Natalya Zanina

My love of outdoor adventures began in childhood: before I started school, my dad took me on out-and-back hiking and cycling trips in our home region of Altai Krai. Later, I began going on multi-day hikes with friends, and at 16 I joined a hiking club, where I continued backpacking on hiking, mountain, water-based and winter ski trips. At 21, I took up mountaineering at the Voskhozhdenie alpine club in Barnaul. I hold the first sports rank in mountaineering and climb both high-altitude and technical routes up to and including Russian grade 5B. I have summited Lenin Peak four times and have also climbed Khan Tengri. I have earned podium places in mountaineering, rock climbing and skyrunning competitions. I took part in an expedition to Asapurna (Gangapurna West, 7,140 m). I have worked as a guide and travel organizer for seven years.