THE KNIFE'S EDGE
Appalachian Trail
2020
fiber, needle-felted wool
18x14 inches (20x16 inches framed)
$445
The Knife’s Edge is a scene from the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, which I thru-hiked in 2012. After summiting Mount Katahdin and, thus, reaching the end of my six-month backpacking journey, I was taking a chilly, thoughtful break on the snowy summit when the sky started to clear. Through the mist, the infamous Knife’s Edge came into view, every bit as magnificent and dramatic as its reputation suggested. I longed to hike it but knew better than to attempt it in that weather. As I crossed a big goal off my bucket list, I found myself adding another one, a sort of pledge to myself that I’d see that beautiful mountain another day.
In this piece, the foreground is dominated by a massive, snow-covered, stone cairn and the rocky summit. Beyond the cairn, the jagged profile of the Knife’s Edge spans the width of the felting. Mist partially obscures the view of the horizon as the clouds part to reveal blue sky.
