Kreg Moccia

Hi! I’m Kreg. In 2018, I thru-hiked the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail southbound from Maine to Georgia. My backpacking career started as an undergrad at Harvard where I led orientation trips for freshmen (woohoo, FOP!). After spending 7 years as a high school teacher and dean in Brooklyn, I decided that it was time to get back on the trail. Now that I'm finished with my hike, we'll see what adventure comes next. :)

Posts

An Ending Worthy of an Epic Journey

An Ending Worthy of an Epic Journey

Friends and family, wine and cheese, single-digit temperatures, a soaking wet finish, and a raucous '80s dance party---it was an epic ending to our

Dec 9, 2018 : Kreg Moccia
A Reflection Before the Final 100 Miles

A Reflection Before the Final 100 Miles

I am 100 miles from Springer Mountain. The end isn't near... it's here. I remember seeing the 2,000-mile markers in Maine for NOBOs (there were

Nov 24, 2018 : Kreg Moccia
My Fear of Hypothermia and the Rain

My Fear of Hypothermia and the Rain

Cold rain scares me more than anything else on the trail. We've had more than our share in the last week. Staying Dry in Heavy Rain It's not

Nov 15, 2018 : Kreg Moccia
A Banana, a Pickle, and a Hot Dog Walk into the Grayson Highlands…

A Banana, a Pickle, and a Hot Dog Walk into the Grayson Highlands…

The Virginia Blues were looming. We spent a night in Bland, VA, to avoid some 40-degree rain, and I wondered if the town's name was an omen of what

Nov 9, 2018 : Kreg Moccia
Central Virginia: Embracing the Cold

Central Virginia: Embracing the Cold

The cold temperatures have been a swift kick in the butt after a summer of near-perfect weather during my thru-hike. These are my strategies for

Nov 2, 2018 : Kreg Moccia
How I Fell in Love with Shenandoah

How I Fell in Love with Shenandoah

Shenandoah National Park was one of my most enjoyable stretches of the Appalachian Trail. Constant views, well-maintained trails, plentiful wildlife,

Oct 15, 2018 : Kreg Moccia
Finding a SOBO Party on the Trail

Finding a SOBO Party on the Trail

After hiking the first half of the trail solo, I enjoyed a more social week on trail after crossing the halfway mark. Of course, my definition of

Oct 10, 2018 : Kreg Moccia
1,100 Miles, and Why It Doesn’t Matter if I Finish

1,100 Miles, and Why It Doesn’t Matter if I Finish

Pinning my happiness on Springer is a recipe for disappointment. I plan to enjoy today first.

Oct 4, 2018 : Kreg Moccia