Hike Your Own Hike: Avery Gibson ’12

After five years immersed in the world of commercial real estate, Avery Gibson has traded conference rooms for the backwoods. Currently, his daily progress is measured not in deals closed but in miles covered as he journeys north along the Appalachian Trail, from Georgia to Maine.

 

Avery has dreamed about doing a thru-hike since high school, but the timing never seemed right until now. “A lot of things in my life aligned, and it felt like a sign that this was my year to hike the AT.” In March, he quit his job, and on April 2, he set off from Springer Mountain to begin his hike, with his parents joining him for the first mile. His goal is to complete the hike in around four to four and a half months.

 

Hiking solo has given Avery a deep appreciation for the unique community that thrives along the Appalachian Trail. “Everyone is so kind, easy to talk to, and offers a new perspective on the world,” he notes.

 

Before hitting the trail, Avery worked with a physical therapist who equipped him with a routine of stretches and exercises designed to keep him limber and injury-free. His dedication to the daily 30-minute morning regimen earned him his trail name: “Stretch.” He wears the name proudly. “I played sports all my life, and this is harder on the body than anything else I’ve ever done.”

 

Stepping away from the corporate grind has also given Avery the space to develop a new set of skills, ones rooted in presence, curiosity, and patience. “I am out here with an open mind. I want to meet as many people as possible, hear their stories, and be present with them in the moment. I am also working on patience. I have nowhere to be except the trail, and I have all day to do my miles—I don’t need to rush.”

 

Once his Appalachian Trail journey comes to an end, Avery will travel to Japan with his girlfriend to celebrate two milestones: his Appalachian Trail journey and her taking the Bar Exam. While he plans to begin job hunting after their trip, the lessons from the trail will likely stay with him, shaping how he moves forward personally and professionally. “On the trail, we say, ‘hike your own hike,’ which means, do it however you want—no judgement and good luck!”