asheville, NC
May 17-19 - Damascus, VA (Southern Point of VA)
August 15- Near Runtland, VA
Labor Day Weekend- White Mountains/Lincoln

Group Blog Started

Less than 3 weeks and counting. Send this link to people who feel like staying updated granted we survive and Jason doesn't get eaten by a bear.

Sara