<p>After reading the memoir of Earl Schaffer, the first person to hike the Appalachian Trail, Dave Donaldson wanted to honor the legendary outdorsman by giving himself the trail name Spirit of 48. What he didn't anticipate though was spending part of his hike with the AT's <em>original</em> thru-hiker and forming a friendship that would stay with him forever. </p>

33 - Nancy Reeder

70 years ago, the Appalachian Trail was thru-hiked for the first time by WWII veteran Earl Shaffer. The2180 is a series of 70 stories from 70 people who have made the Appalachian Trail a part of their life,  and in the process, have found a larger understanding of themselves and the world around them through the crown jewel of the American hiking experience.