Walking with Spring Audiobook By Earl V. Shaffer cover art

Walking with Spring

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Walking with Spring

By: Earl V. Shaffer
Narrated by: Danny Campbell
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In 1948, the Appalachian Trail had been a continuous, 2,000-mile footpath for eleven years, but no one had walked its length alone in a continuous journey—until Earl Shaffer, a quiet Pennsylvanian, became a hiking legend and the first of what is now more than 5,500 A.T. "thru-hikers," walking from Georgia to Maine as spring arrived to each area. In 1998, he hiked again as a 50th-anniversary celebration, to far greater publicity. This is the lyrical account of his fabled 1948 walk.

Written soon after the first of his three thru-hikes, Walking with Spring chronicles Shaffer's adventures along a path that at the time was showing neglect of the war years and has since been rerouted significantly to its permanent location. His simply stated story has served as an inspiration for more than 9,000 men and women who have since followed in his footsteps . . . and many more who have tried.

©2004 Earl Shaffer Foundation (P)2022 Tantor Adventurers, Explorers & Survival
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If you’re a hiker you should already have read this book—so get it now and participate. I was surprised by Shaffer’s writing ability—he has a lovely way with words—and by his literary references. His tales of his thru-hike are believable and entertaining. And if you know anything about the various waypoints along the AT you’ll recognize many of the locations.

The original sin!

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Obviously this is an iconic story of the first through hiker on the AT…but the narrator talks quickly and without any inflection so it sounds like someone reading off a page not telling an engaging, important story.

Story is good just didn’t like the narration

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A great account of a tremendous accomplishment. It open the door to many who would come afterwards

Just a great account of what it was like

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Like many others, I have wanted to hike the AT either as a thru or a section hike. I've read or listened to other thru-hike books set since the turn of the century and was recently reminded that Shaffer's book existed.

Shaffer's approach is to tell the story of his walk, the story of the trail, and frequently the history that interacted with various parts of the trail.

You won't find modern equipment suggestions and Shaffer points out many parts of the trail that have been re-routed around but you do get to see the mindset of the original thru-hiker and receive his inspiration.

AT thru hike origin story

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The first account is somehow one of the simplest and yet the most moving. I can see how this story has inspired thousands of people to attempt to complete the life changing journey.

simple, moving, inspiring

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A book for anyone who loves the Appalachian Trail and it's history. Truly a joy to hear first hand the story of the first thru hike.

a good read

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