The Appalachian Trail: Calling Me Back to the Hills

by Bart Smith (Photographer), Earl V. Shaffer

In 1948, young war veteran Earl Shaffer did what many people said couldn't be done: He trekked the entire length of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Main in one sting- walking in to the history books as the trail's first solo thru-hider. And in 1998, on the 50th anniversary of that hike, the 79-year-old Shaffer did it again. Now a legend, Shaffer recalls his anniversary trip and pays homage to the Appalachian Trail through his own prose and poetry, enhanced by Bart Smith's stunning photographs. From its southern terminus near the sparkling Amicalola Falls in Georgia to the magnificent Mount Katahdin in Main more than 2,000 miles to the north, join Shaffer and Smith on their amazing journeys along the Appalachian Trail.

Genres: Nonfiction

128 pages, Hardcover

First published February 10, 2002

Reviews

[Christine Mathieu]

What a wonderful coffee table book and a good companion to Shaffer's AT autobiograhy.

[Daniel Serrao]

This is a beautiful book. It is what I would call a coffee table book. It is large-sized with beautiful photos by Bart Smith and text by Earl V. Shaffer, the man credited with being the first through hiker of the Appalachian Trail. The text in this book documents his third through hike of the trail. It also includes inspiring poetry by Shaffer. I truly enjoyed this book.

[Becky]

Fantastic pictures and it's like you are right there with Earl on this journey, 50 years after he broke the record for hiking end to end in one trip.

[Kurt]

Another A.T. book, and another by the original thru-hiker. This one follows Earl Shaffer on his third, and last, thru-hike, made on the 50th anniversary of his first thru-hike. Both the Trail and the man had changed during the intervening half century. The photos are worth a look through even if you don't read the text (which you should read). I skipped the poetry.

[Michel]

The 5-stars are for the photography, so beautiful it brings tears to your eyes.
Earl Shaffer's account of his thru hike (2160mi...) at age 79 is also deeply moving, and his poems are so visual, they complement this photo anthology like setting a stone.
Each time I browse it, I yearn "to see the verdant slopes that rise / with dip and curve against the skies".

[Maeleah]

Awesome photos and inspiring photos! Great for appreciating nature.

[Meredith]

I thoroughly enjoyed the photography and Earl's poetry. I read this pretty much in one sitting.