Hari Budha Magar’s life story is a testament to resilience, purpose, and the unyielding human spirit. Born in Mirul, Rolpa District, Nepal, Magar later served with distinction as a Gurkha soldier in the British Army. In 2010, his life changed when an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan resulted in the loss of both legs above the knee. What could have been a journey defined by limitation instead became one of inspiration and global achievement.
Magar’s mountaineering journey began as part of his personal recovery and advocacy for people with disabilities. In May 2023, he made history by becoming the first double above-knee amputee to summit Mount Everest, a feat that captured global attention and earned him a Guinness World Record and widespread recognition.
But Magar’s ambitions didn’t stop there. With a mission to challenge perceptions about disability and human potential, he undertook the formidable Seven Summits challenge: scaling the highest peaks on each continent.
On 6 January 2026, Hari Budha Magar reached the summit of Mount Vinson in Antarctica, completing the Seven Summits and becoming the first double above-knee amputee in the world to conquer all seven continental high points. This historic achievement marked a pinnacle moment in his personal journey and underscored the possibilities of inclusive adventure and human endurance.
His Seven Summits campaign included:
Mount Everest, Asia (8,848 m)
Aconcagua, South America (6,961 m)
Denali, North America (6,190 m)
Kilimanjaro, Africa (5,895 m)
Mont Blanc, Europe (4,808 m)
Carstensz Pyramid / Puncak Jaya, Oceania (4,884 m)
Mount Vinson, Antarctica (4,892 m)
Each climb presented unique challenges, from extreme cold and high altitudes to technical rock and ice terrain, all undertaken as a double above-knee amputee, further cementing Magar’s place in mountaineering history.
Magar’s legacy extends beyond records. Through his climbs, he raises awareness about disability rights, inclusive access to adventure travel, and the potential for people of all abilities to pursue extraordinary goals. His story underscores that physical limitations do not define personal potential, and it continues to inspire climbers, adventurers, and change-makers across Nepal and around the world.
PC: Hari Budha Magar
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