I hiked the AT (Ga-Me in 1976) during my junior year of HS . I met Earl Shaffer one evening at Whiskey Spring when he was visiting us under our (several of us thru hikers) tarp following a thunderstorm and evening of rain while he was filling up his containers with spring water (evidently, he did this periodically)! He sat under our tarp enjoying our fire and company while we talked. Although I did not know he was a famous folk lore, he did tell us of his hike back in the 1940's and being so tired I fell asleep. It was not until I visited the ATC Headquarters in 2014 on a day hike that I actually put it all together that this visitor that evening was Earl Shaffer when I read the newspaper article commemorating his life. Back when I met him I was only 16 yo and really did not know much about the history of the AT nor about key or popular adventurers. I have finally taken time to read his book now and give more thought about his legacy. This is a great slide show with him narrating - thanks for sharing! PS - that was Charlies Bunion in the Smokies that Earl could not remember.
Thank you, David, for that great recollection, and congratulations on your 1976 thru-hike. At age 16, you may have been one of, if not the youngest AT thru-hiker at that time. Please visit our website, earlshaffer.org, and Facebook.com/earlshafferfoundation to learn more about Earl's history and legacy. Many people know of his hikes, but fewer are aware of his poetry, his volunteer work for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and his early role in organizing local hiking organizations to support and maintain the A.T. Earl gave the right to publish his book, "Walking with Spring" to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy for free so that all of the proceeds would benefit future A.T. hikers. He was a humble and dedicated man who lived a simple lifestyle by choice. His "footprints" are his poems, books, songs, the A.T. shelters he built, and the selfless examples he set for us.
My Dad read Earl Schaefer's book, "Walking with Spring" so many times he wore the binding off. Dad was a Boy Scout and hiked the AT with his Troop at the same time period that Schafer hiked the trail. We hiked Mount Katahdin in 1998 on the same day that Schaefer was intending to finish his 50th Anniversary hike. Unfortunately he had been waylaid and finished weeks later. Dad made an announcement at The Summit of Katahdin on that afternoon at the exact time of Schaefer's original finish, informing the gathered hikers that this was the 50th anniversary of the first through hike of the AT. Most the hikers were oblivious and didn't know who Shaeffer was, but I always thought Earl would have appreciated it.
Hi, Mark! Thank you for your comment! I know Earl would have appreciated your father's announcement, so as Earl's nephew (Earl was my father's younger brother), let me express my appreciation on his behalf. As a Boy Scout and Explorer Scout in Troop 94, Shiloh, PA, I hiked on the Appalachian in Pennsylvania, completing all of it in Pennsylvania before I graduated from high school. Hiking and backpacking were our troop's specialty, and Earl Shaffer took us out on several day hikes. Best wishes and Happy Trails! Dan Shaffer
Great video!! Brought back lots of memories and very cool insight from my thru-hike in 2020. Can't believe it cost $.05 to cross the bear mountain bridge over the Hudson River. I would have left a nickel for posterity if I had known. Very cool video!! Is this video at the the memorial in Hot Springs, NC? Also the video stops as Earl is climbing Speck Mtn over looking Mahousuc Notch. After that is when he met Honey and Bear in Andover! I got a chance to stay and meet with Ms Honey on my thru-hike in 2020. Again thanks for posting. Thanks Earl for the inspiration RIP.
I hiked the AT (Ga-Me in 1976) during my junior year of HS . I met Earl Shaffer one evening at Whiskey Spring when he was visiting us under our (several of us thru hikers) tarp following a thunderstorm and evening of rain while he was filling up his containers with spring water (evidently, he did this periodically)! He sat under our tarp enjoying our fire and company while we talked. Although I did not know he was a famous folk lore, he did tell us of his hike back in the 1940's and being so tired I fell asleep. It was not until I visited the ATC Headquarters in 2014 on a day hike that I actually put it all together that this visitor that evening was Earl Shaffer when I read the newspaper article commemorating his life. Back when I met him I was only 16 yo and really did not know much about the history of the AT nor about key or popular adventurers. I have finally taken time to read his book now and give more thought about his legacy. This is a great slide show with him narrating - thanks for sharing! PS - that was Charlies Bunion in the Smokies that Earl could not remember.
Thank you, David, for that great recollection, and congratulations on your 1976 thru-hike. At age 16, you may have been one of, if not the youngest AT thru-hiker at that time. Please visit our website, earlshaffer.org, and Facebook.com/earlshafferfoundation to learn more about Earl's history and legacy. Many people know of his hikes, but fewer are aware of his poetry, his volunteer work for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and his early role in organizing local hiking organizations to support and maintain the A.T. Earl gave the right to publish his book, "Walking with Spring" to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy for free so that all of the proceeds would benefit future A.T. hikers. He was a humble and dedicated man who lived a simple lifestyle by choice. His "footprints" are his poems, books, songs, the A.T. shelters he built, and the selfless examples he set for us.
My Dad read Earl Schaefer's book, "Walking with Spring" so many times he wore the binding off. Dad was a Boy Scout and hiked the AT with his Troop at the same time period that Schafer hiked the trail.
We hiked Mount Katahdin in 1998 on the same day that Schaefer was intending to finish his 50th Anniversary hike. Unfortunately he had been waylaid and finished weeks later. Dad made an announcement at The Summit of Katahdin on that afternoon at the exact time of Schaefer's original finish, informing the gathered hikers that this was the 50th anniversary of the first through hike of the AT. Most the hikers were oblivious and didn't know who Shaeffer was, but I always thought Earl would have appreciated it.
Hi, Mark! Thank you for your comment! I know Earl would have appreciated your father's announcement, so as Earl's nephew (Earl was my father's younger brother), let me express my appreciation on his behalf. As a Boy Scout and Explorer Scout in Troop 94, Shiloh, PA, I hiked on the Appalachian in Pennsylvania, completing all of it in Pennsylvania before I graduated from high school. Hiking and backpacking were our troop's specialty, and Earl Shaffer took us out on several day hikes. Best wishes and Happy Trails! Dan Shaffer
Love this video, I’m going in 2023
Thank you, Anne! I hope this reply catches up with you somewhere on your AT trek. Happy Trails!
Great video!! Brought back lots of memories and very cool insight from my thru-hike in 2020. Can't believe it cost $.05 to cross the bear mountain bridge over the Hudson River. I would have left a nickel for posterity if I had known. Very cool video!! Is this video at the the memorial in Hot Springs, NC? Also the video stops as Earl is climbing Speck Mtn over looking Mahousuc Notch. After that is when he met Honey and Bear in Andover! I got a chance to stay and meet with Ms Honey on my thru-hike in 2020. Again thanks for posting. Thanks Earl for the inspiration RIP.
Love this !! Thanks for sharing
I've been to the Peaks of Otter many times, but that is the first time I have seen the fire tower. Thank you for posting this.
What’s do you think he’s during the auto at 43:50 ?
Let’s say 43:47