Hi! I’m Caroline — and I’m on a mission to be the first DeafBlind person to summit Mount Everest in May 2026!

I have Usher Syndrome, a rare condition that affects both hearing and sight. My vision started to deteriorate when I was 19. It’s a slow process, but I know that my remaining sight is limited — and that makes the timing of this mission even more urgent.

In May 2023, I trekked to Everest Base Camp. That journey changed everything. It sparked a bold question:

What if I didn’t stop at Base Camp?

What if I went all the way?

A Deaf person has summited Everest. A blind person has summited Everest. But no DeafBlind person has ever stood on the highest point on Earth. And if I am ever going to do it, it has to be before I lose the remainder of my sight and hearing.

Who I Am

My name is Dr. Karolina Pakėnaitė — though most people know me as Caroline. I have navigated much of my adult life with the support of my guide dog, Bosley, who has recently retired — marking another transition in a life that is constantly adapting.

The Journey So Far

This Everest mission has been a structured, progressive journey — building from endurance races to technical ice climbing, to 6,000m and 7,000m Himalayan summits. I have tested myself in extreme cold, altitude and exhaustion. I have prepared alongside an experienced team including Dr. Sundeep Dhillon, Dr. Joseph Dituri and Lukas Furtenbach — combining high-altitude medical oversight, performance planning and expedition leadership.

As my vision continues to deteriorate, I know there is a window in which this is physically and logistically possible. I am choosing to step into it — deliberately and fully.

Next: 8,849m Everest – May 2026 (£150,000)

Why the Cost Is Higher

Everest is expensive for anyone. For a DeafBlind climber, it is significantly more. I require:

This means my expedition cost is more than double those of a typical climber.

Immediate Funding Deadlines

To secure my place on the expedition:

These are critical milestones. Without meeting them, the expedition cannot go ahead.

Why Everest?

This climb is not only about reaching a summit. It’s about representation. Deafblindness is often misunderstood — or invisible altogether. Through this expedition, I want to raise awareness of Usher syndrome and show what is possible when the right support, preparation and trust are in place.

(Himlung Himal video: https://youtu.be/tnMeKXJG6xQ)

Everest is a mountain.

But it is also a message.

How You Can Help

Every donation — no matter the size — brings me closer to the summit.

Sharing this page will also make a huge difference.

(Alternatively, to support my charity fundraising efforts for The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and Millimetres 2 Mountains Foundation, visit my givestar page here.)

Thank you for believing in this mission,

Caroline