Laura Zbinden

• Laura has completed multiple thru-hikes worldwide, including the Annapurna basecamp trek in Nepal, Tiger Leaping Gorge in China, and the Mount Chenrezig Tibetan pilgrimage circuit trek in Sichuan.
• She loves spending time outside and appreciating nature, whether on a kayak or while walking, camping, or sitting by the bonfire with a nice cup of hot coffee.
• Laura's life goals include trekking to the base camps of all 14 eight-thousanders and visiting every national park in the United States.

Experience

Laura has always enjoyed hiking, and her passion for the outdoors first started in the state parks of Northern Illinois. However, it wasn't until she left her comfort zone and moved to China that her true love of backpacking and thru-hiking fully developed. She finds nature breathtaking and awe-inspiring and believes nothing clears her mind and makes her feel whole, like being in the mountains. Laura also enjoys stargazing and traveling to dark-sky locations to enjoy the view of the constellations and planets above.

Education

Laura has a bachelor's degree in international business and management from Drake University. She also speaks conversational Mandarin Chinese and beginner Hindi.