The power of an icon.

Before I fell in love with the act of story telling through my photography, I was a graphic designer for around 11 years. In that time as a designer, I discovered the art of color theory, composition and balance, and the art of symbolism in iconography. I have always been infatuated with the amount power that a simple icon or symbol can have in the subconscious mind.

So naturally, as I started my hike from the US/Mexico border, one of the first things I noticed were the PCT trail markers that help guide hikers from Mexico to Canada. There is something so simple and so great about the marker, and as I started to ascend to higher elevations out of the desert and into the high sierras the markers became a less frequent sight as you worked your way through the national parks.

As I approached the 1,000 mile mark the absent trail markers began to make their presence known once again, and I was surprised by the amount of joy it brought to me to see them lining the trail. The history and symbolism of the marker is clear as you walk through the wilderness, and see them embedded and covered in tree sap, almost as if they were placed there for an eternity.

I like to imagine that some of the greatest explorers have walked through these woods and felt the same sense of pride and accomplishment as I have felt, as they pushed forward to Canada on this epic 2,663 mile journey and were guided by these same markers. I am happy to share the same reaction and emotional connection to something as simple as an icon, because it means so much more to me now than it ever has. It feels so good to be a part of history in the making. 1,600 miles to go.