Hi, I'm Zoe! I've swapped my engineering career to spend a year on my dream "Pacific Rim" hiking adventure.

My passion is long-distance, self-supported trekking. I've tackled the Annapurna Circuit and hiked above the Arctic Circle, and I believe the best stories are found in wild landscapes and shared with kind people.

My Adventure Plan:

Japan: Daisetsuzan Grand Traverse, Happoro (Sep-Oct) ✅

Australia: Cape to Cape and Bibbulmun Trail ✅

New Zealand: Open to suggestions!

Chile: Torres del Paine O Circuit (Feb 2026)

South America and West USA: Exploring next!

This is my first solo trip of this scale. I'd be grateful for any advice on trails, local gems, or connecting with fellow adventurers. Let's share a story!
you can also find me via IG @zoeinwilds

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I believe the world opens up when you share stories and perspectives with people from different walks of life. For me, Couchsurfing is a doorway to genuine connection.
My goal for this journey is to step outside my comfort zone, broaden my horizons, and discover a world of new possibilities. I want to understand other cultures on a deeper level than a tourist ever could, and I'm excited to meet new friends, share my own stories from China, and learn from yours.
As a guest, I'm self-sufficient, respectful, and tidy. I'm physically strong, not fussy, and always ready to lend a hand. I have a good heart—I once had the surreal experience of pulling a drowning child from a pool, a moment that forever reminded me of our shared responsibility to one another.

Interests

• culture
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• jazz music
• bikepacking
• nature lover

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: My soundtrack often leans towards the smooth, nostalgic vibes of Jazz and Japanese City Pop – perfect for late-night conversations or just watching a city go by.
Movies: I'm deeply moved by quiet, powerful human stories. My all-time favorite film is Hirokazu Kore-eda's "Nobody Knows" (誰も知らない). It touched me so profoundly that I named my beloved cat back home 'Yuri', after the main character.
Books: I'm drawn to books that challenge you to think. George Orwell's "Animal Farm" is a favorite for its powerful allegory about society. I believe the best art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

My most recent host, a beekeeper in Xinjiang, had a broken honey extractor, and I was absolutely thrilled to be able to get it running for them again.
I once had the surreal experience of pulling a drowning boy from a pool.
Just recently at an airport, I spent an hour helping a distressed family of Malaysian tourists book new flights after their original ones failed at check-in. I fronted the payment for their tickets to ensure they could get on their way.

Teach, Learn, Share

Heavy-load Trekking: This is my meditation. I find clarity and strength in carrying everything I need on my back. If you know any great local trails (even small ones!), I'd be thrilled to hear about them.

The Shared Kitchen: I try to learn how to cook one local dish in every new place I visit. It's my way of collecting memories, creating a culinary map of my journey. I'd love to share this with you, perhaps we can exchange stories and flavors in the kitchen.

Authentic Conversations: I'm genuinely interested in people's lives and stories. Hearing about your passions, your work, or even just your typical day is what makes traveling meaningful to me.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Your Personal "Travel Consultant": My real value to you as a fellow traveler might be my hard-won expertise. I can help you with:
Travel Hacking: How to research a new city like a pro, find amazing local food spots that aren't in the guidebooks, and plan your itinerary.
Ultralight Packing: I'm obsessed with packing smart and light. I can show you how to streamline your gear and what you really need (and what to leave behind).
Trail Finding: I can teach you my methods for finding and planning hiking routes, from famous treks to hidden local trails.
Street Smarts: How to stay safe on the road – tips on avoiding scams, theft, and other common travel pitfalls. I've learned a few things the hard way so you don't have to.
Good Conversation: For me, it's the perfect backdrop for sharing fascinating (and sometimes hilarious) stories from my treks in places like Nepal and the Arctic.
A Helping Hand (Still!): And of course, my offer to help fix things still stands! From your backpack zipper to a wobbly chair, my engineer hands are at your service.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Russian Federation, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

China