The CULT that PREYS on Appalachian Trail Hikers

[@benhauber1979]

I grew up in a similar cult that got started in the 60s and 70s. Christian hippie-like cults were kind of a thing at that time. We lived largely off the land. Lots of abuse claims, but that will be the case any time you give people authority over other people with no accountability. ESPECIALLY when they think that authority comes from God.

[@Casual_BackPacking]

Well said

[@helpfulcommenter]

What was the cult?

[@benhauber1979]

@@helpfulcommenter en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Move_(Sam_Fife) It was called The Move. It still exists, but it has been in decline for the last 20 years or more.

[@helpfulcommenter]

@@benhauber1979 whoa dude that's wild

[@chrisclark4183]

Children of god? I was born into it

[@francisebbecke2727]

A cult will never call themselves a cult. A con artist will never call himself a con artist.

[@RiverCatAdventures]

What? That’s complete bullshit I’m a con artist myself, now enough beating around the bush, do you wanna join my cult ?

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

But the accuser also bares the burden of proof.

[@echt114]

@@ANPC-pi9vu Only if being prosecuted.

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

@@echt114 What do you mean?

[@echt114]

@@ANPC-pi9vu There's no actual "burden of proof" except in legal proceedings.

[@pungo147]

I'm one of those hikers that had a great stay at the Yellow Deli (double zero). The accommodations were clean, and the food was excellent. I was never pressured in any way. Of course, I was a 63-year-old male. I doubt they had any interest in me at all.

[@jamesc.e.s.4551]

These videos are bullcrap. People are just conditioned to try and shut people down who found a way out of the system. It's weird, but it's just peak capitalism.

[@Hans-yb5jc]

You are lucky they didn't eat you. That is how cults work. They lure people in and eat them.

[@jenniferg6818]

good cheat sir.

[@slappy8941]

They want healthy white people of breeding age.

[@PantherCreekPlantation]

Good cheat?

[@YAE_727]

Another KZbinr named Reckless Ben infiltrated 12 tribes and posted the whole series to his channel. Super eye opening. These guys should be avoided if possible.

[@gemlord17]

Just looking at that channel it's all clickbait for the worst scenario. And skipping through clips of the almost 4 hour boring live stream seems like it was one or two shit people he found and really dug in to get them to say the worst thing

[@danedi2951]

​@@gemlord17yea they exaggerate their footage and TT's wrongdoings, which annoyed my viewing experience a lot, but the premise and inside look was neat.

[@TimBrogan-xk8rm]

12 Tribes has a location in Ithaca, NY where I used to live. Before I even knew about it existed, I had met a group of unbelievably nice people congregating outside of their restaurant, which was under construction. They gave me an ol-timey, serious but friendly vibe. They offered to give me a tour of inside, which I accepted. During the tour I started to realize that they lived in a community where all resources were pooled. They had roles but didn't make or spend money. Later that day, I recalled the experience to a friend and the first thing he said was "Did they invite to one of their Friday dinners?" After my friend shared a similar sentiment to the one expressed in this video (cultish reputation, to do my own research, and use good judgment), I never attended one of those dinners. And yes, the restaurant was a Yellow Deli.

[@FlowerIsBlazin]

I lived with them in Ithaca for 3 years. Their life wasn't for me, but I adore everyone I lived with and still visit once in a blue moon.

[@neilswan6977]

This is INSANE. So I’m an American living in Australia. There is a cult called The 12 Tribes here and they run a cafe called the Yellow Deli as well. It’s in Katoomba, New South Wales. That’s creepy as hell!

[@houseofthewhitedog]

Theyre cousins maybe...

[@ricmcneill1794]

Same 12 Tribes. I just had lunch in their Acadia, Florida location. Exactly same layout of restaurant, dress code and everyone was polite with outstanding food. Side steppes their RUTLAND, VT location on my through-hike as I was in no mood for an immersion into their tribe. My tribe was the trail family I had. Buck Wild Class of 2019.

[@venenoblanco1803]

He said they are worldwide and have 20 yellow delis

[@ffiaidd6277]

Hi new ...im from original south Wales ...

[@neilswan6977]

@Matthew thanks Matthew

[@BushcraftingBogan]

Hank: "Are you guys the cult?" 12 Tribes: We're not a cult, we are an organization of 12 independent... Dale: "Yeah, this is it." 😆

[@richgrous6394]

Yup you're a cult. Sick people using religion to push there bullshit.

[@Seeker0fTruth]

“GUYS!!! WE FOUND IT!!” 🛎️🛎️🛎️🛎️🛎️🛎️🛎️🛎️ 🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥

[@gregoryleevandall1880]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@tmorente]

Bill joined. 😂😂

[@freddie6307]

lmaoooo

[@Beeroclock81]

When something is free than the product is you

[@mainlinemitch]

#stonks

[@Islandgirl2133]

Then

[@jameshinton429]

That’s good.

[@moniquejones6482]

Right, for every 100 they get 1.

[@ObamaoZedong]

Like social media

[@nekkoskrilla6750]

12 Tribes has a presence at music festivals and they used to go to Grateful Dead shows back in the day trying to recruit people. People warn you to not accept anything from them i.e. snacks, books, their propaganda but I ate some cookies and a beverage from the cult, which were actually pretty tasty. Always keep your guard up around them and stay strong.

[@joegutierrez3892]

Just remember that FREE PUPPIES are very expensive.

[@kylemccoymusic4202]

My hometown was really close to a Yellow Deli and it was my High School's go-to spot to hang out. The quirky atmosphere, delicious food, and the fact they're open 24 hours a day (except for the Sabbath) made it very attractive and entertaining for hang out sessions. Some of my friends would go on these "farm tours" but like you, it was never forced or even offered; and I've been a patron well over 100 times. It's one of my go-to places to invite a visiting friend bc it's so weird to find a cult-run deli in the middle of suburban San Diego metro. As a teacher of mine once said, " I may not agree with the Yellow Deli, but God damn do they make the best sandwiches in town!"

[@KyleHatesHiking]

Those sandwiches are pretty fire!

[@kdavis4910]

@Kyle Hates Hiking hey, I'm going. I will be a solo female hiker, so I won't stay with them, but I'm curious. Just being honest.

[@nigelh3253]

Great to hear your first-hand experience.

[@craigbur9]

You'll have to answer for putting the LORD name in vain

[@craigbur9]

Hell is never full

[@nicolemichaels97]

I stayed at the Yellow Deli on my SOBO LT hike in ‘21 and I had a good experience. They were nice, they had loaner clothes, hiker box, laundry and it was a clean place. The people working there did not force any information on those staying there, but would answer questions people had. I personally knew about this hostel being a cult before my hike and actually wanted to check it out due to curiosity.

[@PorchHonkey]

What's the LT stand for if I may ask?

[@nigelh3253]

It's good to hear your personal, inside story about this hostel. Maybe they're just a bunch of good guys! (Or maybe not). Certainly looks a good place for hikers. More experiences like yours would certainly be worth hearing about. Thanks.

[@nicolemichaels97]

@@PorchHonkey The Long Trail. It’s a hike that goes the entire state of Vermont and shares around 100 miles with the Appalachian Trail.

[@PorchHonkey]

@@nicolemichaels97 k thanks for the reply I have learned something new

[@Marco-fi6gv]

Thanks for sharing your experience. It's much better to get a first hand account over hearsay,

[@birdmusic1206]

I went to the restaurant. They all wore demeaning bright colored uniforms, they shouted a company slogan at me when I entered, they had fake smiles, they kept mopping the floor even though it was already clean, they called themselves a "family", they also kept trying to upsell me when I ordered. The craziest part is that there are rumors they used processed meat that might not be real....oh wait....that was McDonalds.

[@coda7994]

At first all I could hear in my head was "Welcome to Moe's"

[@xarolinaxota7202]

I was reading this and was like wait, this seems a lot like every job I’ve had at fast food. Then I saw the end and was like ih😂

[@dand9844]

​@@coda7994 hahahahaha

[@arlettasloan6453]

lol As a former employee, I concur.

[@phukyou1179]

Great one.

[@annwe6]

Like Kyle said, predatory groups and individuals usually target more vulnerable people. They seem to have and extra sense for who to zone in on. It's probable Kyle wasn't singled out because he had good boundaries set before he even walked through the deli door. It could also be that the group is harmless AF, so nothing to worry about. Also, most cult abuse happens behind closed doors. To outsiders they appear benign and harmless. It's the insiders who are most at risk - children and women first and foremost, but men can easily fall prey too. Abuse can be physical, sexual, and/or psychological. Whatever the type, it's incredibly destructive for the people involved. I was entangled in spiritual cult for over 20 years so speak from experience. Cults rob people of their lives. Best to simply stay away.

[@nacholibreri]

It's sad when children are born into it. It's a sad state of affairs when cults get exemption from criminal charges due to their status as a "religios group".

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

We need evidence before accusing this organization of wrong doing. It's normal for Christians to ask people to join them. So much so that if they don't, they aren't really living the teachings. That isn't inherently nefarious.

[@Tampafan33]

@@ANPC-pi9vuthere’s literally a guy on youtube that infiltrated it and yes THEY ARE FUCKED UP. The fact you even try to say any cult can be ok is a joke

[@Pushing_Pixels]

In any religious group as large as the 12 Tribes there's bound to be some dodgy people. Any organisation that large will have at least some. Whether it's a cult depends on how the group is led, the internal social dynamics, and whether the members have any autonomy. Most cults have a specific leader or small group of leaders. If each group is independent, as they claim, then the organisation as a whole wouldn't be a cult, though individual sub-groups might be.

[@14ToeBeans]

@@ANPC-pi9vuone has to have understanding of how cults work, how difficult it is to get out once in, and how nearly impossible it is to GET clear evidence and prosecution. Look at how many have come out on the church of Scientology, yet they STILL have tax exempt status and no charges. These groups know how to hide their underbelly, and bc they often DO recruit kind people, it’s easy for the unfamiliar to not realize how dangerous groups like this are.

[@chtrealty498]

My father was on the task force that raided the Island Pond group in 1984. It was toward the end of his career and I have never seen him so upset with what he saw at the Northeast Kingdom Community Church- 12 Tribes. The hostel and deli are definitely mechanisms to persuade people to join them. The abuse of children is real with this group.

[@ericsmith6677]

yeah well one could argue teaching self hate and LGBTQ is child abuse but i dont see your daddy raiding publick schools. govenrment needs to stay outta people business

[@bryanandhistent2311]

I went to the farm voluntarily. It was fine. I am A through and through atheist and I really wasn’t concerned. At the farm they just put me to work. I’ve pulled onions out of the ground and took corn off the stock and they also fed me while I was there. It was fine. No one tried to recruit me whatsoever in fact any discussions of their religion was coming from other hikers asking questions. To be clear we were encouraged to ask questions. Just letting you know my experience since it might be interesting.

[@nacholibreri]

What about the children? Did they beat the children in front of you?

[@twistedink361]

​@@nacholibreri you will never see what happens behind closed doors unless you are fully initiated into a cult. Religion, no matter the type puts on facades for the outgroup.

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

@@twistedink361 That's not just religion, that's humanity. You act like only religious people have ever abused kids or put on a false face.

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

I'm pretty impressed with that. It sounds like they have a lot of that East TN Libertarianism in their ethos.

[@Wasteland88]

​@@ANPC-pi9vulol, I grew up in east Tennessee.

[@lulilightly]

When I was 21, I took too many mushrooms at a music festival and 12 Tribes was running the med tent. They tried to manipulate me into leaving my job and going with them immediately, as that was what God wanted for me. Super unethical.

[@bromethiustrilbotbromeldeh6625]

All too common unfortunately. Happened to me as well.

[@dennisking4589]

Your talking about overdosing and then judge ethics.....trippy.

[@lulilightly]

@@dennisking4589 what are you talking about? Your statement doesn't make sense. How did I lose my right to assess the ethical behavior of a group positioning themselves as medical professionals? Simply by taking some mushrooms, or?

[@dennisking4589]

@@lulilightly You were overdosed on a hallucinogen...your testimony is without merit. Also, just for future consideration, do not ask questions of people you accuse of not making sense. It also adds to your lack of character.

[@lulilightly]

@@dennisking4589 five bucks says you're affiliated with Twelve Tribes! You sound so silly right now.

[@ayabokti161]

I grew up around the Appalachians. Believe me when I tell you the 12 Tribes are harmless. But there are things in them mountains that are not harmless. There's just parts you don't go to. You will become confused & lost. Even government men don't go. You disappear & no one ever lay eyes on you again....just stay on the main trail.

[@Whogivesashit78]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@xXJesuslovesyouXx]

Thankyou!

[@Brandon-Pokerbro]

As someone who grew up in those mountains your right. I could tell some stories you wouldn't believe. Scary shit.

[@clintreno1019]

Tell me some because I don’t believe you

[@nettewilson5926]

Sounds like the beginning of a creepy pasta story…

[@toejamr1]

I had a hiking buddy that got injured and it took 2 weeks for him to get back to hiking. He stayed at the hostel above the yellow deli and they basically wouldn’t take his money because he was injured.

[@jantefft2442]

Good to hear

[@-OBELUS-]

They're taking the Bible seriously. The Good Samaritan story.

[@davidpike2334]

@@-OBELUS- The good samaritan didnt try and get his patient to live with him and work 80 hrs a week for room and board!!!

[@davidp5201]

@@davidpike2334did they try to do that to the injured man in question? If you don’t know, you shouldn’t assume

[@anadubar4819]

@@davidpike2334 Read the story above. There is no mention that he ever had to do any work.

[@patticarrollhernandez6208]

2017: I knew they were a cult, but I have a strong mind of my own and knew I could resist joining up!! lol. I stayed with them in Rutland for two 0 days. I helped them in the restaurant one day a few hours, and at another location (group of residential houses) for lunch. They are so nice, but if you really get to talk to them individually a few of them seem very sad. I met a young couple there (at lunch), they were married and trying to get pregnant but having trouble. The girl was maybe 20, the guy early 20's. I wish I remembered her name but the interesting thing is she told me SHE USED TO BE A HIKER. She never finished her thru hike, having met this guy she married....I asked her if she ever thought about going back to the trail to finish. She said no, but seemed very forlorn. I got the impression she was shamed for not getting pregnant as quickly as expected, and also that she DID in fact think about getting the f*ck out of that place but was "married to the mob." Honestly, I still think (and worry) about her...

[@erickiyoshiphillips2323]

Why would u feel bad she can leave if she wanted

[@patticarrollhernandez6208]

@@erickiyoshiphillips2323 you obviously don’t know how cults work

[@davidbiagi2932]

People have left this group though. You also can’t call something a cult that you have absolutely zero knowledge of what they are or how they run. God forbid some people just want to live life a certain way without being labeled a cult just because they have their own personal belief system and ways they do things. But once again, people that were a part of that group have left with no issues, so yes she and anyone can leave at any time they want.

[@Ellie-rx3jt]

​@@davidbiagi2932 People also leave abusive marriages, but most of us accept that there are challenges to doing so.

[@helpfulcommenter]

You should do a video on the NPS Ranger who disappeared in Kings Canyon / Sequoia along the PCT back in the 90s. Randy Morgenson. There's a great book about him called The Last Season. His life wasn't devoid of drama just before his disappearance, so people suspected foul play, suicide, or even him skipping the country (for reasons too complicated to go into here). He was born and raised in Yosemite so his whole life was devoted to the National Parks and he knew every plant, animal, and piece of history in the Sierra. When he disappeared there was the largest Search and Rescue operation ever launched, all the SAR team were his oldest friends, so it was intense. They searched and searched for a long time, but he could not be located, he seemed to have just disappeared into thin air. I won't spoil the ending but they did eventually find his body, years later.

[@stuarthall3874]

Yes, that was a great book.

[@garrett3055]

Where was the body?

[@helpfulcommenter]

@@garrett3055 I won't spoil it for ya. We'll just have to wait for Kyle's video - or read the book, it's real good

[@weAreaAllHuman69]

Whata the book called

[@helpfulcommenter]

@@weAreaAllHuman69 lol read my comment bud

[@george-fn6oc]

I would not stay there even if they didn't try to recruit me. It really bothers me that they don't treat women or children nicely.

[@AlexanderMason1]

Says who dummy?

[@KyleHatesHiking]

Fair enough

[@nrobertson33]

The best thing about being a hiker is the urge to keep walking. Glad you did.

[@ZekeMan62]

I'm sure they were glad too.

[@medea27]

Most cults aren't in-your-face about recruitment to avoid friction with locals, police, families, etc... far more common to use subtle techniques like love-bombing or creating feelings of indebtedness (like offering you food or accommodation for free). They don't want to recruit everyone, only those vulnerable to their techniques - basically self-selecting targets. It’s clear they chose this location/business to access people already open to their surface-level philosophies (independent, open to new experiences & spirituality, disconnected from modern society), and though most hiker's experience is likely inoffensive & even enjoyable it’s important to remember that a commune-style cult takes the one thing from followers that hikers on-trail value most - _their autonomy._ I’d think twice before supporting a group that’s open about physically disciplining children because while the adults choose to be in the cult, the children can’t.

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

As long as it's only spanking or a slap on the hand, I don't think physical discipline is abuse. I'm more concerned about beating or deprivation, and financial abuse, if people have evidence of these things going on.

[@Threelittlebirdz-xk7xn]

Sometimes a spanking is all that keeps a child from getting out of hand.... discipline is good, abuse is bad. There's a definite difference between the two. God Bless us all!

[@fuzyfuzfuz2]

We need to define cult and religion. A religion is a guide. It gives you advice on how to live, but no one's gonna check on you. It's up to you to make the decision. There is freedom. In a cult! You do not have that freedom. That's it. End of story. A cult will NOT give you the choice. A religion will. We NEED this to be very clear to people.

[@oki__]

@@ANPC-pi9vu​⁠​⁠​⁠ You KNOW it’s not a spank or slap on the hand when kids are working a 9-5 in labour and not asking a question about it. If you need proof that an pre-established abusive cult might be abusive then… you might be in need of a trip there yourself for a week to get real with the world Or do you just want to wilfully excuse abuse? Because that’s really what your underlying thoughts sound like

[@thisbeem2714]

There are stories of heinous abuse from folks who have left the cult. Maybe not every group is as bad, but what I read was pretty grim. It wasn’t from those on the AT the group was more isolated. Oh and spanking is definitely abuse. A swat in the behind might not be, but actual spanking. Yeah, that qualifies.

[@wht-rabt-obj]

Sounds about 1000% less creepy than Scientology at least.

[@WitchOfTheWild]

I love the direction you are going with your channel! Your videos have always been great but with you expanding into other genres, they're getting even better/more entertaining

[@arguchik]

I agree - they're also becoming more informative about a wider variety of topics.

[@KyleHatesHiking]

thank you so much!

[@staceymoral4289]

Kyle just a little note to say THANK YOU FOR SAVING MY LIFE ALONG WITH STEVE ISDAHL ON his HOWTOHUNT & the ROUNDTABLEOFTRUTH CHANNELS YOU BOTH HAVE SAVED ME NUMEROUS TIMES FROM DEEP DARKNESS HOPELESSNESS & humanities many flawed and failed ways which cause great harm to innocent ones or those unable to defend themselves ❤ MUCH LOVE TO ALL & may every broken heart be healed to love again!!!❤❤❤

[@timg7627]

I worked a half block away from one of their yellow delis in CO. I will admit their food is good. However, they are intent on converting patrons to their religion. Which in itself isn’t terrible but once you discover more it becomes despicable. They all live together in a large house probably more than 20 under one roof. The women are only allowed in the basement level and the men have freedom to move between floors of the house. The women are not allowed to engage in any activities not directly involved with the religion. In order join you’ll need to donate All of your personal belongings which they promptly sell and split the proceeds with the other 12 tribes. How I know this is because I briefly worked with a guy who got sucked into their cult. After about 6 months this guys brother shows up and physically removed him from the cult house and back to the family ranch in MT. Not sure exactly the reason but clearly his family wasn’t having any of this.

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

Someone should pretend to join to provide proof of this to the public. If it's true, I agree that's fucked up. I just haven't seen proof of anything yet.

[@standdownrobots_ihaveoldglory]

​@@ANPC-pi9vuall of this has been done. I'm guessing you only get info like this on social media? Most actual cult experts aren't making KZbin videos. There's a huge body of information, including the testimony of former members. How are you not seeing any proof? By not looking anywhere?

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

@@standdownrobots_ihaveoldglory Would you like to point me in tgw direction of some actual resources? The person who makes a claim is the one who is responsible for proving said claim. It is not my job to do the research to prove other people's points, ffs.

[@erickiyoshiphillips2323]

Im sorry i dont feel bad for anyone who willfully joined this cult.

[@soude85]

@@ANPC-pi9vu You sound like a spoiled brat. Nobody owes you any explanation, either you look up information yourself or you don’t. But don’t claim there is no proof because it hasn’t hit you in the head.

[@BearTrekAdventures]

Very nice job pulling this video together and doing the research. I stayed at their place in 2021 when I hiked the Long Trail...I kept an open mind going into it given some things I had heard previously. Overall everyone was very nice and even though the restaurant was closed they invited all the hikers to join their private family dinners and breakfast. I did have a sense they are very selective and likely "train" the folks that are public facing. I noticed at least one of the guys was a rather young (early to mid 20's) and was an experienced thru hiker - I felt this was almost a way to gain commonality with potential recruits..just a guess. Women were definitely much more reserved and there were a few times you could tell they were cautious what they said when they spoke. One thing that struck me as odd - a friend asked a very pointed question related to free will. It was quite clear once you joined they could essentially send you. to live/work at any of their locations and the individual basically has no say because they are serving a higher purpose. Personally I think the idea of living in a community could be nice for some folks, but when you have little to no say and no free will that's another story. I'd encourage every thru hiker to go there for the experience but do so with an open mind - don't get stuck there as some folks appeared to do when I was there. Anyway that was my experience and some things I noticed.

[@nigelh3253]

Enjoyed reading your personal experiences. So thanks for that.

[@seviregis7441]

Excellent point and comment. In fact, as a Christian minister, I hold that free will and self determination are key principles and endowments granted of God and preserved within the faith. Whenever you have people imposing on those, stamping out clones, mandating behaviors in ways that suit a cultural ideology rather than developing the uniqueness of every individual, you have a cult. Sorry to hear about the children, I hope that has changed. If they tried to recruit me, I’d have to return favor and try to teach them the way of freedom in Christ. I’d have to say that most of the hikers probably experience more of God, and genuinely so, than the people in that cult who have oppressed themselves with legalistic doctrines and misinterpretations of Scripture. We were told to “be in the world, but not of the world” which means we were not called to isolate ourselves or withdraw from society, but rather to be normal, good people, exemplary human beings, that do not participate in the crimes, pathologies, destructiveness, or “sins” of the world. We are to be good people through and through and available to our neighbors, should they need our help. And be a light in our communities that when looked to, always, a genuine source of that light is found. Gosh, try finding that in 2023.... seems religious people have turned into some of the worst people out there...

[@ayabokti161]

You people read a lot into nothing

[@boobalooba5786]

Why put the word train in quotes as if implying that every other job on the planet does not also condition and "train" their employees? I remember when I was young and in my first job I had to be taught how to interact with customers as I was working in customer service. And what do you mean "stuck"? Are we as Americans not allowed to choose where we live and whom we interact with? Are these 12 Tribes people made of velcro and if you get too close do they literally stick to you? Do we as Americans not have the religious freedom to choose what we believe?

[@oki__]

@@boobalooba5786​​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠in response to you’re other comment: They are engaging in illegal behaviour by obstructing human rights and commonly propitiating many types of abuse throughout their communities. Once you join these cults you are not allowed to leave freely, have or express unapproved opinions, parent your own children as you see fit or have equal rights and that’s just the surface level commonalities between all the locations. There is an abundance of proof, although it’s likely against your confirmation bias and i doubt you’d care since you’ve already acknowledged that you don’t mind the idea of such human rights violation, undermining your original point of why you think the cult is fine - being they don’t infringe on the all mighty amendments 🦅🇺🇸🦅. A full beating is less abusive than a child drinking a soda? 😂 You’re the exact type of person they’d love to recruit, a gullible ‘back to basics’ idealist. Although I’m sure you’d love to be recruited to a community where you as a man are given inherent superiority over women and their lack of rights as a unacknowledged human. ‘We are not equal we are different’ equal rights means just that, both sexes have equal RIGHTS over themselves. It doesn’t ignore that there are inherent differences between men and women. It just doesn’t give men a baseless power over women and how they live their lives. I can’t quite imagine what you could mean by how equal rights has “led to more human suffering than all wars in history combined”… except I absolutely can and I bet it infringes on you’re original statement of being against ‘fvcking over the fellow man’ or grown adults being treated as grown adults. Eyes wide shut and preaching to the quire… how nuanced

[@standingstonezseanroberts292]

Just a few things - Backpacker and S&R leader with CAP in the past. 1. Never hike alone. 2. most through hikers think they are experts (not) make more mistakes than short hikers. Typically they now depend on cells and GPS - rarely a compass (real - not electronically) Most do not carry multiple maps. The list goes on. Never hike alone, ever for any reason Oh, in todays times - carry a satellite phone and solar charger.

[@daleanderson1727]

What an incredibly creepy story. I grew up in a situation very much like the cult mentioned here and I don't think that you can really understand and appreciate how captivating their trap is. Good on you for reporting this.

[@jgsg2620]

So I had a client tell me that she was in the cult that is connected to twelve tribes and she had to leave in the middle of the night with her 2 kids bc of the way they were treating her kids. She was so scared. She got the help she needed and they set her and her kids up somewhere else. But she said it was wicked sketchy for awhile.

[@ayabokti161]

Hehehe....

[@cosmicmuffin322]

That's the reality behind their friendly, community-serving facade. (From someone who grew up in a Christian cult-ish that has a lot of similarities. You can tell by the fake, super-bright smiles.)

[@steveshea7725]

Lets put on the other side...in mainstream society she could also have a bad relationship on the outside and have to do the same thing, running away from an abusive controlling spouse. That's very common.

[@beckyleheny8636]

Loved it! I have read other thru hikers talk about the Yellow Deli clan. Really appreciate your new information you're putting out! No one is doing this type of vlog/video Keep it up!!!

[@djw8504]

Just what I’m needing today! A good laugh. A year ago today I lost my mom, and she use to watch your videos with me, no worries, she cld not hear very well so mostly didn’t get all the words! Lol! She did say you were a nice looking kid! 😂 You actually gave her a shout out on a live. Thank you, Dorothy 😁

[@KathleenMcCormickLCSWMPH]

Sounds like she was a fun woman. My condolences.

[@djw8504]

@@JohnnyMac76 thank you so much!

[@djw8504]

@@KathleenMcCormickLCSWMPH Thank You so much!!

[@beckiejani7782]

Hey Dorothy, 12 years ago today for my mother. Hang in there!

[@djw8504]

@@beckiejani7782 thank you so much!🙏

[@joshonemoore]

I’m from vermont. I first met the rutland tribe at 16 in the nineties. They are harmless to outsiders. Pretty misogynistic and patriarchal as a community which if anything is less than delightful. Anyone that thinks they have god and salvation figured out are bound to rub others nose in it, they tend to use a subtle hint of superiority mixed with genuine kindness.

[@tomsinter2869]

They are here in B.C. as well, in Nelson, and have the Yellow Deli too. Locals frequent their deli, good PR, but peer pressure and that sense of superiority is how they get others to join. "We have special knowledge that you don't, join us and you'll find out and can feel superior to others too." I had roommates in a cult in the seventies, same sense of self righteousness. It's always young people kind of adrift in life needing a sense of family and someone else to make their decisions for them.

[@ZekeMan62]

The Bible is misogynistic and patriarchal.

[@PPC6627]

I'm a 73 year old woman and have been watching (and leaving likes) on your You Tube stories for weeks now. I just LOVE it! It makes me feel like I'm hiking myself. I hope you have read Grandma Gatewood. I mean, that woman had no gear! It's an amazing read! Thanks for your wonderful posts... I will tell all of my friends and family.

[@NIGHTHAWK-777]

I remember reading about a thru hiker who joined the group. Their parents tried to get them to leave. Anyone remember this story?

[@adamheckle2198]

I have met many of them... I have stayed at the Rutland hostel and eat at the Yellow Deli when I visit. They were actually super nice and warned me of a couple homeless kids around town that were actually messing with hikers.

[@Hans-yb5jc]

Did the serve you human meat ?

[@adamheckle2198]

@@Hans-yb5jc Definitely some vegan Soylent Green.

[@Hans-yb5jc]

@@adamheckle2198 with human meat, 100%, dude

[@MajesticLawnGnome]

@@Hans-yb5jc 😂😂😂😂

[@Honkers716]

The cult’s labor practices have landed it in hot water in the past - the group faced citations for failing to pay the minimum wage in California in 2008, and for child labor law violations in New York in 2018 after “Inside Edition” obtained hidden camera footage of children working in a production plant. Former member Jason Wolfe, 46, who previously lived in Colorado, said he began working construction at 13 and was running 40-man crews on commercial sites by 16. His young age was no secret; he remembered a meeting with the owner of another construction company after he turned 19. “School for the children wasn’t a real priority,” he said. “They encouraged all the kids to go to work. That was the focus.”

[@muttlee9195]

This is not that terrible

[@Honkers716]

@@muttlee9195 That's bc you're uneducated

[@kimballamram552]

I Grew up in Providence RI and they had a community there and had trouble with kids working in one of their businesses. Right before the new millennium they moved to Upstate NY.

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

Honestly, it's better than how a lot of kids in American schools are ending up these days, so maybe they are onto something and the rest of society got it wrong.

[@Honkers716]

@@ANPC-pi9vu or you're just gullible and do what other ppl tell you to do.

[@stephaniestuart3041]

I’ve had a few run ins with the 12 Tribes cult in Colorado. They run a deli in Mantitou Springs and in Boulder. I have been to both and both times I didn’t realize it was a cult (or the same cult) until I was already ordering food. Both times a man approached me with a leaflet and explained they had a farm nearby where they grew all the food. They explained that there was a family of people who tended to the garden and the store in order to keep the family busy 24hrs a day. It was phrased really peculiarly so red flags went up. In both instances I was invited to see the farm, but I told them I had plans already. Plus I wasn’t going to leave with a strange man. The food was extremely good. After leaving the restaurants I looked up reviews on Google to see if anyone else had bizarre experiences. That’s how I figured out it was a cult. On another note, the 12 Tribes in Boulder are being held partially responsible for the Marshall fire which burned down a neighborhood in the Denver suburbs. They had decided to burn their trash on a very windy day.

[@maxasaurus3008]

I dig the fact that you try to keep impartial as that is super important in life. With that said yeah cult, here in Colorado they are suspected of starting a fire that took out a whole neighborhood. The town of Superior, near Boulder Colorado. Great videos sir!❤

[@davefox1553]

I lived in Burlington VT for about 6 years and we always referred to them as the "Island Ponders". They would come down from the North East Kingdom of VT and hang out on the weekends, often putting on dances and such. I always thought they were harmless. You would also see them on Grateful Dead tour back in the 80's and 90's and later they started touring with Phish. They would travel around in Peace Maker and provide medical help to kids on tour that had over done it and were all spun out. They clearly preyed on the kids that lived on tour and tried to indoctrinate them into their way of life. It's an easy sell when you are penniless and full of drugs. I too have heard of abuse issues sporadically over the years and they have been met with a lot of resistance by Phish fans over the last few years as a result and I have not seen them there recently. In the end, I'm not sure how dangerous they really are as Vermont is a small place and I would have heard more about it if so, but they are definitely unique and do actively recruit.

[@Mostie-ev7oh]

Allegedly the tribe drugged the food and drinks they offered to people who were following the Grateful Dead’s tours.

[@bethomas1837]

Last summer my friends and I called them and asked questions about yellow deli and we slipped in a few questions about their communities trying to see if they would try to recruit us but they didn't! The woman was very nice and just answered our questions about the restaurant and where the community that works there is located. We were surprised they didn't preach to us or try to recruit, though I can see why they might choose not to over the phone for several reasons.

[@nwba]

Had a weird experience over there 😵‍💫🚩🚩 - I hiked the long trail in September 2018 (off season). There was only one other guy staying there and we were both in the same room. He told me that he has been staying there for two weeks cause he "lost" all of his IDs over there..and that they are "helping" him to find them... It was very odd.. I slept with my id on me and with pepper spray in my hand and left very early in the morning.. They all had Hebrew names - apparently when you join the cult you need to change your name from your original name. They all had beards and their eyes were like sheep's... Spooky place It feels like they pray on the weak so lone hikers are a good audience for that.. Go there as a group and boost your confidence before going in... They smell lost ppl

[@KyleHatesHiking]

Yikes 🙄

[@kdavis4910]

@@KyleHatesHiking it's not the first time I heard something like this.

[@rynolascavio3381]

I think you are a paranoid person.

[@olgakuchukov6981]

That’s basically the MO of all cults, preying on the lost, weak, solitary, questioning souls.

[@ericbutler739]

​@@olgakuchukov6981 I think they get a lot of families trying to "get back to basics". If it ended there, fine, if you chose that life,if you spanked my kid, it's war.

[@BigWillyDawg]

I stayed there a couple months ago on my thru hike and I’ll say this. They couldn’t of been nicer, the place couldn’t of been cleaner and the food was delicious. And it was all free. And the place was packed with Long Trail Hikers and Thru hikers and no one had a single complaint. Unfortunately the internet spreads bad gossip. And just for everyone’s information, they don’t recruit. People come to them naturally. That’s how they get their following.

[@Seamus95364]

My son and I just finished the Camino del Norte in Spain this summer. We ran into them on the second day, I think. They were very friendly, with a roadside tent, free coffee and snacks, and an invitation to stay with them for free. We made the excuse that it was rather early in the afternoon, and in any case we had reservations in town. Spaniards are friendly, but they were way over the top.

[@kristedsherman9762]

Hey Kyle - 2018 AT, 2019 LT, 2021-2022 PCT hiker here. I stayed at the Rutland Yellow Deli on both my AT and LT hikes. Few things stood out for me - 1: I had to have a guy friend get me a pair of shorts to wear while doing laundry because the female room only had dresses and skirts to wear. 2: The people who worked there were very nice - in fact almost too nice. I didn’t have any recruitment issues (probably because I’m a middle aged woman) but one younger female friend went to work at the farm for a day and felt some pressure. 3: While a little strange after sharing sleeping areas with men for months, it was a little nice to have a separate space for a night - seemed to be less snoring :-) Oh yeah, and the food is really good.

[@kellydiver]

In biblical times, the men wore “dresses” too, if you want to get technical about it. I find it interesting that cults often only impose strict clothing requirements on the women and not the men.

[@chasingtheoutdoors9457]

if u look into other cults that do this it tends (not always) to be because of conservative interpretations of religious texts, definitely an interesting way to kind of unravel the true mindset behind these groups.

[@brianfitch5469]

The spiritual order is God the father over Jesus, Jesus over man, man over woman, woman over children. if you want to get biblical woman are supposed to get their spiritual guidance from their husband. Also mentioned when you leave women to their own devices you get the craziness we have today with "sexual liberation" and getting run through like a yellow light.

[@banjiegirl2001]

@@brianfitch5469 craziness??

[@Firevine]

He literally said that the men have strict requirements as well.

[@dinawhite5175]

I’ve watched videos from members who finally got out of this cult and it’s really scary what they went through and how hard life was for them I’d be very leery of this group

[@ayabokti161]

Hehehe.....you ain't never seen real evil in person

[@WorkingmanX]

@@ayabokti161 I have. Please elaborate.

[@ReVolt_e-Vlogs]

@@ayabokti161 I have as well, looked PURE EVIL in the eyes thousands of time in my life, what "evil" are you speaking of? Growing up in Chicago in the 80s, till 2000's I had to become "evil" myself to survive, especially spending 17 years in some of the nations worst prisons & jails the nation had to offer, thankfully I got a 2nd chance at life, & seized it, now I work with others who were corrupted in early life like I was as a youth....

[@spjr99]

@@ReVolt_e-Vlogs congrats but spend your time on better things than replying to youtube comments man dont get bogged down in the bullshit i am also from chicago (yes the actual city) and i have been blessed with a somewhat stable life but the biggest lesson i learned is that not every comment is a conversation sometimes dumb people say dumb shit and it's not a dick measuring contest gobless

[@argoneonoble]

To be fair, it's hard to escape any cult. Stripping you of free will and not letting you leave is why they earn the label of 'cult.'

[@spjr99]

One thing about cults is it varies. If you are a young man or woman you are a prime target especially if you are unmarried or disillusioned. take caution no matter waht

[@Kimmaline]

If an action is something you could be arrested or sued for doing to an adult, why is it acceptable to do to a child? If my friend does something I don't agree with and I strike her, that is battery under the law. But this is a method of parenting that people are proud of? Because children have less power? I'm a single mom. I'm wheelchair dependent. I have very little help or relief. Somehow I manage to parent without even almost ever raising my voice, I certainly don't physically assault her. She is the sweetest, most helpful, easiest kid on the planet. She wants to help me and make me happy--I'd say to a fault, though she has zero problem telling me when she disagrees with me on something. I cannot fathom what good would have come from introducing the element of fear and pain into our parent-child dynamic. I of all people understand that sometimes we need to make our life easier in the moment. However I think the worst thing we can do as parents is forget what we are *actually* doing: raising adults. I don't see how corporal punishment is in service of anything I want my child to be made of as an adult. I bet these people blanket train too. Disgusting.

[@johnd9357]

Dude, that BUS! I was at amicalola falls a few years ago and that bus was there! I got on and looked around, and they gave me some of the best machta bars I’ve ever had. My wife and I joked that they seemed like a cult, and now I know! They WERE a cult! Holy shit!

[@jamesking4225]

Dude that’s Odie and the yearbook bus lmao

[@SteffenThomsen]

I grew up watching some guys hiking youtube channel. And now he just tried recruiting me to subscribe to his channel.

[@arguchik]

LOL

[@KyleHatesHiking]

😂

[@theotherside5253]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@Ctworld15]

I have friends that grew up in that “community”. I first learned of them when I was tripping balls at a phish festival called Oswego. They try to help people having bad experiences on drugs at festivals. Always thought that was a well calculated and slightly devious plan. Try to get new members when they are in their most impressionable state.

[@connerkubitz7208]

At music festivals they have a very bad reputation of drugging people and trying to convince them to never contact friends or family agian and come away with them. It's common knowledge of you see the big red bus to stay very far away. I'm actually shocked to see so many people saying they're super chill when everyone I've met who had an encounter were all negative.

[@georgemartin1498]

Just to add a “data point”, here in Boulder CO, there has been a Yellow Deli restaurant for at least 10-12 years. It is located in central Boulder in an area with the absolute highest property value in a town of very high value (avg. house value at well over $1M) and one of the most competitive restaurant markets anywhere. The Twelve Tribes own this building, it’s not a lease. So whatever else may be known about this organization, they appear to have a successful business model and significant resources.

[@lh3540]

And they own a ranch at the exact ignition point of the Marshall Fire.

[@_Erendis]

Yeah, great business model... that requires new converts to sell their belongings and give all their money to the group.

[@SpinelessCougar]

A few years ago I spent an evening on their ship when it was docked in Albany. It was a spooky experience. Too much to go into here except to say the women and children never spoke and looked very unhappy. I've been to the deli and hung out at the hostel (did not stay over night) and enjoyed it each time. The guy in charge at the hostel did try to recruit me as a shuttle driver when he learned I was a trail angel but understood when I said "no" when I told him I lived in Albany. Overall, good experiences but I suspect that if I were female I would have my guard up and be more cautious when interacting with the tribe.

[@tb4876]

I enjoyed my stay with them in Rutland Vt. on my AT thru hike. The food at the yellow deli was awesome. I never once felt like they were trying to recruit me, though I suppose it could be very subtle.

[@nelsonx5326]

A friend became a Moonie back in the 70's. It was very difficult for him to get out of that cult. They used high-pressure to keep him in, 'You gotta do this Bobby, it all depends on you'. Cults will weaken a person via a low protein diet. The brain is not as quick and strong as it could be. You can't debate or argue as well when you get into indoctrination group discussions, kind of struggle sessions where whatever beliefs you have are crushed in what appears a logical way. But the debaters are super pros, super trained, and their victims are not aware of this or even imagined it existed. So, does the Yellow Deli serve meat or fish? It was meat eating that grew our stone age ancestors brains to eventually become the apex monsters we are.

[@boobalooba5786]

I don't like this trend of infantilizing adults, nothing is difficult to get "out" of aside from prison. Your friend had perfectly good working legs I assume and could have just walked out in the middle of the night. Either you are a person and can make your own judgements about what you want, or you are not. It's that simple. There is no being "stuck", pressure only works if you want it to work on yourself.

[@bdickinson6751]

Meat good!

[@Hans-yb5jc]

I think they occasionally eat a lonely hiker

[@_Erendis]

@@boobalooba5786 You clearly have no idea how cults work. Do yourself a favour and check out the Freedom of Mind Resource Center to learn the tactics they use to entice and trap people, brainwash and mind control them. I was in a cult, and it was VERY difficult to get free.

[@marknewton6984]

"We Gotta Get Out of this Place"-- The Animals song late 60's

[@samanthab1923]

My son, 26 was up in Rutland checking out train lines. He never mentioned the cult but said he definitely got those weird vibes. Lots of woods around to get lost in kind of thing. And we’re from PA so he’s been on plenty of hikes to abandoned tunnels & such.

[@j80282]

Smh

[@Papakittymeowmeow]

Ay bro! I LOVE your channel. I discovered you today. And been bingeing the trail mysteries videos. I am going to get into the podcast soon. I live in western Mass, and used to live off of rt 9 in Halifax VT, and I especially love the VT focused videos. I wanted to chime in on this one as a new englander and phish kid. They ARE a cult. And they DO recruit aggressively. I used to live in cape cod and in Hyannis they have a restaurant called the common ground. They had bomb organic food but while you’re eating they come to your table, ask what you do, and then let you know that they have need for that in their community. You can have the good food, but need to be willing to put up with the recruiting conversation. Same with the 12 tribes bus. I used to follow phish around, and the bus was at every show I ever was at(almost 100) and they will get to you through food. So they bring spun hippies on the bus to eat the food, and while your twapped out of your mind and chowing down on good food, they ask if you want to join them. Very recently o believe I read an article about the common ground in Hyannis shutting down due to sexual harassment allegations. Don’t quote me on that. Anyway, thought I’d share. I enjoy your videos…keep it up! One love. Derek in Turners Falls

[@garyreid6165]

I have once expressed an interest in thru hiking the AT. I have read a book about one man’s experience thru hiking the AT. He was in Tennessee when this event happened. He got off the trail and caught a ride with two men. One of the men invited him to sit in the front passenger seat while the other sat in the backseat. He insisted on sitting in the back seat with the other man. He had heard stories about hikers getting hurt or killed by supposedly friendly people who offer rides into town. He had a .38 revolver in his pocket and he was ex military. But he advised against having a gun on the trail because the gun and ammunition will weigh a hiker down. The guys were racist and they didn’t hide it. Going with friends on either a thru hike or a section hike is safer because of the strength in numbers. I think I remember the 12 Tribes group story in 1984. If I can recall the story of the raid was featured on the ABC show 20/20. It sounds like you had an interesting time with the folks there. Have a great day. Stay safe. Peace.

[@buzzkemper]

A member of a similar cult tried to recruit me once, promising that if I joined I would feel happy and elated all the time. Funny, because I was already happier than he seemed to be. I politely told him that I would take life's ups and downs on my own terms. Not a tough decision.

[@johnstover4584]

My ass got beat and I thank my father all the time. Look at our country. None of these kids have been spanked.

[@AshleyLewisHolden]

I am a long term visitor of the 12 Tribe here in Australia because I find them to be the most faithful God loving people anywhere. The tribe provide a framework to be able to have a wonderful life serving God full-time and that is a really unique thing in the world. Narrow is the way.

[@jeski82]

this was super interesting, because there's a Yellow Deli here in Australia that I've visited. It's in an artsy/hippyish town called Katoomba, up in the Blue Mountains just outside of Sydney. I actually had no idea they started in the US and have so many locations worldwide. The one I visited looked just like the interior of the one you showed in this video, like the decor/design is pretty much identical. I knew vaguely about it being linked to a cult of some kind when I went there because my friends & locals mentioned it, but like you said they weren't pushy or anything and their food was really good (and cheap, for Katoomba). I did get a bit of a weird vibe in there though, so got my food to go :P

[@johnm4581]

I will say this. I am a adult male who is single and has no children. I have lived in households were multiple people chipped in for the rent we were roommates. I've lived in homes with one other roommate and I've lived in homes with up to 5 other roommates. I live alone now but I could see in the future wanting to get another household with roommates and possibly one that had a spot to do some farming and workshop type stuff I think it's just a smart idea. I am more and more alerted to this type of activity though because I don't just see why more people can't live together without being all cult like

[@mainlinemitch]

Can i come work for you and give you my wife, Master?

[@johnm4581]

@@mainlinemitch I want you baby not your old lady

[@johnm4581]

@@mainlinemitch I want that cocktail.........fruit!

[@johnwheeler4980]

Me and my trail buddy "bag bowl" stayed here and we kept asking about the cult dues. They were pretty nice to us. We let them know from the start that we were both raised catholics and not really into our faith anymore. We did not feel too pressed to do anything we did not want to do. I think bag bowl stayed a few extra days😂 . I miss you bag bowl. O.e.j. 💙

[@billyFNbones]

I met the 12 tribes in Manitou springs Colorado. I loved the fact their cafe was open 24/7(came in clutch in those cold nights when I had nowhere to sleep) but they're very misogynistic

[@SJPuffnstuff]

Im not hitting a child for not listening. Im bigger than they are and not giving them room to grow and using violence and intimidation is not helpful. Also at the same time you cannot reason with a child. Therefore patience is the only option we are left with. Patience and being a good role model. I wish more people knew better.

[@aivarassimonis]

if your child doesnt listen to you , your doing something wrong

[@seano6859]

As dude who grew up in rutland we all just let them exist because they made rlly good sandwiches and we had like no other food options- they’re closed now, but that deli was bomb.

[@rickyhurtt5568]

Right off the bat I'd say they're offering a bed and taking all the converts they can get. There are very few things in this world that's free or atleast the person or group that's offering don't have some kind of ulterior motive. That's something everybody should learn early as possible in life. Nothings free but a mothers love and some aren't even that lucky

[@DoverPipes]

Nothing new. When I was a kid, I used to go to punk / hardcore shows on the East Coast and the Krishnas used be at the shows and they tried to get us to go to their "Sunday Brunch" and stay at their temple. Several folks / band members, in the "scene" joined up. A few are still involved and advocate for the group to this very day.

[@chortleboy]

Yea I grew up in Philly and the Krishna’s had a temple downtown so they were everywhere…they would dance and play drums in big groups down then street singing Krishna Krishna…they were cool people very friendly

[@quinbatcheller5805]

There a 12 tribes community just outside my town, and a yellow deli in town. I can tell you for a fact that they do prey on vulnerable young people, such a s hikers, travellers, high teens at festivals etc. They are super shady and abusive, do not get mixed up with these people, they are dangerous.

[@kikovazquez7277]

Good video. Never heard of this but I haven't been a hiker since I suffered a spinal injury 20 years ago. Looks like the appeal to hit 50K subs was a fantastic success as you now have many more than a quarter million subs just 10 months from when the video was uploaded to YT. The dude in much of the video - tall with long blond hair, really reminds me of my best hiking buddy from the 1970's - that's right, the 1970's. We hiked portions of the Appalachian together. He was a botanist (quite a perk to backpack with a knowledgeable botanist), and an exceptional artisan of carpentry, painstakingly constructing the most beautiful wood furniture you'll ever see. He couldn't make a living doing it because he would not compromise his standards and couldn't be financially productive with the amount of time he needed to complete a project. We lost contact. Last I heard he had been a member of another Christian cult called "The Way". I believe they are well known but all I know of them is they were and probably still are pretty successful in drawing people in and sustaining themselves as a lucrative organization. Of course what my friend did for the group was to build their furniture for a large rural compound they maintained and that he lived on!!! A fantastic landing for an artisan so committed to great work that he couldn't thrive in the commercial world. Btw, I never knew him to have the slightest interest in religion, but happy he found the perfect refuge for his skills, and hope he still walks among us.

[@margali666]

Physical punishment on kids is forbidden by law in Germany. So that might be the ground for placing the kids in foster homes.

[@tuunahh]

12 Tribes also attends music festivals. They have been seen attending in that red bus you mentioned and that they will invite you on and try to convert you with kindness and gifts. I attend Electric Forest most years and one year a man dissapered and was never heard of again, rumor is he joined them.

[@michaelrousseau8851]

My favorite part of staying at the Yellow Deli was wearing the loner clothes that are a carbon copy of what their members wear. I really felt immersed into their culture.

[@ahnessa]

CULTure

[@KaraKirtley]

Another good video. They had the big bus at a road crossing in GA close to trail kickoff last year to do trail magic. We were driving by so we stopped to chat up some new hikers. There was a small child with them who had a black eye. I felt terrible about it and looking back wonder if I could have done something more to help.

[@spacecase7717]

Sounds like they are just an Old Testament religious group. I can see how someone who has never been exposed to it could get "nervous". They just believe in the old ways, spare the rod spoil the child, or men and women don't share a bed unless married, be kind to strangers, that sort of stuff. We could use a little bit more of that these days.

[@brianarbenz1329]

I entered the 12 Tribes bus about 10 years ago during a street fair in my hometown of Louisville. There was just one member inside. He was eating supper. He talked a little with me about their organization. I believe he said they emerged from The Farm, a longtime commune in Tennessee, though I may be wrong on that recollection. He didn't do any heavy stuff, no pushing me to stay on the bus and discover the enlightenment or whatever. I could smell cannabis.

[@richjoebushcraft]

There's a sect in Plymouth, MA, too. Great food. They've driven that big funky bus down to my local hiking trails in Taunton, MA and basically just invited tons of people in to tour and check it out, never actually heading out onto trails, themselves. I could tell right away it was a cult, so I was polite, but limited my interaction. Some of the women on the bus seemed sad though, so I was genuinely uncomfortable.

[@gregkosinski2303]

Do you mean branch?

[@richjoebushcraft]

@@gregkosinski2303 Yeah, I wasn't sure what to call it in regards to a cult... Sect, location, branch, etc.

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

Quite fascinating, thanks for the info. 👍 from Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@BluesStraightFromTheHarp]

So, having been raised in Vermont…I’m well aware of this group. “Spare the rod & spoil the child” was the term I heard was used when the raid happened. Locally, their called the “Moonies”, and there was a group located 15 min away from my last residence in the NE Kingdom of VT (way up north right on the border with Canada) where some still live & operate a deli. The sandwiches are straight up damn good. They have a very strong work ethic, won’t steal yet require rides as they don’t own vehicles. No easy feat in Vermont let alone the Kingdom. From my understanding the religious aspect is very close to Mennonites. I’ve had interactions with some & never felt like I was being stalked or anything strange. Is it fair to believe that they use their deli’s & hiker way stations as a means of “recruiting”, yeah. Are they going to try to induce you to stay with their hypnotic powers…no, not likely. I think they’re mostly hippies who were “reborn”, and are practicing their beliefs to the best of their abilities. Like any organization strength in numbers. I wouldn’t hesitate to stay there at all. It’s pretty much up to the individual, at least from my own local perspective and limited exposure. As for Rutland, Vermont…that’s really the most dangerous part of this leg. The “city” itself…not sandwich making hippies that don’t even use drugs. IMO, no big worry here. Just stay as you need, be respectful, recharge and head out!

[@dennisking4589]

Moonies is not the same group.

[@BluesStraightFromTheHarp]

@@dennisking4589 Well that was how locals at the time & many still do refer to them as…jeez Dennis, relax man. Call em what you want! Lolol

[@dennisking4589]

@@BluesStraightFromTheHarp NAh man do you even Cult bro?!?

[@tarrantcountykid]

Amish don’t drive cars, Mennonites drive but the car has to be plain, no flashy worldly chrome stuff.

[@LaHayeSaint]

Ian -- There's no such thing as a free lunch!

[@henrygarza7]

Nowadays if you just yell at your kid it's child abuse. So I am always iffy about those kind of allegations

[@Ctworld15]

The men dress modestly as well, cuz they make their own clothes. They’re workers. They build those restaurants and shops. They live in massive groups without tech no tvs or computers. They work all day. All money earned is sent to the leader of the tribes who I heard lives in a mansion in California

[@burgetttl]

They target transients, hippies, and spunions. Festivals, hippie towns, ect.. they probably choose their targets wisely. they have existed for a long time as a cult/centralized community.

[@jessepitt]

Spunions?

[@shauncimini72]

@@jessepitt the crustiest of wooks

[@muttlee9195]

A centralised community is not a cult

[@taratreks]

Hi Kyle, love the content. Like some mentioned in your comment section I made a two part doc on the TT a year ago. The video idea began as a fun take on the wacky cult who we stayed with on trail. I did more research as it seems you’ve done and what I found was appalling. I liked your video but they are definitely a cult and people need to be warned about them. Looking forward to the next upload. Keep ‘em coming 🥳🏃‍♀️👏

[@chasingtheoutdoors9457]

i watched appreciated ur video so much, its frustrating to see people in the outdoor communities ignoring and downplaying the challenges minorities face on trail!!

[@taratreks]

@@chasingtheoutdoors9457 thanks for watching, truly appreciated🫶

[@chasingtheoutdoors9457]

@@taratreks i appreciate your voice in the community!!!!! ♥️

[@mainlinemitch]

@@taratreks ur comment needs more likes

[@chasingtheoutdoors9457]

@@mainlinemitch agreed, i dont think kyle did the proper research on this one.

[@armandhammer3782]

Let me see if I understood this. 1. You had a PERSONAL experience with them. 2. They were GOOD to you. 3. They fed you. 4. They gave you shelter. 5. You decided to do this hit piece anyway. Got it. Fook you. I'm out.

[@Zzyzzyx]

I've eaten at The Yellow Deli. The food is extremely good and *cheap* and the people are really nice. They are also very tired and often sad. When I found out it was a cult, I refused to eat there anymore. A friend of mine lives across the street from one of their houses and befriended a young woman member. The woman wanted to leave the cult, but couldn't. I do wonder if the people are even paid for their labor at the deli, or if it's all "volunteer."

[@NotRacist888]

So, I'm from Lancaster,NH they had Simon the tanner, yellow delli and a hostel nearby to where I lived. I was a child family thought they were decent people because they were warm and welcoming. They started creating a vendetta against me when I started asking specifics someone I worked with with dams I spoke to him. He said they're beyond evil stay away.

[@paulmorgan1009]

I live in Ithaca , NY and they used to try and get girls who were freshman to join them at the compound. They were scary and actively predatory in our town. After meeting them in person and hearing and what they do with their children is horrific. They scared us and still are tryna get back and as a victim of violence I am scared. They would keep the children in the back and they operate or did a restaurant called Mate Factor where they advertised their (highly caffeinated) mate and gave it to the girls for free then invited back to the compound. We heard bad things about folks who went and the abuse they commit. We are scared of them. And I grew up near Harpers Ferry where they are targeting. Coming from my experiencein Ithaca and seeing their children and wives in the back and pressing for their grand 144,000 ideal.

[@PantherCreekPlantation]

Hmmm...are you a bigot?

[@paulweeldreyer7457]

How many of these things did you personally know of?

[@sabrinasokal]

Yerba mate has about 78 mg of caffeine per 5 oz cup, which is just less than coffee at 85 mg.

[@paulmorgan1009]

Couple dozen not including the people who have already been at college who told us that was going on as well. Took a while before we realize what was going on I mean 17-year-olds specially my dumb butt. And the caffeine doesn’t really have much to do with it although caffeine content in Mate prepared for American consumers it is not the traditional way or strength. They now have the yellow deli opened up where Mate factor was for years and are pulling the same stuff. Just with sandwiches now in our town.

[@paulmorgan1009]

@@sabrinasokal not really, cause like coffee actually depending on the brewing and many other factors has a widely varied caffeine content. It doesn’t matter whether the caffeine content is higher or not, though it’s what they were and are trying to do. They could be serving dirt on a tray for all I care the way they go about shit and talk about people and treat people is the problem. Also a trad cup of coffee is 8oz in the US.

[@krombopulosmichael6162]

I posit that hikers are already a “weird, religious, hippy-like cult”. Particularly UL 😂

[@KyleHatesHiking]

Hahaha fair enough!

[@westsussexbushcraft812]

Hi Kyle,I lived very close to thos lot in Devon England, they mostly a chilled but I met the boss the founder ,he's a loon and all of the kids there were scared ! I had horses grazing on their paddocks ,I was there once with my 2year old daughter and he the boss came over and started ranting about Satan, having some good trains help me and he got put on his arse ! My daughter and are horses left that day .easily lead people flock to that sort of bs.keep them away from kids and struggling people they prey on them .

[@jesshughes776]

12 TRIBES WOMEN DRESS MODESTLY? I SAW A PICTURE ONLINE OF A BEAUTIFUL MODESTLY DRESSED WOMEN LIKE THESE. THE CAPTION WAS OF HER SAYING, 'WE DON'T DRESS THIS WAY TO COVER OURSELVES UP. WE DRESS THIS WAY TO REVEAL OUR CHARACTER.' ENOUGH SAID. PEACE.

[@40-DAYS]

WHEN I WAS THERE... IT WAS AWESOME... I LOVED IT & THEY WERE VERY KIND.

[@KatieKirkendall]

Excellent craftsman and good food! If you ever have the chance you should eat at the deli. They have been around for a long time. They definitely want to take in the lost. My encounters with them have been harmless but still it’s awkward vibes.

[@JessMegJolly]

This is so crazy to see cause my fiancé and I have lived in Chattanooga for a couple years now after moving from Atlanta, and we’ve visited their restaurant the Yellow Deli cause I’m a vegetarian and our friends recommended it.. I thought it was cool til I looked into the background and holy hell it’s literally a cult.

[@TwelveFrames]

I am very familiar with them. I first encountered them while I was a tour guide at Luray Caverns. They were attempting to start a community near Harrisonburg, VA with some folks from the Rutland community. I later attended a small liberal arts college (now defunct) in Poultney, VT, and they used to come to the campus and try to recruit. They are...interesting. Apparently harmless on the surface, but appearances are deceiving.

[@JamesBond-uz2dm]

Harrisonburg, VA was the home of a killer who slayed two hikers on the AT nearby. KlyeHatesHikes did a video on it.

[@SsDiBoi]

The bias is that the ppl who still partake in this recreation r lost and looking for something

[@christorrence1114]

So the men are "Required" to wear certain clothes and wear their hair a certain way, But the women are "forced" to wear modest clothes, Wouldn't the men and women both be required to conform to a dress code? I don't get the phrasing, Is it done for effect? Seems the men are just as controlled.