Project Aim
The ultimate goal of this epic challenge is to become the world’s first double above-the-knee amputee to conquer Everest and inspire and change perceptions around disability.
Around 12-15% of the world’s population have some kind of disability. That’s nearly 1 billion people worldwide. My message is that whatever is thrown at you, you can live life to the full.
I want to raise awareness of disability and show that having a disability does not have to be limiting. We can be successful and live a happy and meaningful life. We should no longer be seen as being poor, miserable and living off benefits.
But changing this perception will be a bigger battle than climbing Everest.
My Story
Hi, I am Hari Budha Magar, a former British soldier, destined in spring 2023, to become the world’s first double above-the-knee amputee to climb to the summit of Everest, negotiating some of the toughest mountaineering conditions.
I am a 43-year-old father of three from Canterbury. In 2018, I joined forces with other climbers and disability organisations to successfully overturn a ban on double amputees and the visually impaired from climbing Everest, at the Supreme Court in Nepal. Only by working to open up the opportunity for other disabled climbers can I now take on this epic challenge using my specially designed prosthetic climbing legs.
Working as a former Corporal in the British Army’s legendary Gurkha regiment, I lost both of my legs in Afghanistan following an IED explosion in 2010. Not wanting disability to stop me or others conquering dreams, I have been continually working to positively transform the way people with a disability are perceived, and how they perceive themselves. In accomplishing this monumental challenge I hope to inspire other people facing similar circumstances to believe anything is possible with the right mindset.
I will climb the world's tallest mountain via the South Col route from Nepal. The route weaves through the treacherous Khumbu Ice Fall to the Western Cwm, before heading up the imposing wall of ice that is the Lhotse Face. I will then trek across the Yellow Band and the Geneva Spur to the South Col. The South Col is the site of Camp IV, from which I will make my summit attempt. My final push will take me via the Balcony, South Summit and the famous Hillary Step. The round trip to the summit from the South Col can take up to 18 hours for an average able bodied climber.
I have been training for this summit attempt with Krishna Thapa, former Chief Mountain Instructor at SAS and world-renowned climber, and with his help, I recently made history as the first double above-the-knee amputee to trek to the Everest Base Camp. However, reaching the 8,848.86m (29,029ft) summit is the ultimate test. The human body is not designed to operate at that altitude. Add to that my own challenges with reduced mobility and speed, and there is a whole new layer of difficulty to navigate. I’m three times slower than able bodied climbers because my gait is so short. The longer the climb takes, the more chance something could go wrong.
The equipment will be a huge challenge. Everything will have to be adapted to get me onto the mountain. I will need made-to-measure clothing and cutting-edge kit - from specially designed crampons, to the heated sockets around my stumps and the short engineered prosthetic legs I’ll be using for the climb.
Your donation will ensure myself and my team are fully prepared to face some of the most extreme conditions on Earth, make a safe return having reached the top of the world and deliver our goal to inspire and change perceptions with regards to disability.
For more information or to follow my journey visit www.haribudhamagar.com
Summit Supporters Club
No donation is too big or too small. I welcome donations from as little as 1p, to as much as you are able to afford.
For those able to donate £100 or more, please find details of specific reward packages available for your kind sponsorship.
Thank you for your support on this project, without your help, this would not be possible.