A Journey of Necessity and Care
In 1948, World War II veteran Earl Shaffer became the first person to hike the entire Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. He carried only essential gear, ditching his tent and sleeping under a poncho. His boots, a pair of Russell Moccasin “Birdshooters,” endured all 2,000 miles, requiring constant repair and two sole replacements.
The Notebook That Traveled 2,000 Miles
Among his few possessions, Shaffer carried a small six-ring notebook, which he called his “little black book.” Weighing just a few ounces, it served as both proof of his journey and a personal journal. In it, he recorded poetic observations about nature, encounters with animals, and the physical and mental toll of the trail.
Walking to Escape War
Shaffer, 29 at the time, said he hiked the trail to “walk the war out of [his] system.” Having served four years in the South Pacific, he saw reminders of battle everywhere, from war memorials to the landscape itself. He also recalled Walter, a childhood friend killed on Iwo Jima, with whom he had planned to hike the trail.
From First to Oldest
Shaffer completed his historic hike in 124 days, proving the trail could be walked in a single journey. In 1998, at age 79, he hiked it again, becoming the oldest person to complete the route.
In 1948, Earl Shaffer became the first person to hike the Appalachian Trail, a feat many thought impossible. A World War II veteran, he carried minimal gear, relying on Russell Moccasin boots and a poncho for shelter. Along the way, he documented his journey in a small notebook. pic.twitter.com/6lucWe8eOn
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