Team Deaf Peakers is a group of Deaf outdoor enthusiasts united by our passion for nature, adventure, and community. We experience the world visually, taking in the beauty of mountains, forests, and trails through our eyes and expressing our awe and excitement through American Sign Language (ASL). Whether hiking to a summit, exploring a forest path, or simply soaking in the stillness of the wild, we connect deeply with the outdoors and each other. Our team celebrates the strength, resilience, and joy of moving through the mountains on our own terms—where hands sign, eyes lead, and Mother Nature guides us. ASL Signers are also welcome! 

Team Captain/Athlete Bio: Shana Gibbs is an avid outdoorswoman who enjoys the outdoors year-round. Deaf since birth, she has been continuously exploring the outdoors, ranging from downhill, alpine, and nordic skiing, scuba diving, sailing, hiking, backpacking & camping, kayaking, rock climbing, ice climbing, and many more.  Shana also hiked and backpacked through several national parks from the East Coast to the West Coast. Currently, she is a self-employed contractor and is the first-ever Black Deaf woman to acquire a certified Alpine Level I Ski Instructor and also an Avalanche Rec 1 certification. She is also the first-ever Black Deaf woman to do a winter ascent of Mt. Washington in February 2025 and 2026. Last year, she was the team captain for the first-ever Deaf team to do a sunrise ascent on Mt. Washington for this same event. Now, she looks forward to a repeat and expanding the team with Deaf and ASL users!  She would like to personally dedicate the climb and viewing of the sunrise to every Black and Brown Deaf girl and woman out there yearning to step into the outdoors.