43-year-old Hari Budha Magar has stood victorious atop the world’s tallest mountain as the first ever double above the knee amputee to scale Everest.
Through his climb, Hari aims to change perceptions about disability and inspire people to climb their own ‘mountains’ no matter the adversity that stands in their way.
Having grown up in the Nepalese mountains before serving 15 years as a Corporal with the Ghurkha Regiment of the British Army, scaling Everest was a boyhood dream for Hari.
Devastatingly an IED in Afghanistan took both his legs in 2010 – an event he thought would shatter his lifelong dream.
Thirteen years later, having overturned a law banning disabled climbers from the mountain, Hari has achieved what many thought impossible, proving disability is no barrier to reaching the 8,849 metre peak.
Hari summitted at around 3:00 pm on May 19th.
Hari’s climb was made possible by a world-class team of Nepalese climbers, led by Expedition Leader Krish Thapa, of HST Adventures, who served at the SAS’s Mountain Troop Leader during a 24-year British Forces career that started like Hari as a Gurkha before 18 years in the SAS.
At the top, Hari shouted “We did it!”, a reference to, and in recognition of, the team effort that it possible.
Over a satellite phone call, made possible by NSSL Global, to his team, he added; “That was tough. Harder than I could have ever imagined. We just had to carry on and push for the top, no matter how much it hurt or how long it took.
“If I can climb to the top of the world then anyone, regardless of their disability, can achieve their dream.
“When things got really tough it was the thought of my amazing family and everyone who’s helped me get onto the mountain that pushed me to the top. Without the support of so many this expedition simply wouldn’t have been possible.”
BREAKING NEWS – Hari Budha Magar creates history as he successfully conquers Everest
At around 3pm on May 19th, Hari stood victorious atop the world’s tallest mountain as the first ever double above-knee amputee to scale Mt Everest.Thirteen years after losing his legs in… pic.twitter.com/a24j5ZYkvo
— Hari Budha Magar (@Hari_BudhaMagar) May 20, 2023
With half of the team back at Basecamp, and others climbing down from camp two – the climb team will be resting before Hari departs back for the UK later this week.
Hari and his climb team summitted Everest 70 years after Edmund Hillary and sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first people to stand atop the world’s highest peak in May 1953.
“I first planned this expedition back in 2018, but it feels a little more special to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Everest’s first summit, with another world first,” says Hari.
“My big goals where simply to change perceptions on disability and to inspire other people to climb their own mountains. No matter how big your dreams, no matter how challenging your disability, with the right mindset anything is possible.”
Hari is urging supporters from around the world to dig deep as he raises money for five veteran charities including Team Forces, the Gurkha Welfare Trust, Pilgrim Bandits, Blesma, and On Course Foundation, with the aim of raising over £884,900, the height of Everest plus two zeros.
To make this climb happen, over 30 organisations including Team Forces, Barratt Developments, Branding Science Group, Ottobock, Therabody, the Oriental Club and over 600 individuals have been supporting Hari.
Magar is fundraising for five charities with the aim to raise 884,900 pounds ($1.65 million), as a nod to the height of Everest.
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