Me and my friend from the Army and I hiked the trail and was approached by three Hippie looking dudes who wanted to talk to us about their new utopian community, and we said we weren't interested. Then they said we needed to pay to continue to walk "their" part of the trail. We said our taxes that we pay every year goes to that. They, for some reason, started to get really stupid with us holding their hiking sticks in a threatening manner. We laughed and said you want those sticks shoved up your asses you should move. One of the more scruffy looking one took a step towards my friend, and we both pulled out our small pew pews, and they all three stopped and said guns aren't permitted on their trail. My friend said take them, please. They left us after that.

Make no mistake kids. When the product is free, you're the product!!

On the 3rd day hiking, my buddy and I came across a group of really nice people. Some were in their 50s/60s, others younger than us. We were just about out of Georgia at that point heading North. They were clearly hippies and seemed off. They invited every hiker to join in on free hot dogs, snacks, and beer. We hung out and even set up camp nerby, but they creeped us out a lot. They told us they drove from around Maine to Georgia and back to spend the entire hiking season every year supporting hikers. They kept talking about how they couldn't wait to get to know us on our journey. Some of them said they used to be hikers, but were now a part of the travelling cravan. We quietly left before dawn the next day. A week or so later we went to restock on supplies in a nearby town. One of the hippies came into the general store we were in, recognized us, and told us they were a few miles ahead. Once she left, the man behind the counter told us to stay the hell away from that group. That most "trail angels" he sees are harmless, but that particular group was well known for preying on young hikers like us. He knew them all by name and said we weren't even the first this year he's had to warn. So when we got back to the trail, we decided to set up camp early hoping to end up further behind that group. Never ran into them again for the duration of our journey. Every other "trail angel" we ran into was a Godsend.

I live in Chattanooga, and we have a Yellow Deli restaurant here, just off the campus of UTC. They serve deli sandwiches and their walls are COVERED with religious quotes. Years ago my sister-in-law got sucked in to their cult and was about to join the 12 tribes. She had sworn to give them all of her possessions, including her car (at the time was in her dad's name.) He went to the location she was living, and through threats of violence and legal actions, he left with her, her stuff and his car. I don't condone violence, but in this case it worked.

When you’re miles into the woods the laws can’t actually be enforced, it’s up to you to protect yourself.

My neighbor’s big brother ended up getting sucked into the 12 tribes and worked really hard farming for them for 11 years. They treated him like a second class person because they have white supremacist philosophy, and they were constantly manipulating and playing mind games on him. He wrote a book about his experience after escaping called “Better than a Turkish Prison” Its worth reading.

As an Appalachian Trail hiker, we know about these jerks. They've been around a long time. Many hostels ask for donations only in order to avoid paying a business tax. If you're not charging, you're not in business.

There are several Yellow Delis in the NorthEast I grew up near one in NY. Some friends of my parents (a married couple without kids) would frequent the deli and got to know a teenage girl (15) who worked there. She always chatted them up and they became pretty close. These friends owned a business in town not too far from the deli. One day late at night they were closing up the shop and the teen girl appear frantically banging at their door practically begging them to take her in. They let her stay at their house and she explained that her older brother (over 18) had recently ran away from the cult and as punishment the leader of the chapter had ordered her parents to send her away to California so that she could be married to the leader of the cult as retribution for her brother leaving. She explained that her parents had agreed and explained to her what a great honor it would be to carry the children of the cult leader and this she fled in the night to save herself from becoming a sex slave. The cult ultimately pressed charges for kidnapping but the young girl testified against her parents and the cult that they regularly abused her, denied her any education and indoctrinated her for years. My friends beat the charges and ultimately adopted the girl. She said her parents had been homeless alcoholics prior to joining the cult and were lured in with what started as charity but ultimately became complete brain washing. All money was controlled by the chapter leaders and the group was forbidden from contacting outsiders beyond strictly overseen situations like at the delis. These people are pedophiles and master manipulators who try to take advantage of the less fortunate at their lowest to steal everything from them. Many people hike the AT at times of uncertainty in their lives and might fall prey to these vultures and many people in the cult have themselves been mislead into its clutches. Be very careful here.

“Cult that prays on hikers” “Oh that’s nice” “Preys” “Oh “ 5.1k likes, that’s dumb

The 12 Tribes will try to get you to join their cult and work on their commune. This is a teaching lesson that not everyone who is friendly and giving is your friend.

Remember kids, if something is free, then you are the product

I like how at the start of the video he confidently identifies them as a cult. At the end of the video he’s like “maybe there’s something going on here? Maybe?” It’s like bro. Pick a lane

You can check out anytime you want, But you can never leave.

You forgot to mention the fact that alot of the hikers are kind of lost souls looking for something but are not quite sure what it is they are searching for. Prime fodder for these groups.

As a Vermont native and someone who goes outdoors a lot, also living just down the road from one of the groups farms they are incredibly, deeply unsettling people. I had one woman come into my work and give out pamphlets to all the employees and customers. I had to ask her to leave and she got beet red in the face that I was ‘denying her’ from spreading their word, and when we closed late at night and I was walking I noticed that she was sitting with a man in a truck across the street, watching me. I’ve seen and heard of some worse encounters, they are most certainly a cult.

They exists throughout the OZARK mountain trails too. Watch for random tent people .

They also "provide medical attention" at Phish shows. Stay away from them.

I used to work right next door to this place! My aunt, who is an old hippy with dreads down to her feet, used to let Appalachian trail hikers stay in the barn at her house on South Street in Bennington, Vermont. She lovingly called it "The Vortex." She never expected any kind of payment. The first night was always given and if they stayed longer, they were only asked to help out around the property whether that be yard work or cleaning. She doesn't live there anymore- she bought an old school bus, painted murals all over it and now drives it around the country. But if this channel gets a lot of hikers, which I'm assuming it does, I'm sure there are a few that have been through The Vortex ❤

All I can add to this is, one time, long ago, in a jam with no place to go at the time living in Va., I found a 12 tribes website, which led me to a farm, construction business & coffee shop in the Shenandoah Valley run by them. I emailed them at first with my situation, my willingness & ability to work, and expressed it would only be temporary. But then I got a phone call from some younger guy who said he ran that entire operation and just the way he said to me "Come on brother, what are you waiting on?" right after he asked me what sort of liquid assets I would bring with me and have access to. As soon as I ended that call I forgot all about the 12 tribes cult/extortion racket and their slave labor operations.

I fish in Alaska's Bristol Bay during the summer, and they have a site there to supply their deli. We've never had any actual bad stuff happen, but they're always trying to lure the crew in for tea. Oh, and their children NEVER smile. Ever. The adults are friendly and outgoing, but the kids have some serious "Children of the Corn" energy. Pretty spooky.

Don't drink the green drink. There's a yellow deli near me. As soon as you walk in you can tell something is way off. The staff act like they will be beaten if they talk out of line. Real creepy vibe.

The Yellow Deli isn’t just in Appalachia, they have destinations/restaurants all over the country. There’s a couple in California and I know a lot of them tend to be near college campuses and tourist destinations

I stayed with them for a week. I think when you actually go to live with them you sign away your assets to them if you have any. You’re supposed to do everything for the good of the tribe. These guys go way back. They used to prey on people tripping on acid at Grateful Dead shows, take them on their bus, and take them away to live in one of their “communities”.

Fun Fact: In 1955, at the age of 67, Grandma Emma Gatewood was the first woman to hike the Appalachian trail. She told her family she was going for a walk and called them 3 months later from the AT.

Stay. A. Way! A couple of us went to the Chattanooga hive and saw it first hand. Right away, they tried separating the husband's from the wives, and the whole group had a wolf pack vibe.

There's a Yellow Deli down the road from where I live (Vista, CA). Its actually a really unique place with a tavern style architecture that's very homey and I'd recommend going otherwise. The problem is the employees/family are dead inside, and you can tell there is definitely something off. We thought it was family owned because they all dressed Amish but they had unusual social cues. They have a farm here too called Morningstar Ranch where they supposedly get their food from. If you're unfamiliar, it's best to avoid people who name things "Morningstar". Really quite absurd people. Wasn't surprised to find out it's a cult.

'Most hostels suggest a donation, they're different - they suggest a donation' Alright

A KZfaqr, RecklessBen has covered this massively and infiltrated them, I highly recommend his videos on the Yellow Deli

Every city that they’re in, they set up in specific locations, near vulnerable populations. Usually near universities. It’s always intentional. I can confirm, my fam used to rescue people from 12 tribes.

It would be great to see a Netflix documentary about this, or even better yet, a horror film about it 😂

This actually makes a ton of sense. We are staying at a campground on the pacific crest trail(just outside LA), we have helped a few people(mainly because I have kids & I always think what would I want if those were MY kids in that situation...plus we spent a decade in TX & thats just what you do) All are grateful, some start off suspicious....makes more sense now.

You never even explained what the cult does or how it manages to get the people to join

They have a Yellow Deli in Vista California and they prey on the Van life kids who live by the beach. Also please do not support their products or services they provide. The people that work at the Yellow Deli do not get paid.

It’s illegal to charge a trail fee, so if any hostel tries to charge or tax you to use the trail you call the police on them

Once you're in, if you try to leave the 12 tribes, they'll send you to another part of the world. It happened to my friend Abigail 😔

When I was in college, one of my professors joined the 12 tribes. Got himself fired when he started handing out pamphlets in class.

So people know, that isn't their only location, another is in Valley Center, CA. They ask you to sign over all of your assets, it is how they make money. FBI and cops won't do anything because I'm sure they get a kick back. Reckless Ben's recent video pretty much proves this point as the cops admit they have a working relation. Thank you for raising awareness about these domestic terrorists who use child and slave labor.

My boy scout group stayed at a yellow deli at one point, originally we were going to stay for two nights but those delivery guys just gave us all bad vibes. No matter how nice it just felt off. Only a few of us could sleep that night, because of that feeling. So when we finished the 1st half of our trip and found that the deli was the only place available for us at the new location our leaders ended it a day early and had their wives and other church members pick us up, we were about an 8 hour drive from home. I'll never forget that creepy feeling those deli guys gave me though.

The Yellow Deli has a restaurant in San Diego county, and is exactly the same as this. They target people who are vulnerable to cult practices.

If you go to the Yellow Deli and don’t feel a strange vide your not very emotionally aware. The place is strange, food is good.

They tried getting me to join for free food. I used to clean their pool on one of their compounds. The kids always looked so sad.

Anytime you meet a stranger out on a trail, you should instantly be very wary and be ready to defend yourself. Too many crazies out there and you can't take the risk of not being well armed.

They target college students a TON. They have a Yellow Deli on campus at UTC (Chattanooga). I went to school there. The yellow deli was always a place we all went, it felt very homey and the folks seemed very friendly. It was a welcome reprieve for students feeling homesick, wanting a warm “home cooked” meal. They had lots of different teas and stuff too. Tbh the food was really good. Too bad they’re a horrible sex cult 😳 Didn’t learn about the truth until many years after college. There were always rumors that it was run by a cult, but most of us I think assumed people were being dramatic- the folks running the deli seemed more like Mennonite or something of that nature.

"Beware the man who calls the mountains, woods, and waters home, woefully often they've a heart of coal" -some old man i went to church with a long time ago.

This is why you carry a "walking stick" with you.

They also prey on hippies at jam band concerts. They have for years. They look for people who are high on psychedelics or lost and take them in and people literally never see them again. They have huge buses and go on tour with Phish, WSP, Dead related bands etc. They are not good people and I recommend people stay far away from them.

Honestly man these people were nice to me on my thru hike. I just stayed for one night and they were kind and respectful. Just don’t drink the macha lol

Dude just called anybody doing extended travel homeless 🤣

The Yellow Deli has a restaurant in Chattanooga, TN. I haven't been, but I've heard the food is delicious. I've also been told to not go alone because they try really hard to convert you if you are.

Generally if you aren't paying customer you are the product

Now I'm gonna start carrying on hikes. Not just because of dangerous wildlife, because of these people.

Additionally, intense child abuse is a mandatory part of their doctrine.

If they don’t make money on the hostel, they are making it somewhere else. That sounds like a lot more than a cult to me.

They have branch in my home town (Pulaski, TN). They get in trouble from time to time for violating child labor laws. Also, it’s common for members to go without food if they’ve upset the group.

My family was seduced by this cult. They are all out now, but the younger ones are still dealing with the fallout.

Note to self always carry double barrel shotgun in bag when hiking

As someone who lives close the this stretch of mountains but in another state I can say that anytime you go into the woods it’s a good rule of thumb to have a firearm or two. I will take a 9mm striker fire and depending on where I’m going possibly even an SBR in the backpack. One thing you do NOT want to experience is people out in the woods with nefarious intentions. Nobody is coming to help you and it’s best to have fire superiority😂

Had a hippie group try to do this on a few trails out here I was on a trail scouting for deer season coming up I was stopped by two guys it first seemed like they just wanted to talk then they told me there's a fee for the trail I told them last I checked this is state maintained trail my taxes cover that the guy doing the talking got aggressive and the other looked like he was gonna try something so I painted them both with bear spray walked back to the parking lot and called the county sheriff department this went in for months with other hikers till forestry wild life officers started making arrests no issues since

He showed a photo of Nimble Will Nomad!! Props to Nimble Will, a long distance hiker. Followed him when he hiked R66 in 2017.

"If it sounds too good to be true, it is." Always talk logically. If they don't want a payment, but expect your time, it's time to bounce.

These people are why I seldom hike alone and when I do I have my dogs with me. They’re big enough and scarier enough to keep me out of trouble, plus my boy has the ability to see into a man’s soul on sight and give an accurate character assessment for me 😂 So yeah, doubt he’d like this bunch.

My best friend grew up in this cult-hearing the reality within it and the effect it has had is harrowing and I can’t believe it still exists

They also target young college kids. They’ve started opening Yellow Delis near universities across the Tennessee Valley.

that’s why i NEVER hit the trail without my handgun or any type of personal protection.. i’ll always sacrifice weight for security and peace-of-mind. Also i strongly believe in the saying “it’s wiser to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.”

Knew a guy named Hawkeye that worked in the yellow deli in Oceanside, CA. One of my friends was trying to get info out of him about the women in the back that had bruises on them. My friend dragged me with him constantly to look into the shady ness he was concerned about.

Be careful all. Make sure your packing while on the trail.

Reckless Ben has been doing some videos about the 12 Tribes and infiltrating them.

Remember kiddos, carry a firearm wherever you go. Whether its man or nature, some things will prey on you. Pray you never use it, but stay trained and vigilant. It is your last resort, remember that and act accordingly

If you don't pay with cash, you pay with something else. Usually you are the commodity.

This is just a different version of “If you’re not paying, you’re the product”

Had a co-worker who got stuck and stranded in of these places when his camper van broke down and he ended up getting help from this type of group and couldnt leave for months.

There's a yellow deli in Oneonta, NY. If you live near there and haven't heard about these psychos... stay away

we have these Twelve Tribe weirdos here in Ithaca too. They made some good wraps when their restaurant was open but they are legit creepy.

Sounds more like strategic marketing and aggressive panhandling

I've stopped in the deli before on my way to visit my family, and the vibe is sooooo weird, like you can feel that the employees aren't just employees, and if you try to talk to them one-on-one one the older male hosts will steer the conversation away

There is also a Yellow Deli in Chattanooga, TN and they prey on college students as they are VERY CLOSE to the campus.

They have one in Winnipeg and they’re SUPER rude to healthcare workers and they have had a ton of their kids taken away by CPS

I skate with a kid who lives with a cult. He and his little brother are actually the nicest and most humble people I’ve ever met. He’s never once mentioned it or pushed it on me.

Anyone is a fool that doesn’t carry a firearm with them!!

Where I live there is a restaurant operated by these guys in New York and when I was an intern I was in their town. Creepiest fuckers I ever met who don’t pay their employees and tried to convert some of us. The creepiest encounter with them was when three of us went there, the waitress seemed to be zonked out and when she came back in the end to ask if we wanted dessert, we said we were good, she then put her hands together leaned to the right and just said in the creepiest wispy voice, “contentness”. Needless to say we never went back

I live in a town right outside the city where this hostel is! It's really common to pick up hitchhikers and drop them off at the yellow deli and the deli is located on the busiest street in the city. Most people recognize the employees as pretty weird but most don't seem to realize it's this super messed up cult.

I’ve hiked the Appalachian trail (Va) on many occasions. The essential list: -Rope or something similar -Mylar emergency blanket -Flashlight(extra batteries) -Zippo Lighter -Life straw - bag of raisin and a small jar of peanut butter - cell or satellite phone And a must is a firearm with ammunition (454 Casul is my preference ) Safe hiking everyone and it’s always good to hike with at least 4 companions to cover every angle .

The last short before bed:

Here in Chattanooga,TN we have a Yellow deli. Theres always been rumors around about the people that work there being in a cult of some sort, and didn't believe it really until one day our waiter gave us a bunch of pamphlets and tried to invite us to hang out with them. This is like a local thing, funny to see it online

“It takes all kinds of critters to make Farmer Vincent’s fritters.” -Motel Hell 😂

They aren't kidnapping just making them stay longer.

Why the hell hasn't the Justice Department shut them down?? They might be the ones murdering hikers!

My friend had an awful time leaving this cult. Love bombing is how they get you in and make you comfortable but things change when you choose to stay. They certainly recruit in particular places like hiking trails, concerts and universities areas.

I went there once long ago. It wasn’t a totally horrible experience. The thing that put me off and several others was when one dude started yelling at another dude for missing a volleyball hit during a fun match. The yelling was so intense that it shook us, since all of their behavior up to that point had been fairly genial.

They also have another chapter that has infiltrated parts of San Diego California. Moved into some guys house way way back and found out that he was apart of that tribe and bounced fast. He shortly after our departure found out from another tenant that the sheriffs department raided his home and no one ever saw him again

My S&W snubbie fits perfectly into a side pocket of my backpack.

Evading Federal Taxes would be the first game they're playing.

A lot of people disappear forever on that trail. It’s never good to hike completely alone in any state parks because shady stuff happens and also if you fall or get a serious injury you could end up succumbing to the elements and dying.

Twelve Tribes also has a division in Chattanooga where we also have a Yellow Deli. They were run out of town inthe 70s but somehow were able to re-establish themselves here around 10 or so years ago.

Not just vermont. They’ve got a bunch of locations across North America

They have a commune/farm/church/shop in Northern Virginia, between Hillsboro and Purcellville, not too far from Harpers Ferry, WV. They will pick hikers up and bring them to the commune and provide food and shelter... but it gets creepy.

Thank you for spreading awareness of these nutjobs. The comments suggest they harangue and threaten people frequently. These cults revel in the shadows, and Public scrutiny will teach them to behave.

So I worked with a guy who invited me to go to Killington to ski. (He lived in Rutland), so i went up to visit for a few days. He took me to that Deli. It was completely vegan, and I left still kinda hungry after a big sandwich. As we were leaving, we got into a conversation about boats and how they own one for the people in the group to go vacation on. The girl almost had a stroke when I told her the wood it was made out of is endangered now. Anyway, I told him after we left that it was a cult. The tables are handmade and have "bible " quotes around the edges. I grew up wanting to be a missionary, so I knew my bible and knew they were slightly tweaked. He said oh no. That's because they use blah blah bible. Don't remember the name, I have never heard of it either. A few months later, he comes to work with some guy in tow. Says he "drank the kool-aid" and joined the group. This guy stayed by his side for about 3 months. Like glued to his side. A few years on.... they kicked him out because he refused to hand over his 401k and house to them. Also, they had a problem with him not wanting to marry (he was twice married and divorced to the same woman) It was absolutely crazy. He never wanted to sit down and discuss the bible with me, or pray together. Nothing. Very secretive abouts this "Christian" community

They didn't charge me any money but instead insisted on milking 11 teaspoons of man gravy out of me while being held down by people reading Ben and Jerry's ice cream ingredient labels.. wasn't sure at first but I have been going back every year for as long as I can remember..

Don’t forget about their cafe the Mate Factor in Manitou Springs. They like to follow Phish shows and other hippie shows and pick up people tripping too hard, because in their bus they use the altered state of mind their victim is in to brain wash them. Living in Manitou, it’s really sad to see the cultists you can tell were brain washed, they’re barely there. And I also feel very badly for the children, who walk to work at young ages while looking at the general public in bewilderment and longing.