From the Cliff Walk to Katahdin

By student writer Megan Dick ’27

Growing up in Maine, Nathaniel Crocker ’19 often heard tales of the Appalachian Trail. But a winter backpacking trip after his senior year at Salve Regina University inspired his interest in thru-hiking, hiking a long-distance trail continuously.  

Soon after, he knew that he wanted to tackle the Appalachian Trail, the 2,190-mile journey from Georgia to Maine, but just needed to find the right time for such an adventure.

Finding his love for the environment and outdoor adventure

Salve was where Crocker developed his passion for nature. He was a biology major with a chemistry minor, but considered adding an environmental science concentration after enjoying an ecology course. Crocker expressed an interest in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to Dr. Jameson Chace, professor and chair of the Department of Cultural, Environmental and Global Studies, who further encouraged him to pursue the concentration.  

The environmental studies program enhanced Crocker’s understanding of the value of open spaces and hiking. He was able to connect with an amazing community of motivating people. Crocker appreciates Chace’s ongoing support and continues to reach out to him for guidance.

“I have nothing but great memories and learned a lot about myself at Salve,” said Crocker, who was a member of the men’s soccer team and also started an outdoor club while at Salve.

The summer before his senior year, Crocker was a stewardship assistant at the Aquidneck Island Land Trust. His work there made him realize he wanted to go to graduate school and pursue a conservation-based career path.  

Following his graduation in 2019, Crocker spent August through December working as a park guide at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky with the Student Conservation Association. Before COVID-19 hit in 2020, he still worked at Mammoth Cave but instead with the National Park Service.  

During the pandemic, he decided to move to Alaska with his brother and sister-in-law. It was spontaneous, but he knew that he would figure things out.

In Alaska, Crocker worked with the state as a natural resource specialist for the Department of Natural Resources. After spending three years there, he felt ready for graduate school and applied to Colorado State University for its master’s program in conservation leadership. He graduated in Dec. 2024, and left to begin his Appalachian Trail hike a few months later.  

The Appalachian Trail – challenging yourself and making connections

From March 31 to Sept. 4, 2025, Crocker hiked the Appalachian Trail. Spanning thousands of miles, the trail is one of the longest continuous footpaths in the world, a winding journey through 14 states, six national parks, eight national forests and countless moments of self-discovery. Only a small percentage of hikers ever complete the full trek, which takes months of endurance and perseverance.

Though he did some research beforehand, the advice he was given was “you just go and figure it out.”  

The overall experience was amazing. The hardest part was finding the motivation some days to keep going, but the people surrounding him on his journey got him through. No one thought they were going to quit.  

“I became really close with a group of seven. We had a nice little tramily – a trail family – You meet so many people from all different walks of life.”

Although he and his “tramily” were in a set routine, it was still important for them to check in with themselves and their bodies throughout the journey.  

Crocker jokes that his body is still recovering, but hiking the trail was incredibly worthwhile. “It was one of the best experiences of my life,” he said.

Working toward a better world  

The connections Crocker made with his “tramily” restored some of his faith in humanity. There were good people on the trail who were ready to help at any time.  

Crocker believes in the importance of human connection for conservation and life in general and looks forward to carrying the values he learned at Salve on future trails. “Being open and collaborative definitely provides for a harmonious world, as well as being completely transparent and honest and compassionate,” he said.