First Hiker to do it both ways, dies

“Earl Shaffer's obit was in the Sunday NYT.

Here is a link to another piece:

Earl Shaffer info.”

“Ya'll have filthy minds. He was the first to thru hike the AT and the first to turn around and hike back (both ways).

I can't belive you would disrepect his memory with your impure thoughts.


But least you followed your purient curiosity to this thread and will read about a real hiker.”

“I guess the exertion was just too much for him...”

“I just wanted to know what killed him.


j/k...I figured it was about Shaffer.”

“liver cancer...”

“I am trying not to foul my mind! You make it hard for me when you post like that LOL :)

May he rest in peace and fly with the wind.”

“Damn that is a hard way to go. I hope he is better off now.”

“I would have linked the NYT obit. but I think that it is a subscription service. The man lived to hike. It's pretty funny . . all the debates about gear, equipment, foot wear, light hiking vs backpacks . . .

The man just walked out his back door and went.

Period.”

“I am sorry to hear that!

8(”

“A yo-yo hiker.

Some guy did the JMT when we were on it in 8 days....each way.”

“The New York Times does not charge--I read it most every day. Mary”

“Actually, Earl didn't yo yo. He hiked it south to north in 1948, north to south in 1965(?) and then again south to north on the 50th anniversary of his first hike in 1998 - at the age of 79. He was a lot of fun to talk to -- lots of stories, poetry and music. He really enjoyed talking to other hikers.”