As the Appalachian Trail began its construction it coincided with several world-wide events, the most prominent being World War II. However, after World War II the first thru-hiker, Earl Shaffer, would complete the Appalachian Trail in its entirety starting from Georgia and finishing in Maine. 

Earl Shaffer, born in 1918, was a World War II soldier who planned on hiking the Appalachian Trail with his best friend Walter Winemiller after the war, but during the Battle of Iwo Jima his friend passed and Shaffer was left to hike the trail alone. It wasn't until he returned to the United States that Shaffer decided to hike the Appalachian Trail in remembrance for his best friend. He began the journey in 1948 and simultaneously kept a journal writing entries throughout the hike. His book Walking With Spring goes further into such details about the history of the Appalachian Trail, as well as the people he met and his emotional and mental responses after World War II.  

He prominently became known for his reason for "walking the army out of my system, both mentally and physically" which inspired others to hike alone after the war ended. (I) In his book, he reflected that the war and loss of his best friend "left me confused and depressed" therefore turning to the Appalachian Trail as a way to heal and cope with his mental and emotional traumas. (II) 

Yet, Shaffer wasn't the only notable veteran hiker who turned to nature as a response from fighting in the war. Martin Papendick served in the United States Navy during World War II before returning home and preparing for his hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. He completed the Pacific Crest Trail in 1952, four years after Earl Shaffer began his hike through the Appalachian Trail. While Shaffer gained nationwide attention for his association of completing The Appalachian Trail, Papendick began planning his hike for the eastern trail and corresponded with Shaffer through letters and meetings during Papendick's preparation for the hike ahead of him.

To the right is a picture of Martin Papendick posing for his photo dressed in the standard U.S Navy uniform.

Below is one of several letters sent to Earl Shaffer from Martin Papendick. He writes to Earl Shaffer that "a Miss Patricia Irvin I once met fits that general type, but I didn't venture even as much as one date..." Their letters gave insight to the variety of conversations they shared whether it was about hiking, the Appalachian Trail, their social life or World War II.