The CULT that PREYS on Appalachian Trail Hikers

Twelve Tribes operates a hostel on the Appalachian Trail called the Yellow Deli. It's quite bizarre.

BIG FOUR 🤘

OTHER SLEEPING STUFF 💤

FOOD & WATER 🍴

CLOTHING 👔

ELECTRONICS 🔌

MISCELLANEOUS 🤘

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[GrowbaG]

When something is free than the product is you

[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."
😆

[francisebbecke]

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

[YAE_]

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

[pungo]

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.

[benhauber]

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.

[TimBrogan-xkrm]

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.

[toejamr]

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.

[neilswan]

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!

[kylemccoymusic]

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!"

[birdmusic]

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.

[chtrealty]

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.

[nrobertson]

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

[george-fnoc]

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.

[annwe]

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.

[nekkoskrilla]

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.

[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.

[johnd]

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!

[wht-rabt-obj]

Sounds about 1000% less creepy than Scientology at least.

[patticarrollhernandez]

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...