*****UPDATE*****
We are pleased to announce that Hari made it to the summit on 19th May 2023.
See our Instagram announcement >> here.
Hari Budha Magar, a double above-the-knee amputee, has climbed to a height of 6,476m on his way to Everest base camp. He reached the summit of Mera Peak after ten days of acclimatization, altitude training, and final kit tests with his mountain guide Krish Thapa on 16th April 2023.
“It’s surreal to finally be here, after so much hard work and training.
Just a few years ago, someone with a disability like me wouldn’t have been allowed to attempt Everest, but here we are about to take on the world’s tallest mountain.”
Hari is set to climb the world’s tallest mountain in the first week of May, depending on the weather. He lost both of his legs in 2010 after stepping on an IED in Afghanistan. In 2018, Hari helped Nepal officials overturn the ban on people with disabilities climbing Everest.
Through the expedition, Hari aims to raise awareness of disability and change perceptions on what is possible showing that with the right mindset everyone, irrespective of their disability, can climb their “own mountain”.
“I would like to give courage to others to climb their own mountain whatever that might be and follow their dreams,” said Hari.
“We can achieve anything if we have a positive attitude and right mindset and adapt our life according to a particular time and situation.”
Reaching the 8,848.86m (29,029ft) Everest summit will be the ultimate test. The human body is not designed to operate at that altitude. Add to that his own challenges with reduced mobility and speed, and there is a whole new layer of difficulty to navigate. Hari is three times slower than able-bodied climbers because his gait is so short. The longer the climb takes, the more chance something could go wrong.
“We just completed our final training climb on Mera Peak, which was amazing. Our equipment is ready – and so are we. I’m feeling nervous of course, but confident and so excited. It’s all been leading up to this moment.”
After raising enough money to fund this epic challenge, Hari has now switched his fundraising focus to raise vital funds for five key charities that helped him on his road to recovery, since losing his legs. These amazing organisations have given Hari the confidence to create history and become the world’s first double above-knee amputee to climb Everest.
Please see here for the link to Hari’s new Crowdfunder campaign: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/harieverestappeal.
He will be attempting to fundraise 100 times the height of Mt. Everest (£884,900), for The Gurkha Welfare Trust, On Course Foundation, Blesma, Pilgrim Bandits and Team Forces; all money raised will be split equally.
For more on Hari’s adventure, visit www.haribudhamagar.com or to support Hari’s Everest Appeal expedition, visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/harieverestappeal
