Some retirement dreams take shape over decades. For one of our clients, David Scott, his lifelong love of backpacking led to a 100-mile trek through the Alps and an unforgettable journey around Western Europe’s highest mountain: Mont Blanc.
A Career, an Unexpected Turn, and Retirement
A native Atlantan, David graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1980. In true adventurous spirit, he skipped his graduation ceremony and headed straight to Crested Butte, a historic and renowned outdoor destination in Colorado’s Elk Mountains, to spend the season as a ski-bum.
He returned home to discover a challenging job market, luckily finding a role within the Coca-Cola system. Over the next 26 years, he worked across sales, operations, and supply chain. Like many long careers, his time there eventually intersected with corporate restructuring. But after a stint running his own business, he eventually found a way to reconnect with Coca-Cola through one of its equipment suppliers. He officially retired in 2018.
A Lifetime of Adventure Leads to the Alps
His love of backpacking began all the way back in Boy Scouts and never faded. Over four decades, he had managed to climb all 58 of Colorado’s “14ers,” peaks rising above 14,000 feet. With no intention of letting retirement slow him down, he decided to pursue a lifelong goal: hiking the entire Appalachian Trail.
With that milestone behind him, it was time for a new adventure. Having never visited Europe, he set his sights on the legendary Tour du Mont Blanc. He mentioned the idea to his girlfriend, Angela, and she was all-in.
Preparing for a 100-Mile Trek
The trip lasted 15 days and required extensive preparation. They studied guidebooks and itineraries, reviewed gear lists, and compared prices for each stage of the journey. However, the most essential preparation was physical.
Training included regular workouts and weekends spent hiking with full packs. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, a 2,965-acre National Battlefield preserving a Civil War battleground, became a suitable training ground for long climbs and endurance hikes.
Logistical preparation mattered as well—international phone plans, electrical adapters, currency exchange, and even brushing up on French. Italian might have helped, too, as Mont Blanc sits on the border between France and Italy in the Alps. (The exact boundary has been debated at times.)
Challenges (and a Few Funny Moments)
The planning phase helped David and Angela work out most of the significant challenges, but once they arrived in Europe, a few small hiccups arose:
- Misreading a bus schedule and paying $40 for a three-mile taxi ride
- Navigating the labyrinth that is Charles de Gaulle Airport
- Thinking they had missed an airport connection
Not to worry, they figured it all out and made some memories along the way. One such moment occurred as they attempted to cross a small stream. David leapfrogged the rocks, but Angela decided to wade across barefoot. After finally reaching the other side, she realized she’d left her shoes behind.
She crossed again to retrieve them, and David suggested she toss them over. The first shoe landed smack in the middle of the current, quickly floating downstream. Miraculously, David snagged it. The second shoe sailed over David’s head onto a steep bank. Whoops!
Those were the “big challenges.” Though not necessarily funny in the moment, the retelling sure generates some chuckles now. Timing is everything.
Favorite Moments Along the Trail
The highlight of the trip was the sense of adventure each day.
One night, they camped on the remote Swiss-Italian border without another person in sight.
On other days, they arrived in quaint villages and mountain refuges, hungry for meals that did not disappoint. The trail often crosses ski terrain, and whenever possible, they took advantage of gondolas and chairlifts to conserve leg strength.
They did find that two decisions made a big difference:
Direction of Travel:
Most hikers traverse Mont Blanc counter-clockwise, and their decision to go clockwise helped them avoid the largest crowds.
Camping vs. Mountain Huts:
They camped each night, which provided flexibility to adjust mileage and was also more affordable. They also built extra sightseeing days into the trip and particularly loved visiting Chamonix.
The least enjoyable parts of the trip were simply the logistics of long flights and airports. So, on the return, they added some fun with a 12-hour layover in Amsterdam. The airport and city were incredible—so much history, architecture, and culture packed into one visit.
What’s Next
Retirement, for David is about staying active.
Upcoming plans include:
- A spring trip to Vail
- A backpacking trip in the Great Smoky Mountains
- Visits to the Snowbird Lodge in North Carolina
- A stop at Hearst Castle in May
Advice for Future Retirees
David’s advice for anyone approaching retirement is simple:
- Start saving early
- Prioritize your health
- Involve others in your adventures
- And keep your faith at the center
Follow those principles, and David believes retirement can become the beginning of some of life’s most rewarding adventures—whether that means hiking alpine trails, exploring new places, or simply making the most of each day.
Please note, David and Angela have given us permission to share their background, story and photographs. They have not been paid or received any other compensation for making these statements. As a result, they do not receive any material incentives or benefits for providing their story. We do not endorse or have any affiliation with the companies mentioned in this content. Any references to specific companies are for informational purposes only.
