In 2001, the Ershlers attempted their seventh and highest summit, Mount Everest in Asia. After 63 days on the mountain, within of the summit, they turned around and descended. They returned for a second attempt one year later. On May 16, 2002, at 10:20 a.m. the Ershlers reached the summit of Mount Everest and became the first couple to have climbed the Seven Summits together.