05/22/2026
Laura made it to the top of Mount Everest with her BARE HANDS.
At 5:20 AM on May 20, 2026, Laura stood on the highest point on Earth for the third time in her life. This climb was more than a summit, it was a tribute to her late husband Yuri, who first climbed Everest 30 years ago and taught her to dream big.
At 8,848 meters above sea level, Laura honored Yuri by leaving part of his ashes at the summit, in the same place where his Everest story began decades ago.
After a month of acclimatization, freezing winds, exhaustion, and moments of doubt near the South Summit, Laura kept climbing. With support from her sherpa team and pure determination, she pushed through one of the toughest mountains on Earth.
As the first sunlight hit the ridge, Laura reached the summit carrying the Gear Hugger flag, proving what people can achieve with resilience, heart, and their bare hands.
This is what “with your bare hands” means to us.
Built for people who push limits.
Built for adventure.
Built for those who never stop climbing.
Congratulations Laura, from all of us at Gear Hugger.
