Patchwork's Journey
Closer look into Caleb and Madelyn’s chapters as Patchwork Canteen
Currently: 2024
Patchwork Canteen will be thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail beginning in May of 2024. They will be documenting this trail through writings and 35mm film photography. While it’s impossible to predict the outcome of any such adventure or project, they hope to spend just over four months along the 2,650+ mile path capturing its essence and sharing that with others. After their experience along the Appalachian Trail they were inspired to complete the Triple Crown of hiking and create an inclusive work from the three journeys. According to the ALDHA-West’s records, (as of 2023) 693 people have completed the infamous long-distance trails: Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail.
Long Winter: 2023-2024
Despite being nomadic for over five years, they had never experienced a proper winter season. Drifting from one fair weather place to the next, Caleb and Madelyn decided to move back to Colorado for the entirety of winter. The notoriously present sunshine made even the coldest days feel tolerable and they learned to love the alpine lighting. Being able to spend so much time on the mountain and every free day on the slopes, they documented beautiful and harsh moments of the Rockies. They also built a tight-knit community among the other skiers and boarders. Winter took on a new meaning and became an opportunity to connect deeper. Patchwork was suddenly surrounded by so many others actively chasing similar goals and passions. Specifically, that was true about meeting fellow thru-hikers. Despite being denied a PCT permit in the first round, their friends motivated them to try one last time. The resulting success, of that final round of permit releases, set them up for a vital step towards their Triple Crown goal. Closing this chapter was bittersweet, but they hold appreciation for what it provided.
Late Summer: 2023
Arriving back in the US felt as equally jarring as the culture shock of the UK and Europe. Even four months can alter a perspective drastically. They lived an entirely different and disconnected life from nearly everything that had come before, but they flowed into the following chapter with ease. Buying another van, they made a choice to get back on the road and explore life as seasonal workers in the States. During their era of being delivery drivers in Colorado, they had the flexibility to plan out section hikes of the CDT and other epic trails. Their free time was filled with alpine backpacking trips through wildflower super blooms. Their transition to film photography had slowed their turnaround for sharing the art, but it gave them more time to be present. When the warmth of summer crept too close, they left Colorado in search of cooler temps in the PNW. But, they couldn’t pass through Wyoming without trekking the Teton Crest Trail first. The TCT was an ethereal experience that further stoked their fire for adventure. Making it to Washington, they traded their delivery driver jobs in Seattle to be sea kayak guides on San Juan Island. Just the change of pace between the two places was enough to soothe the stressors of living in a van again. Their new position within the community opened them up to building yet another chosen family. SJI was their naturalist paradise and they took every opportunity to explore its trails and shores. When the kayaking season wrapped up, they headed to their beloved beet harvest jobs and spent a few weeks living in North Dakota. The drastic changes, in locations and occupations, were tedious but necessary to help them understand the inner-workings of being a seasonal worker.
Abroad: 2023
Entering 2023 they moved to the United Kingdom, here their passion for film photography and poetry expanded. The duo spent most of their time reading, hiking, and creating. This season of reflection and newness allowed them space to heal and cherish the invaluable growth that comes from discomfort. They went on to hike the Coast to Coast Walk westbound across England during the rainy, muddy transition from winter to spring. Traveling north into Scotland, they hiked throughout the Isle of Skye. With their time in the eastern hemisphere coming to an end, they planned a trip through Europe. Arriving first in Amsterdam, they were somewhat overwhelmed by the utopian beauty of The Netherlands. Idyllic Dutch architecture watched over the city of limitless cyclists and circling canals. In contrast, Athens’ graffiti walls disguised one of the most endearing cities. In Greece, they searched beyond the picturesque and connected more with people and cuisine. Spain was bustling streets and strolls through fine parks. Despite the history and beauty, the commonality of voracious tourism lingers within the cities. At the base of Bunker’s Hill, they found themselves among a protest fighting the financial apartheid between tourists and the community members. Although uncomfortable, it was another valuable lesson on the necessity of entering new places with the respect and blessing of the locals. After the concrete jungles, they hiked the southwestern coastline of Portugal. The wild, rocky cliffs were reminiscent of their times on Highway 1. The familiar essence of Lisbon wished them farewell, onward. Their anemoia of the old world was finally satisfied, replaced with a raw and sublime nostalgia.
One Foot in Front of the Other: 2022
At the beginning of 2022 with a broken down van and no obvious plans, they found themselves in a precarious position regarding their artistic approach. Their serendipitous choice of watching The Alpinist urged them to honor that same spirit of adventure that Marc-André Leclerc exuded.Though not specifically drawn to rock-climbing, they felt further validated in the pursuit of outdoor exploration. For the following six months, they thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail and thoroughly documented the scenery and culture. It was in the quaint landscapes of the eastern US where they learned to thoughtfully observe their surroundings. Evident in the contrast of their western and eastern works, their time on the AT unearthed a respect for the smaller moments. The tallest mountains and most expansive landscapes no longer held their full attention. Instead, the AT pieces reflect an appreciation for the sometimes mundane but otherwise magical views.
After completing this life-changing trek, they set out to again wander on four wheels but this time in a more compact, minimalistic setup. Heading to one of their favorite mountain ranges out west, they threw themselves into work and spent their spare time exploring new trails. During this exhausting transition back to civilization and city life, they worked tirelessly to put together their documentation. These efforts were blindsided when their vehicle, with nearly all of their earthly possessions, was hijacked. Post-trail life is full of nuances and requires a gentleness that is hard to maintain outside of nature’s venues. Yet, they channeled that same strength that brought them over 2,000 miles on foot and switched directions towards a positive outcome.
On The Road: 2018-2022
In 2018, Patchwork (Caleb and Madelyn) discovered a fascination for nomadic living, niche communities, and the landscapes that tie them together. Photography and writing played the most consistent roles within their storytelling.
Years spent roaming the roads awarded them invaluable insight into a generation of people not connected by age but of a similar mindset and desire for something indescribable. This often meant escaping conventional routines in search of fulfillment. Their growth as artists was fostered first by their dream to chase open roads and new horizons. They recognized this shifting season as a period of finding individuality and some perception of freedom. This era reconnected them with nature and allowed more time for passion projects. Patchwork lived an imperfect approach to respectfully and thoughtfully traveling their homeland. They unknowingly documented through their van’s dying days. The final roadtrip with their beloved rig took them along the West Coast. Their earliest professional work focused on oceansides, waterfalls, and expansive mountain vistas; the most obviously incredible moments they could drive and hike to. With the context of 2018-2021, these works represent and acknowledge the process of two novice artists honing in on their visual and written voice. In complete awe with the natural world, seeking “perfect” moments, and encountering interesting strangers that became friends
The Gist
Patchwork allows room for natural unfoldments and they find inspiration in going with the flow. While its easy to worry about the past or stress about the future, they recognize our fragile present as the only place where we can truly exist and thrive. In a culture that glorifies stability, this duo quietly subjects themselves to the discomfort of new beginnings. Their reward has been an abundance of memories and personal connections.