Many Penn State students and faculty have hiked sections of the trail, which spans from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine and passes through about 13 states. When I got into high school, I always had a taste for adventure. Another adventurer, Earl Shaffer of York Springs, recently made his second complete hike along the trail, just before his 80th birthday. Shaffer was the first person to hike the entire trail back in 1948. A highlight hikers encounter along the trail is the interesting people who become almost like a family, Marco said.
People seem to be friendlier on the trail.
At the end of a day's hike, making dinner, relaxing in the woods and conversing with other hikers near a campfire are typical on the trail, he said. Tom Thwaites, retired professor of physics, hiked the entire trail in sections, covering about a total of 1,500 miles. Deer also tend to stand and stomp their feet if they don't want a hiker in their territory. Various types of people hike the trail, from older couples to younger college students. Each plan for the journey in different ways.