Thirteen years after losing both legs , a Nepalese veteran creates history
A Nepali veteran who served in British operations in Afghanistan has achieved a historic feat by becoming the first double above-the-knee amputee to reach the summit of the world’s tallest mountain.
Hari Budha Magar, residing in Canterbury, accomplished this remarkable ascent. His journey began on April 17th, precisely 13 years after he lost his legs in an IED explosion.
Hari belongs to the renowned Gurkhas, known for their legendary bravery and exceptionalism in the history of warfare. The term “Ghurka” historically refers to a Nepali warrior and, in modern legal terms, denotes a Nepali foreign fighter not classified as a mercenary under the Geneva Convention.
Given the illustrious legacy of the Ghurkas, Hari’s achievement may seem expected. However, 13 years ago, he battled alcoholism and depression, feeling far from the hero he would become.
Despite attempting suicide multiple times, Hari eventually chose a different path—deciding to climb Everest. Before tackling the formidable Mount Everest, he had to conquer a legal summit in his native Nepal. His journey reflects a powerful transformation from despair to triumph.
he Nepali government had imposed a ban on disabled individuals attempting the mountain, citing the annual casualties on the perilous journey as justification for such restrictions. Authorities deemed it unnecessary to further jeopardize lives. However, Hari successfully navigated through this obstacle to ready himself for the actual quest.
Having accomplished the mission, Budha Magar expresses his desire to revisit the location in Afghanistan where he lost his legs. His intention is to convey gratitude because, without the experience of losing his legs, he believes he would never have undertaken the challenge of climbing Everest.
