43-year-old Hari Budha Magar has achieved his aim of climbing Everest and becomes the first ever double-above-the-knee amputee to get to the summit. Throughout his climb, Hari has been aiming to change perceptions on disability and inspire people to climb their own ‘mountains’ no matter the adversity that stands in their way.
Hari climbing an ice wall on Everest
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 8849m peak. Hari summitted at around 3pm 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.
Hari in the Khumbu Icefall
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.”
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 on the summit of Mera Peak
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 support Hari’s Everest appeal, visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/harieverestappeal
To make this climb happen, Hari has been supported by over 30 organisations including Team Forces, Barratt Developments, Branding Science Group, Ottobock, Therabody, the Oriental Club and over 600 individuals.
Support for which he is immensely grateful and without which the attempt would not have happened, and the chance to inspire others and change perceptions.
Full details of the major supporters can be found at www.haribudhamagar.com
Follow Hari on Instagram at www.instagram.com/hari_budha_magar/
Header image by: Jeet Bahadur Tamang, Shanta Nepali Productions