Hari Budha Magar posing for a photograph after arrival in Kathmandu from where he will be leaving for Lukla.

Budha Magar aims to be world's first double above knee amputee to climb the tallest peak

KATHMANDU, APRIL 3

Aiming to become the world's first double above-the-knee amputee to climb Mt Everest, former British Gurkha soldier Hari Budha Magar has arrived in Kathmandu to begin his climbing expedition in the world's tallest mountain.

"By climbing Mt Everest this season, I want to raise awareness about disability and show that having a disability does not have to be limiting," the 43-year-old father of three from Rolpa district told THT.

As a child, Budha Magar dreamt of climbing Mt Dhaulagiri and Mt Sisne that were visible from his home in remote Thawang village of Rolpa. He had lost both his legs while fighting for the UK alongside Prince Harry in April 2010. The accident placed him in a challenged state for nearly two years after which he slowly garnered courage.

"Nothing is impossible if you wish it. Persons with disabilities can be successful and live a happy and meaningful life to the fullest," he said, adding that he also wanted to be a role model and inspire people, not only the physically injured, but also to show the world the courage and determination that physically impaired people have.

Budha Magar has already reached high altitude locations and ascended mountains such as Surya Kunda in Nepal, Ben Nevis in Scotland, Mt Blanc in France, Thorong La Pass, and Mera Peak with grade bionic legs attached to his thighs.

"Last year, I made history as the first double above-the-knee amputee to trek to the Everest Base Camp," he recounted, adding that he also became the first double amputee to complete tandem skydives in the Everest region.

According to Budha Magar, he has also participated in more than 15 national and international adventure games and events such as alpine skiing, indoor and outdoor rock climbing, kayaking, and cycling all around the world.

"This season, we will have at least eight Sherpa mountain guides and we will set up at least six camps starting from the Everest Base Camp," Budha Magar said as he prepared to leave for Lukla to begin acclimatization activities in the Khumbu region from Wednesday.

From the top of the world, Budha Magar wants to give the message that disability shouldn't be seen as sin from a previous life and also that people with disabilities shouldn't be viewed as 'burden of the earth.' "My climb is not only for a personal world record, it is mainly to change perceptions about disability," he quipped.

"Under the 'Conquering Dreams' Expedition, he will climb Everest using short-engineered prosthetic legs," team leader Krishna Thapa, former chief mountain instructor at UK's Special Air Service, informed. "In addition, his climb will also be an inspiration to all war veterans."

The team will acclimatize on Mera Peak for two weeks, he added.

Budha Magar's plan to scale Mt Everest in 2018 was postponed after the government introduced a mountaineering rule banning blind, double-amputee, and solo climbers from attempting to climb peaks including Mt Everest in 2017.

Budha Magar also led a campaign to revoke the ban.

"It was vacated by a Supreme Court order in 2018."