Deaf US couple summits Kanchenjunga, completes five 8,000m peaks
Scott Lehmann and Shayna Unger became the first deaf couple to summit five of the world’s highest mountains after reaching the top of Kanchenjunga on Monday.
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An American couple made mountaineering history Monday by becoming the first deaf pair to summit five of the world’s tallest peaks, after successfully reaching the top of Mount Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest mountain.
Scott Lehmann and Shayna Unger reached the 8,586-meter (28,169-foot) summit early Monday alongside their longtime guides, twin brothers Mingma Dorchi and Mingma Tenji Sherpa, according to Chhang Dawa Sherpa, expedition director at Seven Summit Treks.
The Kanchenjunga climb marks the couple’s fifth ascent of an 8,000-meter peak. The pair has previously summited Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Manaslu, all under the coordination of the Kathmandu-based expedition company. They have also climbed several of the world's other renowned mountains, including Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Aconcagua in Argentina, Denali in Alaska, Mont Blanc in France, and the Matterhorn on the Swiss-Italian border.
Despite being profoundly deaf since birth, Lehmann and Unger have embraced high-altitude climbing with what they describe as “unshakable determination,” according to their website, scottshayna.com. The couple prepared for their expeditions by studying route details through videos and written communication.
“We want to break barriers and create space for other deaf people to thrive outdoors,” they wrote. “We believe nature belongs to everyone.”
The Sherpa brothers who guided the couple have been with them since their first 8,000-meter summit and continue to play a key role in their pursuit of mountaineering milestones.
Kanchenjunga, located on the border between Nepal and India, is known for its technical challenges and extreme conditions. It is considered one of the most difficult peaks to climb among the 14 mountains that rise above 8,000 meters.
