WORKING AT WOOLPERT

Former CEO Finishes Journey over 2,000 Miles on the Appalachian Trail

“My hike through Maine was tough—but beautiful!” Rex stated. Here, he stands at the northern terminus of the Trail on Mount Kathadin in Maine.

Most people would follow up a busy, successful career with a restful and relaxing retirement. But then again, most people aren’t like the recently retired Rex Cowden.

In May 2010, Woolpert’s former CEO/COO, Rex, known by his trail moniker, Willis, kicked off his retirement (just prior to retirement) with the adventure of a lifetime—hiking the entire Appalachian Trail.

The Trail, approximately 2,180 miles in length from Georgia to Maine, is a challenge only few choose to accept. Tackling the Trail in 10 non-sequential sections during the summers of 2010 through 2014, Rex racked up over 2,000 miles in roughly two-week timeframes, with his longest stretch lasting 27 days and 445 miles.

Why embark on such a daunting journey at a time when many retirees hit the golf course or fishing pond?

“Hiking the Trail just seemed to be the perfect segue between full-time work and retirement,” Rex explained.

The three-fold challenge to body, mind and soul helped him to decompress through elements of physical exertion, adventure and solitude.

Backpacking through the Appalachian wilderness, Rex carried the essentials—from food and water to clothing and first aid supplies. He slept under the stars in public, three-sided shelters, where he found company with a range of other hikers—some of which he still keeps in contact with.

“The most memorable part of the journey, for me, was meeting so many different people, all working towards a similar goal [of finishing the Trail],” Rex said.

Whether fresh out of school and trying to figure out life, or well established and looking for a new challenge, all the hikers were traversing the same miles, experiencing the same conditions and climbing the same mountains.

Though Rex logged most of his miles solo, he did have a few special companions along the way. His brother joined him from time to time, including hiking the final leg of the journey as Rex crossed from Massachusetts to Vermont. Fellow Woolpie Paul Grodecki, legal counsel, hiked with Rex for a couple days in Tennessee.

Not surprisingly, he also had his fair share of wild encounters—with everything from deer and snakes to turkeys, wild boar, moose and, of course, bears! One particular bear in northern Georgia sent the daydreamer running for the hills when it unexpectedly slid down a tree less than 10 feet away.

So what’s next for this Woolpie thrill seeker? Climbing Mt. Everest?

“Ha, not a chance!” Rex laughed.

He would, however, like to hike the Colorado Trail. He even issued this challenge to the Denver office:

“If anyone is brave enough, join me for a leg or two of my 500-mile journey from Denver to Durango next summer!”

To respond to Rex’s Colorado Trail challenge, contact him directly at rcowden503@aol.com. For more information on the Appalachian Trail, please visit www.appalachiantrail.org/about-the-trail.