Latest news with #RoyalGurkhaRifles
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Record-breaking mountaineer to visit North East after latest climb
A world-record-breaking mountaineer is set to visit the North East to give a talk after completing another climb against the odds. Hari Budha Magar, who is a double above-knee amputee, reached the summit of Mount Aconcagua in Argentina on Saturday, February 22, at around 3pm, adding to his list of record-breaking achievements. This was the highest peak outside of Asia at 6,960.8 metres. (Image: @ramirasamny @lifehappensoutdoors) He is now aiming to climb the seven highest mountains on all seven continents. Having now successfully reached the top of five, he aims to climb the remaining two in Oceania and Antarctica in 2025 to achieve his goal by the end of this year. If successful, Hari will be the first double above-knee amputee to complete the seven summits, which is a recognised feat only 500 people in history have ever achieved. The former British Gurkha soldier will now be heading back to the UK to give his "No Legs No Limits" talk at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Sunday, April 13, as part of his UK Speakers from the Edge tour. (Image: @ramirasamny @lifehappensoutdoors) Mr Budha Magar said: "No mountain is too small. "Every mountain brings its own challenges, but for me, these are amplified with my disability. "Climbing mountains is a way to make awareness of disability and show the world that despite my disability, anything is possible. "It's about having the right mindset and adapting to the world around us. "It's been a long and hard journey since losing my legs in Afghanistan. "There have been some really dark times. "Yet, with support from family, friends, with the help from some incredible charities and communities, and with a bucket load of grit and determination, I've had the chance to realise a childhood dream and make a real positive impact. "Out of all of my achievements, helping others find their value and a place in this world, that's been more rewarding than anything else." Mr Budha Magar served for 15 years with the Royal Gurkha Rifles in the British Army and in 2010, he lost his legs in Afghanistan after stepping on an improvised explosive device. He said that following this life changing event, he found purpose in climbing and made it his mission to raise awareness of disability globally. He added: "I hope my climb will inspire others to climb their own mountains and conquer their dreams whatever that might be." His mountaineering journey started back in 2018 when he fought the supreme court to allow him to climb Everest. He said: "Everest was a great start, but it isn't enough to show people once. "You need to do it over and over to inspire real change. "This is why I dedicated my life and made a lifetime mission to make awareness of disability. "The seven summits challenge is my chance to do some of that, in every corner of the world." For more information, visit the "Speakers from the Edge" website.
BBC News
25-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Canterbury: Double amputee scales highest summit outside Asia
A Gurkha veteran who lost both legs serving in Afghanistan has set a new record becoming the first double above-knee (DAK) amputee to summit the highest peak outside of Budha Magar, from Canterbury, made history when he reached the summit of Mount Everest in 2023, becoming the first DAK amputee to attempt and complete this has now set another world first after making it to the top of the 6,961m (22,837ft) Mount Aconcagua, in the Andes mountain range in Argentina, on Budha Magar, who is aiming to climb the highest peak in each of the seven continents by the end of the year, said completing this challenge had given him the confidence to finish the final two. Speaking at Plaza de Mulas base camp at Mount Aconcagua, Mr Budha Magar said: "I'm very pleased that we made it."The father-of-three set out with his team from Mendoza, Argentina, on 9 February, completing the challenge in under two weeks. Mr Budha Magar joined the Royal Gurkha Rifles at the age of 19. While serving in Afghanistan he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) and lost both legs in 2010, aged was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King's Birthday Honours for services to disability awareness last year."I'm trying to do my bit to give some hope and optimism to the people with disabilities or people who are feeling low," he said."I'm trying to raise awareness of disability all around the world, because disabled people can do anything." For his Seven Summits challenge he has already climbed Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe, Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, Mount Everest the highest peak in the world, Mount McKinley, the highest mountain peak in North America, and now Mount this year, he will take on Puncak Jaya in Indonesia, and Mount Vinson, Antarctica, to complete his challenge."After summiting the second highest mountain [out of the Seven Summits challenge peaks], I think this will give me more confidence to complete the other two I have left," he said.
The Independent
25-02-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Double-amputee mountaineer climbs tallest mountain in southern hemisphere
A Gurkha veteran who lost both legs serving in Afghanistan has set a new record becoming the first double above-knee amputee to reach the summit of the highest peak outside of Asia. Hari Budha Magar, 45, made history when he reached the summit of Mount Everest, at 8,849 metres, in 2023, becoming the first double above-knee (DAK) amputee to attempt and complete this challenge. He has now set another world first after making it to the top of the 6961 metre Mount Aconcagua, in the Andes mountain range in the Mendoza region of Argentina on Saturday. Mr Budha Magar, who is aiming to climb the highest peak in each of the seven continents by the end of the year, said completing this challenge has given him the confidence to finish the final two. 'I'm very pleased that we made it, as it's the second highest mountain in the world after Mt Everest and the highest in the southern hemisphere,' Mr Budha Magar told the PA news agency from Plaza de Mulas base camp at Mount Aconcagua. The father-of-three, from Canterbury in Kent, set out with his team from Mendoza, Argentina, on February 9, completing the challenge in under two weeks. The journey involved multiple camps, severe winds and challenging rocky terrain. Mr Budha Magar said reaching the summit was the most difficult part as he needed to change legs on the snow and ice during the descent. 'This is the highest mountain I have done without oxygen,' he said. 'When I was on the top, I had lots of headaches until I came down.' Rami Rasamny, the climb leader from Life Happens Outdoors team – who led the expedition, said: 'Hari was an inspiration beyond words. 'There wasn't a person who didn't stop in awe at this incredible human being, humble, good humoured and always smiling all whilst scaling one of the most challenging summits amongst the seven.' Mr Budha Magar joined the Royal Gurkha Rifles at the age of 19. While serving in Afghanistan he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) and lost both legs in 2010, aged 31. He said growing up in Nepal, people with disabilities were seen as a 'burden of the earth' and disability was perceived as a sin from previous lives. When Mr Budha Magar was first injured, he said he was unable to shower or brush his teeth independently and became depressed. He found purpose through sports and climbing and decided to make it his mission to show the world what people with disabilities can do. He was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King's Birthday Honours for services to disability awareness last year. 'I'm trying to do my bit to give some hope and optimism to the people with disabilities or people who are feeling low,' he said. 'I'm trying to raise awareness of disability all around the world, because disabled people can do anything.' Mr Budha Magar successfully campaigned to the Supreme Court in Nepal to overturn a ban on people with disabilities climbing Everest, in 2018, before making mountaineering history himself in 2023. For the Everest challenge, prosthetic legs had to be specifically designed for Mr Budha Magar, because no legs for climbing mountains existed for DAK amputees. For his Seven Summits challenge he has already climbed Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe, Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, Mount Everest the highest peak in the world, Mount McKinley, the highest mountain peak in North America and now Mount Aconcagua, the second highest of the seven summits. Later this year, he will take on Puncak Jaya in Indonesia, and Mount Vinson, Antarctica, to complete his challenge. 'After summiting the second highest mountain, I think this will give me more confidence to complete the other two I have left,' he said. Mr Budha Magar plans to celebrate his most recent achievement with some Argentinian barbecue and Mendoza wine.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Double-amputee mountaineer summits tallest mountain in southern hemisphere
A Gurkha veteran who lost both legs serving in Afghanistan has set a new record becoming the first double above-knee amputee to summit the highest peak outside of Asia. Hari Budha Magar, 45, made history when he reached the summit of Mount Everest, at 8,849 metres, in 2023, becoming the first double above-knee (DAK) amputee to attempt and complete this challenge. He has now set another world first after making it to the top of the 6961 metre Mount Aconcagua, in the Andes mountain range in the Mendoza region of Argentina on Saturday. Mr Budha Magar, who is aiming to climb the highest peak in each of the seven continents by the end of the year, said completing this challenge has given him the confidence to finish the final two. 'I'm very pleased that we made it, as it's the second highest mountain in the world after Mt Everest and the highest in the southern hemisphere,' Mr Budha Magar told the PA news agency from Plaza de Mulas base camp at Mount Aconcagua. The father-of-three, from Canterbury in Kent, set out with his team from Mendoza, Argentina, on February 9, completing the challenge in under two weeks. The journey involved multiple camps, severe winds and challenging rocky terrain. Mr Budha Magar said reaching the summit was the most difficult part as he needed to change legs on the snow and ice during the descent. 'This is the highest mountain I have done without oxygen,' he said. 'When I was on the top, I had lots of headaches until I came down.' Rami Rasamny, the climb leader from Life Happens Outdoors team – who led the expedition, said: 'Hari was an inspiration beyond words. 'There wasn't a person who didn't stop in awe at this incredible human being, humble, good humoured and always smiling all whilst scaling one of the most challenging summits amongst the seven.' Mr Budha Magar joined the Royal Gurkha Rifles at the age of 19. While serving in Afghanistan he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) and lost both legs in 2010, aged 31. He said growing up in Nepal, people with disabilities were seen as a 'burden of the earth' and disability was perceived as a sin from previous lives. When Mr Budha Magar was first injured, he said he was unable to shower or brush his teeth independently and became depressed. He found purpose through sports and climbing and decided to make it his mission to show the world what people with disabilities can do. He was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King's Birthday Honours for services to disability awareness last year. 'I'm trying to do my bit to give some hope and optimism to the people with disabilities or people who are feeling low,' he said. 'I'm trying to raise awareness of disability all around the world, because disabled people can do anything.' Mr Budha Magar successfully campaigned to the Supreme Court in Nepal to overturn a ban on people with disabilities climbing Everest, in 2018, before making mountaineering history himself in 2023. For the Everest challenge, prosthetic legs had to be specifically designed for Mr Budha Magar, because no legs for climbing mountains existed for DAK amputees. For his Seven Summits challenge he has already climbed Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe, Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, Mount Everest the highest peak in the world, Mount McKinley, the highest mountain peak in North America and now Mount Aconcagua, the second highest of the seven summits. Later this year, he will take on Puncak Jaya in Indonesia, and Mount Vinson, Antarctica, to complete his challenge. 'After summiting the second highest mountain, I think this will give me more confidence to complete the other two I have left,' he said. Mr Budha Magar plans to celebrate his most recent achievement with some Argentinian barbecue and Mendoza wine. To learn more about Mr Budha Magar's Seven Summits challenge you can visit his fundraising page at:
