An employee-run, multi-day backpacking trip has become a hot ticket at McKinsey
Alex Harman organizes hiking retreats for McKinsey colleagues to places such as Kilimanjaro and Patagonia. The latest filled 100 spots in three hours.
In 2025, McKinsey employees from around the globe will embark on an eight-day backpacking trek through the Peaks of the Balkans, marking the firm's 100th anniversary. The annual multi-day hiking retreats, which raise money for charity, aim to help attendees unplug and connect with colleagues. Alex Harman, an AI product manager at McKinsey based in London, co-founded the initiative, Mind Over Mountains, after starting an unofficial hiking retreat in 2023.
The trips, which involve hiking in remote locations like Kilimanjaro and Patagonia, are open to McKinsey employees of all ages, experience levels, and roles. Anyone from the firm's 40,000-person workforce can sign up, though spots are limited and demand has been growing. The Balkans trek, costing about $1,000 per attendee, will take place in September.
Participants describe the treks as an opportunity to disconnect from work, bond with colleagues in person, and temporarily leave behind office dynamics. Coordinating these trips requires significant effort, with Harman and his team vetting guides and vendors, hiring local support, and ensuring a smooth experience for the 100 attendees.
Despite the challenges, organizers emphasize that the trips are worthwhile, both for the personal growth and the ability to foster connections among McKinsey colleagues.
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