View Full Version : Transcribing Earl Shaffer's 1948 AT Hike Diary
The Smithsonian has a program where volunteers can help transcribe documents. Currently they are working on Earl Shaffer's 1948 AT Hike diary. You can see the diary here: https://transcription.si.edu/project/6734
I signed up and transcribed page 31 in about a half hour.
rocketsocks
06-26-2014, 19:03
That's interesting Don, curious what do you do if you can't make out a word, is there a foot note system er somethin.
...reading further, I see how it works now, pretty cool program.
Kerosene
06-26-2014, 19:16
Pretty cool. Thanks Don H! I transcribed one of the pages just for kicks covering The Priest to Waynesboro. Neat. Maybe I'll submit my trail journals to the Library of Congress or Smithsonian!
That's interesting Don, curious what do you do if you can't make out a word, is there a foot note system er somethin.
...reading further, I see how it works now, pretty cool program.
They have a short tutorial you take before starting. It tells you if you can't make out a word you type [[?]].
I'm hooked, I did page 32 also! Interesting read too. Seems he's walking the Parkway a lot in VA.
SawnieRobertson
06-26-2014, 19:28
Cool is definitely the right word. Thank you.
gunner76
06-26-2014, 19:42
Good find. Just read several of the translated pages. I can see I will be back to read some more.
rocketsocks
06-26-2014, 20:02
They have a short tutorial you take before starting. It tells you if you can't make out a word you type [[?]].
I'm hooked, I did page 32 also! Interesting read too. Seems he's walking the Parkway a lot in VA.Lots of other cool projects too, I could get lost there...Book marked!
Fussymary
06-26-2014, 20:45
Thanks for sharing. Just transcribed several pages and its really cool! Will go back for more.
Ricky&Jack
06-26-2014, 20:48
That's pretty neat. I had no idea about the transcribing possibilities.
Patrickjd9
06-27-2014, 11:23
Interesting read too. Seems he's walking the Parkway a lot in VA.
I understand the Parkway was put on top of the original trail route in many places between Roanoke and Waynesboro. It would have taken time to lay out replacement trail, especially before people had cars to get there again after WWII.
"Decided to follow Parkway a while since trail parallels it on dirt roads and its easier walking on grass along Parkway."
Shaffer's AT Journal, page 31
Old Hiker
06-27-2014, 19:30
Jumped to page 91 - transcribed in about 15 - 20 minutes. I only had trouble with one word: the last name of a fisherman who gave him a ride. Pretty cool.
rocketsocks
06-28-2014, 18:42
Jumped to page 91 - transcribed in about 15 - 20 minutes. I only had trouble with one word: the last name of a fisherman who gave him a ride. Pretty cool.note takin like that sure adds flavor to a journal.
Wise Old Owl
06-28-2014, 21:57
Hey I got deep into it - great find, a lot more detail than the book. Short on matches - corn grits and oatmeal - wrong turns and hiking ten miles down and back. Rain so bad it almost puts out the fire. Nice score! Thanks
nitegaunt
06-28-2014, 22:24
I saw your post yesterday and have been transcribing and proof reading. Incredible opportunity to contribute to something of historic value and do a little volunteer work, as well. I am a recent graduate with a degree in history so this is right up my alley. Thanks again to the OP for turning me on to this. I'm now obsessed.
The transcription for page 5 is closed and I think it is wrong. It says [[?]] Morts Alto [[?]] South Mountain Ka. A.T.C 1915 Sunderland Place N. W. Wash. 6 D.C. [[end page]] I think it is reference to Mont Alto State Sanatorium in South Mountain Pa which is near York PA where Earl Shaffer was from. I think the 1915 should be 1916 and I think the Wash 6 is Washington with some of the letters removed. So it should be A[[?]] Mont Alto [Sanatorium] South Mountain Pa. A.T.C 1916 Sunderland Place N. W. Wash[]to[] D.C. [[end page]]
My understanding is the Smithsonian staff do a final review so maybe they'll catch it.
I just completed the final proof read on the day he summited Katahdin.
"In morn climbed Katahdin in leisurely fashion, reached summit of Baxter peak about 1:30. Had pic taken by sign. Talked a while with several fellas come on down to campground. finis"
Shaffers' AT Journal 1948, page 94
If your into transcribing, the National Archives has the "Citizen Archivist" program that does that.
N. W. Wash. 6 D.C.
That could be correct - I've seen addresses similar before - I believe that was how they "subdivided" larger areas before the Zip Codes came into use.
So N. W. Wash. 6 D.C. vs N. W. Wash. 5 D.C., kind of like today it might be Washington, DC 20007 vs Washington, DC 20018
That could be correct - I've seen addresses similar before - I believe that was how they "subdivided" larger areas before the Zip Codes came into use.
So N. W. Wash. 6 D.C. vs N. W. Wash. 5 D.C., kind of like today it might be Washington, DC 20007 vs Washington, DC 20018
Yes, I think I got that wrong. But it is definitely Mont Alto, Pa. Later in the diary, they pick up Anne (whoever she is) who works as a nurse at the sanitarium.
What I find interesting was that he saw so many grouse on the trail. I can't recall seeing grouse. I think they eat ticks. I wonder if they were wiped out by DDT in the 50's and 60's. If so we should try to bring them back.
Gambit McCrae
06-30-2014, 10:34
Don Clean out your inbox and PM me for a reply
Kerosene
07-25-2014, 16:06
The final transcription of Earl Shaffer's 1948 thru-hike journal can be found at: https://transcription.si.edu/pdf_files/6734.pdf
Note that it is 22 MB in size.