Originally from West Haven, Connecticut, Leigh Anne Crocco moved to Hawaii in 2005 to attend college. Apart from studying Coastal Geography and Sustainable Tourism at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, she began to explore the trails of the islands. On a hiking and camping trip on Maui in March 2009, Leigh Anne became fully aware of the connection she felt between her and the outdoors. She decided right then to dedicate her life to sharing these feelings and experiences with others. This trip marked a major turning point in her life, as well as the birth of Trails of Freedom.
In September 2009, Leigh Anne took a semester off from school and traveled back home to Connecticut. She enrolled in the Travel Channel Academy in New York City, where she would gain the skills needed to pursue her dreams of becoming an outdoor video journalist.
While on the east coast, Leigh Anne shared her ideas with Jordan Coleman, Justin Coleman and Mary Campbell, therefore completing the core of the group. Together, they would go on to become the owners of Trails of Freedom LLC.
With a strong interest in wilderness health and safety, Leigh Anne received her certification as a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) in May 2011. She has a strong desire to help others, and is hoping to become involved in volunteer Search and Rescue work. Backcountry medical care has become a real passion, and she is looking forward to furthering her knowledge in this field.
Currently, Leigh Anne has made a semi-permanent move back to Hawaii, working with her fellow owners on new endeavors for the company. Her love of both the islands and the mainland has brought her back and forth between the two many times, a routine that will undoubtedly exist for quite a while. International travel is also in the near future, as Leigh Anne hopes to explore new places as Trails of Freedom continues to grow.
Some of Leigh Anne’s Outdoor Gear
Backpacks • Camelbak 2010 Alpine Explorer Hydration Pack, North Face Terra 40
Footwear • L.L. Bean Hiking Boots, Merrell Continuum Hiking Shoes
Knives and Multi-tools • Gerber Folding Knife, Tool Logic SL Pro 2 Folding Knife
Video Camera • Sony Handycam HDR-XR500V
Filters • Sony Circular Polarizer Filter Kit, Sony Neutral Density Filter Kit
Tripod • Dynex NW080 Lightweight Tripod
Camera • Nikon D3100
Post-Processing • Final Cut Express 4.0, Aperture 3.0.2
