KATHMANDU, MAY 14

With an aim of amplifying global awareness about the deaf and hard of hearing community, the US-based deaf couple successfully scaled Mt Makalu this morning.

According to Chhang Dawa Sherpa, Expedition Director at Seven Summit Treks, Scott Lehmann and Shayna Unger, both born profoundly deaf, scaled the world's fifth highest mountain at 5:10am.

The couple stood atop the 8,463-metre peak along with Mingma Dorchi and Mingma Tenje Sherpa, the record-holding twins from Makalu, Sankhuwasabha, said Chhang Dawa.

Scott and Shayna also become the first American deaf couple to scale the mountain, he added.

This is the twins' second summit on Makalu as they were also part of the fixing team which opened a route on April 11.

In 2023, the deaf couple scaled Mt Everest on May 22 and also made it to the top of Mt Lhotse the next day. With these feats, Shayna became the first deaf woman to reach this pinnacle, and Scott the first deaf

American to reach the summit of Mt Everest, SST's Director Pasang Phurba Sherpa shared.

'We are committed to create spaces where outdoor spaces are truly accessible and welcoming to all so everyone can connect and explore the wonders of nature,' the couple earlier shared with THT.

The couple had also climbed some of the world's highest mountains, like Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, Denali, Mont Blanc and Matterhorn.