Earl Shaffer Web Page - Contents Page

Earl Shaffer taking a break
during his 1998 thruhike.

Great CD by Takoma Tedd
Featuring Songs
from Earl's Poetry

Ordering Information

... to the Earl Shaffer Web Page ... a presentation of the Earl Shaffer Foundation that celebrates the life and times of Earl V. Shaffer of Pennsylvania ... writer and poet, naturalist, dedicated environmentalist, and the first person to thruhike the Appalachian Trail from end to end in one continuous journey. We hope you enjoy your visit!

Earl Shaffer and the Appalachian Trail Exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution July 10 - October 11, 2009

We are excited to announce the opening of the Smithsonian Institution's exhibit "Earl Shaffer and the Appalachian Trail" on July 10, 2009, located at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. The exhibit will include Earl's photographs taken along the trail, diaries from the 1948 hike and later ones, letters from hikers asking for advice and papers relating to his activism in numerous environmental and hiking groups. The exhibition will also cover the conception and development of the Appalachian Trail and its larger cultural and environmental impact. See the Smithsonian's official announcement of the exhibition. Admission to the museum is free. Museum hours are 10 am to 5:30 pm daily. More info on getting to the museum.

Earl's Papers Accessible to the Public at the Smithsonian's Archives
An extensive collection of Earl Shaffer's photographs and papers are permanently available for viewing by visitors to the National Museum of American History's Archives in Washington, D.C. An appointment must be scheduled in advance. (Call 202-633-3270 for an appointment.) Here is an index of what is available.

BRAND NEW! Earl's Latest Book BEFORE I WALKED WITH SPRING

Here at last is a prequel to Earl's famous bestselling book, Walking With Spring. Written by Earl during the 4-1/2 years he served in the U.S. Army during World War II, Before I Walked With Spring uses humor and verse to describe in detail the wartime experiences that helped propel him to later become the first Appalachian Trail thru-hiker. The main text of the book is Earl's epic poem "The Doughboy Odyssey," which traces Earl's wide-ranging wartime travels, first training stateside as a Signal Corpsman, then serving in the Pacific theater for most of the war. More info

HOW TO ORDER
Before I Walked With Spring

BRAND NEW! DVD Video Biography of Earl Shaffer

Earl's younger brother John Shaffer narrates this half hour video biography of Earl featuring Shaffer family photos from Earl's early years through his military service, his passion for writing poetry and music, and continuing from his historic 1948 first-ever Appalachian Trail thru-hike through his 50th anniversary thru-hike in 1998. This is a unique and intimate look at the background of the man who invented thru-hiking.

HOW TO ORDER
DVD Video Biography of Earl Shaffer

New Postage Stamp Honoring Earl Celebrates 60 Years of Thru-Hiking

In celebration of the 60th Anniverary of Earl's history-making 1948 thru-hike, a new postage stamp and commemorative event cover is available to order for a limited time. The collectible event cover features a custom-designed stamp bearing a photo of Earl at the northern terminus of the A.T. The stamp was canceled at the Millinocket, Maine, Post Office on August 5, 2008 - exactly 60 years after the completion of Earl's first hike. Only a very limited quantity of this commemorative event cover was produced. You must ORDER NOW to be sure to receive this unique collectors item.

HOW TO ORDER the 60th Anniversary Commemorative Stamp

Shelter Built by Earl Preserved for Display in the Appalachian Trail Museum

On August 2, 2008, an enthusiastic group of volunteers hiked to the site on Peters Mountain (near Duncannon, PA) where Earl Shaffer had built a log Appalachian Trail shelter more than 50 years ago. This was the last shelter still standing of the 6 A.T. shelters that Earl built during his lifetime. Organized by the Appalachian Trail Museum Society, the group held a ceremony honoring Earl's many contributions to the A.T. community, then carefully dismantled the shelter and hauled it on foot 3 miles to the nearest forest service road. More Photos. From there it was transported to temporary storage where it will await the opening of a new Appalachian Trail Museum. Thanks to all the volunteers whose hard work is making possible the preservation of this splendid symbol of Earl's legacy.

Earl's Recent Book, ODE TO THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL LIMITED EDITION AVAILABLE!

While on his final thruhike of the A.T. in 1998, Earl kept a journal which he wrote in the form of an ode, an ancient form of poetry which Earl loved. The Earl Shaffer Foundation has just published this journal in a special softcover Limited Edition which is now available for purchase. The book is beautifully illustrated with color photos of Earl and the Appalachian Trail contributed by friends of Earl Shaffer.

We welcome your support of the Earl Shaffer Foundation. Profits from all sales currently go towards bringing into publication many more of Earl's works which remain yet unpublished.

HOW TO ORDER Ode to the Appalachian Trail

EARL'S FIRST MUSIC CD: ALWAYS IN APRIL

More than just a long distance hiker, Earl Shaffer was a poet, songwriter, folk singer and guitarist. The Foundation is excited to announce that a music CD of Earl performing some of his original work is available to order. Entitled Always in April , the CD contains 17 of Earl's songs, including Long High Lonesome Trail, Allegro to the Sky, Always in April, Robin in the Rain, April Dawn, Laggards Lose, Molly-O-Roon, Chucky Blue, Owl at Twilight, Susquehanna Song, Garlands of Glee, Skies Oer the River, Erin Shore, Midnight Rain, Call of the Turtledove, Juniata Saga, and Perfect Song.

HOW TO ORDER Always in April

SEQUEL TO EARL'S FIRST MUSIC CD: TRAIL OF THE TROPIC MOON

Discovered among a relative's estate, recordings of Earl singing many of the ballads he wrote while he was stationed in the South Pacific during World War II (and others he wrote after he returned home) have just been released in CD format and are now available to order. Entitled Trail of the Tropic Moon , the CD contains 15 of Earl's songs, including Trail of the Tropic Moon, Tongareva Lament, Vagabodage, Wake of the Sea, Keystone Pennsylvania, Old Smoky Ramble, Song of the Timberline, Skies Over the River, Didn't Seem to Care, Loon Yodel, Kinzua Death Chant and Wanderers Quest. New versions of Midnight Rain, Susquehanna Song, and April Dawn, songs on Earl's first CD, complete the new CD.

HOW TO ORDER Trail of the Tropic Moon

Earl's 1948 Slideshow Now Available on DVD

The Foundation recently produced a DVD featuring Earl's original color slides with Earl's own 80-minute narration of his pioneering 1948 thruhike. It also contains his 1948 daily trail journal and other interesting items, including video of several TV interviews conducted during his 1998 50th Anniversary thruhike. The DVD can be ordered from the Foundation for $24.95 plus shipping, with all proceeds benefiting causes dear to Earl. DETAILS HERE

Katahdin Art Project

Operation of the Katahdin Art Project will soon transfer from Bart Smith's Crest Photography to the Earl Shaffer Foundation. Details for purchasing signed copies of this beautiful memorial to Earl will be updated on this website soon.

Go to Earl Shaffer Foundation News Archives.

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