A beautiful way to support the trail"

        The Katahdin Art Project is a collaboration between the Earl Shaffer Foundation and Crest Photography Inc.  It combines Earl Shaffer's poetry and Bart Smith's photography to create a moving and lasting tribute to Mt. Katahdin.  All proceeds minus costs of $150 per unit will be donated to the Earl Shaffer Foundation.  It was Earl's decision to direct a portion of his foundation funds to the creation of an Appalachian Trail Museum as well as the trail clubs along the A.T.  The delineation of funds generation by this project will be updated on regularly on this website.  Initially the plan had both Earl and Bart's  signing the 1¼  x 3 inch card which is inserted under the top mat in the lower right hand corner of each unit.  A limited run of 5000 units, each selling at $300.00, was decided upon based on the goal of raising three quarters of a million dollars.  Earl was only able to sign 1200 of the cards before he became too weak to write.  His physical strength declining, Earl left us on May 5th 2002.  Yes, the original Katahdin Art  Project plan has been revised, but our desire is to persevere with the Katahdin Art Project due to our respect of Earl's spirit and legacy. 

 Bart will personally sign and number all 5000 units of the Katahdin Art Project. 

       The poem "Katahdin" came to Earl on upon waking from a dream in the wee hours of the morning of his final ascent up Katahdin.  He wrote it while still in his sleeping bag using light from his head lamp.  

        Bart photographed Mt. Katahdin from the Appalachian Trail along Abol Bridge in the latter half of October, 1998.  The day prior a passing storm yielded thunder, lightening, rainbows, and the year's first snow on Mt. Katahdin.  The dawn broke, sparkling clear with wisps of clouds.

        We believe you will appreciate the scope of this endeavor.  The Katahdin Art Project is a lasting tribute to the mountain that represents the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail and to Earl Shaffer.  If you are excited about the artistry of the Katahdin Art Project, as well as the concept of win, win, win fundraising please tell a friend, so the word can spread.  It is a one of a kind gift which will be treasured through out the years.  Best of all, your purchase will help carry on the spirit of Earl Shaffer's legacy, a man who gave so much to the Appalachian Trail.   

Click below to go to our Katahdin Art Project site