“Anything is possible!” Hari motivates the world after becoming first double above-the-knee amputee to beat Everest

By Jill Dando News

A former soldier who lost both legs in a bomb blast in Afghanistan has become the first double above-the-knee amputee to scale Everest – declaring ‘anything is possible!’.

Hari Budha Magar, 43, who lives in Canterbury, Kent, completed the incredible feat.

It was just under a week before the 70th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay who first conquered the world’s tallest mountain.

He miraculously scaled the 29,000ft peak despite his huge handicap.

He said: “My big goals were 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.”

Budha Magar and his team used a unique set of kit to complete the climb, from custom-made prosthetics with built-in heating to prevent frostbite to interchangeable feet for different terrain and extra-thick gloves because he uses his hands more than other mountaineers.

He told news outlets: “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.

“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.”

Mark Inglis, from New Zealand, was the first double amputee to reach the summit of Everest in 2006, although his legs were amputated below the knee.

Budha Magar served 15 years in the Gurkha regiment before losing both his legs after an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated while he was on patrol in Afghanistan in 2010.

The motto of his expedition to the Himalayas, which began at the end of March, was: “No legs, no limits.”

He wants to bring hope to those who are going through that same shock and fear motivates his climbing.

All disabled people, he says, have “a mountain to climb”.

Budha Magar is raising 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 in metres plus two zeros.