Double amputee first to climb highest peaks on every continent

By Lauren Beavis

A British war veteran who lost both his legs in Afghanistan has become the first double above-knee amputee to summit the highest peaks on every continent in the world.

World record breaking mountaineer Hari Budha Magar, MBE, 46, has just summited the highest mountain on Antarctica - the final peak of his epic mission.

The Pride of Britain winner reached the top of Mount Vinson (4,892m) at 10pm on Tuesday (6 January) - after a grueling three-day climb that saw him battle through -25 degree-Celsius temperatures.

The summit not only marked another world first in mountaineering for the British climber but is also a major landmark in Hari's mission to create awareness of disability and "inspire others to climb their own mountain - whatever that might be."

Upon finishing the world record, Hari, from Canterbury, Kent, said: "The climb was very tough, the conditions and difficulty meant that I was literally crawling up on all fours, battling my way up the mountain.

“As we took our time climbing along rocky, summit ridge, much of which I had to crawl along, I was able to look up and take in the incredible views where spectacular Antarctic mountain peaks pierced a thin layer of cloud below.

“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!

“A disability shouldn’t limit the size of your dream, or your ability to achieve it.

"If a family man like me from Canterbury can do it - why can’t anyone else."

Having lost both his legs in 2010 to an IED in Afghanistan whilst serving with the British Army’s Ghurkha regiment, Hari struggled with his mental and physical recovery.

Despite his rehabilitation being an extremely tough journey that resulted in suicidal thoughts and addiction - Hari found a new purpose in the world of adventure and sport.

He started with a skydive, then golf and skiing, and then Hari decided he wanted to take on a childhood dream to climb Mount Everest.

Hari’s Seven summit journey officially stared in 2018 when he first applied to climb the world’s highest mountain, only to be denied by the Nepali authorities who banned climbers with a disability - a ruling he was key in challenging, and overturning, in the high court.

Four years later, and almost 13 years from the day he lost his legs, Hari stood on top of Everest.

Hari said: “I’m just a normal guy who had a boyhood dream to climb Mt Everest.

"Losing my legs was devastating.

"Harder than you can ever imagine.

"Yet through the dark, disappointment, and loss of self-worth in the world, I was given support and love to find a way through.

“That IED should have killed me, but now I had a second chance and wanted to do something positive - be an inspiration to others.

“So, I trained and trained and trained.

"I found amazing people who believed in me.

"They even helped design new prosthetics to allow me to physically take on the challenge.

"All barriers we had to overcome."

Having summited Everest, Hari went on take his 'message of resilience' around the world - where he has once again broken new boundaries in mountaineering as the first double above-knee amputee to complete the seven summits - a recognised feat only 500 people in history have ever achieved.

The climb was so extreme in the build-up Hari had to work in collaboration with prosthetic experts at Ottobock to create new legs, feet and sockets and worked with Parajumpers to develop a summit suit designed specifically for his needs and to cope with the harsh Antarctic conditions.

Hari added: “All of the 7 summits presented different and hugely challenge problems like the cold and snow conditions of Antarctic, but when people come together and help and you adapt processes and equipment for the needs of a disabled person anything is possible!

“If I had the opportunity to bring my legs back today, I would actually decline because my mission in life is now to help, inspire and empower others because there is a lot of work that needs to be done around disability, so I have dedicated the rest of my life to make awareness."

Hari is raising money for veterans’ charities including The Ghurkha Welfare Trust, Blesma, Team Forces, On Course Foundation, and Pilgrim Bandits through his ‘Conquering Dreams - 7 Summits’ challenge.

Hari now hopes people will get behind his GiveWheel appeal to raise funds for vital veterans and disability charities.

To date, Hari has successfully summited: Mount Blanc (4,810m) in August 2019, Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m) in January 2020, Mount Everest (8,849m) in May 2023, Denali, North America (6,190m) in June 2024, Aconcagua, South America (6,961m) in February 2025, Puncak Jaya, Oceania (4,884m) in October 2025 and Mount Vinson, Antarctica (4,892m) in January 2026.

Fellow veteran, Maj Gen. Lamont Kirkland, CEO Team Forces added: "Hari truly embodies the spirit of Team Forces: selfless, resolute, and driven to push boundaries in pursuit of something far greater than personal achievement.

"Team Forces has been proud to stand alongside Hari from the very start of this extraordinary journey - one that many believed to be almost impossible for a double above-the-knee amputee to undertake, let alone complete.

"His courage, determination, and unwavering commitment to creating positive change reflect everything we stand for as an organization.

"United by a shared mission to improve the lived experience of the UK’s Armed Forces community by making sport, challenge, and adventure more accessible, we wish Hari every success on the final major climb of his Seven Summits challenge, as he continues to inspire others and raise vital funds for veteran and disability charities.”