Innovation & Tech Today – May 2019

32 INNOVATION & TECH TODAY | SUMMER 2019

PRESENTED BY

you can describe it is to other hikers, because

they feel it too.

It kind of feels like the first time you see the

southern terminus, which represents the

beginning of your journey. That feeling is like

what you feel finishing a thru-hike. It’s this

weird, fuzzy feeling around your heart and it

almost feels sore.

But, not in a painful way. It’s so hard to

describe... But, if you look at the five sections in

my work, Washington is my favorite because I

was so emotional and I could see that in my

work.

Now, looking back, my work from Washington

was dark and eerie, but also vibrant and

beautiful. I feel like Washington was my most

beautiful work from the entire trail because I felt

like that’s when my heart was really exposed.

I&T Today: Did thru-hiking make you

reconsider your relationship with

technology? You mentioned that you try to

be mindful and keep your phone on airplane

mode – call your mom, post some photos,

but not be too involved with it. Was that a

goal on your hike?

TC: Maybe that’s a bad question for me,

because most people know me because of my

Instagram. And I love posting my work. I have

over 10,000 people following me because of

Hiker Trash Vogue. For me, it wasn’t like, “Oh

cool, I have all these followers.” It was like,

“Wow, this is awesome! I finally get to share my

work with people from around the world.”

Which is what I’ve wanted since I was a kid.

Especially since I put so much time over the

last 20 years, so much effort, so much money, in

crafting this thing that is very unique to me. It

feels really great to share it with the world.

I get guilty sometimes for using my phone too

much and being on Instagram a lot. But it also

comes from a very authentic place. I’m just

happy to share my work, and this is kind of how

we share things now, through Instagram.

I&T Today: So, in a way, it made you more

appreciative of technology?

TC: Oh, absolutely. I think, without

Instagram, I wouldn’t be able to share my work

on such a large scale. I wouldn’t have the

opportunities I’m experiencing. I probably

wouldn’t be having this conversation right now.

I&T Today: What advice would you offer

other hikers who want to practice their art

while they’re on the trail?

TC: I say, whatever you feel you can bring to

the trail, do it. Don’t worry about if it weighs too

much and don’t worry about if people are going

to see it or not. That’s not the point. I mean, I

would’ve done Hiker Trash Vogue whether

people saw it or not. I just somehow got lucky

and maybe used the right hashtags or

something. I don’t know.

I think coming to the trail and doing

something artistic changes your life because the

trail changes your life even if you’re not making

an art project. The biggest advice is: don’t think

about it, just do it. And you will find the

inspiration through the people, through the

trail, and through the hardships that you go

through. Q

High-Fashion Hiking