Hari Budha Magar has achieved his dream of conquering the highest summits on each continent, making him the first double amputee ever to do so.
Written by Sheree Strange, TravelWithoutLimits, February 18, 2026
Mountaineer Hari Budha Maga spent years preparing for a gruelling three-day climb in Antarctica – and it was worth every second.
Just three years ago, Hari became the first-ever double above-knee amputee to summit Mount Everest. Having now summited Mt Vinson (the highest mountain on the world’s southernmost continent), Hari is the first double above-knee amputee to conquer the highest peaks of all seven continents, and one of only 500 people in history to do so.
With the support of his team (Abiral Rai, Mingma Sherpa and climb leader Jangbu Sherpa from Alpine Ascents), Hari battled extreme cold, vicious winds, and treacherous slopes to reach the top of the 4,892m mountain.
“The climb was very tough,” Hari says. “The conditions and difficulty meant that I was literally crawling on all fours, battling my way up the mountain.”
The climb came after years of hard work and collaboration with prosthetic experts at Ottobock to create new legs, feet and sockets. Hari even worked with Parajumpers to develop a summit suit adapted for his needs that could cope with the harsh Antarctic conditions. Still, it was all worth it.
“I was able to look up and take in the incredible views, where spectacular Antarctic mountain peaks pierced a thin layer of cloud below.”
Making the summit is not only another world first for the British mountaineer, but a landmark achievement in his mission to “inspire others to climb their own mountain” and redefine what we believe is possible for people with disabilities.
Hari Budha Magar’s story
Hari lost both his legs in 2010 when he injured by an IED in Afghanistan while serving with the British Army’s Ghurkha regiment. His recovery was tough, physically and mentally, and he experienced addiction and suicidal thoughts.
He found support from his family and veteran charities, and new purpose in adventure sports. He started with skydiving, then took up golf and skiing, before setting his sights on his childhood dream of climbing Mount Everest.
Aside from the physical preparation required to climb the world’s highest mountain, Hari had to contend with bureaucratic obstacles. When he first applied to climb in 2018, his request was denied by the Nepali authorities, who had a blanket ban for climbers with disabilities.
Hari spearheaded a challenge to this rule, taking it all the way to the High Court, where it was overturned.
“I’m just a normal guy who had a boyhood dream to climb Mount Everest,” he says. “Losing my legs was devastating. Yet through the dark, disappointment, and loss of self-worth, I was given the support and love to find a way through.”
“That IED should have killed me, but now I have a second chance and I want to do something positive – be an inspiration to others.”
How Hari Budha Magar makes a difference through mountaineering
Through his climbing feats, Hari demonstrates that with the right support, anyone can transcend the boundaries and write new stories for themselves.
“A disability shouldn’t limit the size of your dream, or your ability to achieve it,” he says. “If a family man like me from Canterbury can do it – why can’t anyone else?”
“My message to the world is to everyone, whether living with a disability or able bodied. Anything is possible with enough determination. Yes, you might need to adapt your approach, get help, or think differently, but you can do it!”
“If I had the opportunity to bring my legs back today, I would actually decline. My mission in life is now to help, inspire, and empower others, because there is a lot of work that needs to be done. I have dedicated the rest of my life to [raising] awareness.”
Hari hopes that the publicity gained through his world first mountaineering achievement will encourage people to donate to his GiveWheel appeal, raising funds for veterans’ and disability charities including The Ghurkha Welfare Trust, Blesma, Team Forces, On Course Foundation, and Pilgrim Bandits. Find out more about Hari’s appeal here.