KATHMANDU, MAY 19
American couple Scott Lehmann and Shayna Unger successfully scaled the world's third-highest mountain this morning, becoming the first deaf couple to complete five peaks above 8,000m.
"This morning (May 19), Scott and Shayna reached the summit of Mt Kanchenjunga along with their guides, Mingma Dorchi and Mingma Tenji, who are twin brothers," Chhang Dawa Sherpa, Expedition Director at Seven Summit Treks, said.
With this successful summit, Scott and Shayna have now completed five 8,000-meter peaks with Seven Summit Treks, including Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Manaslu. They have also summited Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, Denali, Mont Blanc, and the Matterhorn, according to Sherpa.
Mingma Dorchi and Mingma Tenji, the twin brothers, have been supporting them on their climbing journey since their first 8,000-meter peak.
Despite being profoundly deaf, Scott and Shayna have embraced the world of outdoor adventure with remarkable determination. They learned primarily by watching videos on YouTube and writing things down, demonstrating how they can overcome the challenges of being deaf.
Their strong desire to help more deaf people enjoy the outdoors reflects their love for nature and their belief in inclusion for everyone.
