Earl Shaffer in a Hospice

imported
#1

Hey everyone,

This morning, I received from Rusty ( Marty Fors ) an email about Earl Shaffer, the man who first thru-hiked the AT in 1948 and recoutned this exploit by doing it again in 1998.

He is in a hospice in PA and could use you wishes and cards. The prospect is terminal.

Cards & letters can be sent to Veterans Medical Center 1700 S. Lincoln Street Building # 1 5th floor Hospice Lebanon, PA 17042. You may also read more about him at http://earlshaffer.com.

He has blessed so many of us. I had the pleasure of hearing him in '99 at the Gathering in Hanover, NH, and then met and talked with him in '00 at the end of the trail feast in Milliknocket, Maine.

So much of what we enjoy about the trail today was blazed by this man of courage who believed he could do what they said he couldn’t do. He is a true pioneer who saved the AT. We owe him so much.

Mr. Boo

Mr. Boo

#2

How sad, I just had lunch with him at the PA Ruck and he was talking about his upcoming book. (The book is now out in bookstores.) Thanks for the info. Sue/HH

HammockHanger

#3

I hope he can recover, his book was an inspiration to me.

God bless you Earl.

SGT Rock

#4

Thanks for passing along that info. I believe I’ll send a card. Earl Shaffer is an inspiration to many including me. I was hoping to get a chance to meet him. Still hope to. Will be praying for him.

Sweeper

#5

I just read on backpakcing.net that Earl Schaffer passed away today at 2:45 PM.

Today the trail community has lost a legend and a dedicated advocate of the Appalachian Trail.

SGT Rock

#6

peace be with him

Sweeper

#7

. . . the first thru-hiker, on the Long Cruise . . .

Linguini

#8

When a legend dies, their work continues on. There is no greater memorial to Earl than the 2,000 miles plus of trail that is maintained everyday by volunteers, hiked everyday by those wanting a long path in the wilderness to get away from it all, all of us who have been touched by the trail and have grown from the experience, and those who daily share what the trail means to them. What a love that wonderful man guarded for us.

His legacy should be ours. To defend and protect the trail for the next generation.

God’s Speed Earl. Enjoy your new found trail. We will miss you.

Mr. Boo

#9

I’m deeply saddened to learn of Earl’s death. As long as the AT lives on, Earl will never be forgotten. His spirit will forever live on in all of us who have answered the call of the wild and journeyed along that white-blazed trail.
I can’t wait to see the trail Earl’s blazing up there for our footsteps to follow!

Almost There

#10

I received Earl’s latest book “The Appalachian Trail: Calling Me Back To The Hills” about two weeks ago. It is in a journal format detailing his 1998, 50th anniversay hike. The photos by Bart Smith are magnificent. The book has many of Earl’s poems. All in all, it’s a wonderful book.

Earl… hike on brother. We’ll meet you at the first shelter on the other side.

Moose

#11

I just want to second Moose’s opinion on the book. I have enjoyed it very much and it seems to be the most beautiful book concerning the AT that I have come across.

I didn’t learn of his death until today. It is quite sad.

Ganj

#12

I was at Bob Peoples hostel thursday and saw the book. Earl had autographed it and made a note to Bob in it. Bob said Earl had sent it to him a few weeks ago. It is a very nice book with some great pictures.

Bob went to Damascus Friday to drop someone off and while there he was making arrangements for a memorial service to Earl to be held sometime during trail days. It is sad that Earl died but I expect at 83 he had a good life. How many people could complete another thru-hike at 79?

Mark Baker

#13

I told my wife to take me out to the field and ball bat me when I’m done. I WILL NOT be a an old geazer to be pittied. I’ll crawl my last hike in to the woods where I came from before I give in to the system and waste away in some “home” peeing my days away. The AT, for me, has been my return to the food chain. We’re no different that any other species. We just think a little more…mostly for the worse. Have you hugged you planet today? Thanks Earl.

Bushwhack