A year on from his historic climb, Hari Budha Magar, the Guinness World Records recognised world’s first double above knee amputee to summit Everest, launches his bid to climb the highest peak on each continent.
The multi record breaking climber from Canterbury, wanted to take his message of “no legs, no limits” around the world, inspiring people everywhere that a disability and weakness shouldn’t limit your ability to achieve their dreams.
He aims to take this inspirational message “on tour” by climbing the highest peak in all seven continents.
About his next challenge, Hari said; “Limitations are put on those with a disability all the time. Yet most of the time a disability is not life limiting, it shouldn’t stop us from chasing our dreams. It’s all about adaptation.
“Through my challenges, I wants to raise awareness of disability and positively change the way people with disabilities are perceived and how they perceive themselves.
“Having done this in Nepal and in the UK where I live – I now want to take this lifechanging message around the world.
“The best way to do that is to take my story to them. To climb the seven highest summits on the seven continents.”
Having already climbed three of the peaks (Mt. Blanc (4,810m) in August 2019, Mt. Kilimanjaro (5,895m) in January 2020 and Mt. Everest (8,849m) in May 2023, Hari will next tackle North America’s highest peak Denali (6,190m) starting on June 16th, 2024 with the expedition expected to take three weeks.
To complete the challenge, Hari plans to then climb Puncak Jaya (4,884m) in Oceania, Aconcagua (6,961m) in South America and then finish with Mt. Vinson (4,892m) in Antarctica.
He hopes to complete all seven peaks by early 2026.
Major General Lamont Kirkland (retd), CEO of Team Forces, one of Hari’s principal partners said; “As a champion of removing limits, demonstrating resilience and innovation and showing the effects of a positive mindset, Hari is truly unique and inspiring individual whom we are proud to support and in awe as his sets on this new challenge.”
Originally from Nepal, Hari served for 15 years in the British Army’s Gurkha regiment, before losing both of his legs to the an improvised explosive device (IED) bomb in Afghanistan in 2010.
His recovery was long and hard taking Hari to the brink of mental and physical health.
It was to be a skydive, organised by veterans charity Battle Back, that helped build his confidence and set him on a journey to recovery and inspiration to so many.
On the 19th May 2023, Hari realised his dream of becoming the first double above-knee amputee to stand atop Everest, the world’s highest peak at 8,849m (29,029ft).
His final summit via the Balcony, South Summit and the famous Hillary Step, took Hari’s team over 25 hours (it usually takes 12-16 hours for an average able bodied climber) in gruelling weather conditions.
Hari has also set numerous world records on other mountains including Ben Nevis, Mont Blanc, Kilimanjaro, Mount Toubkal, Chulu Far East and Mera Peak. He has kayaked around the Isle of Wight, completed multiple skydives, paraglided, bungee jumped and competed internationally as a para-skier and golfer; as well as also becoming the first person to reach Everest base camp with prosthetic legs (Genium X3s) in 2022.
Hari comments; “I believes having a disability doesn’t have to be life limiting, it is all about adaptation, nothing is impossible.”
In order to complete these challenges Hari needs to raise additional sponsorship and funding. He has launched an appeal at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/hbm7summits to raise funds to enable his upcoming climb and the positive affects it will generate.
Hari is currently supported by Team Forces, Ottobock, Barratt Developments and Branding Science.
During his climb, Hari will be raising funds for the Gurkha Welfare Trust, On Course Foundation, Pilgrim Bandits, BLESMA and Team Forces Foundation who have been instrumental in helping Veterans in the UK.
To donate to his charitable appeal, visit www.haribudhamagar.com and click through.
