A British war veteran who lost both his legs in Afghanistan has become the first above-the-knee double amputee to reach the summit of the highest peaks on every continent in the world.
On Tuesday, 46-year-old Hari Budha Magar summited the highest mountain in Antarctica—Mount Vinson, the final peak in his epic mission—after a grueling three-day climb that saw him battle through 13-below-zero temperatures.
The summit not only marked another mountaineering ‘world’s first’ for the climber but also a major landmark in Hari’s mission to boost disability awareness and ‘inspire others to climb their own mountain—whatever that might be’.
Upon completing the world record, the veteran from Canterbury, Kent, said the climb was very tough. “The conditions and difficulty meant that I was literally crawling on all fours, battling my way up the mountain.”
But crawling along, he was able to “look up and take in the incredible views where spectacular Antarctic mountain peaks pierced a thin layer of cloud below”.
“A disability shouldn’t limit the size of your dream, or your ability to achieve it.
“Yes, you might need to adapt your approach, get help, or think differently, but you can do it!” he told SWNS news agency.
“If a family man like me from Canterbury can do it, why can’t anyone else?”
After having lost both legs fifteen years ago in an IED explosion while serving in the British Army, Hari struggled with his mental and physical recovery, suicidal thoughts and addiction.
But Hari found a new purpose in the world of adventure and sports, starting with a skydive, and skiing—and then he decided to conquer a childhood dream to climb Mount Everest.
According to Google, fewer than 500 people in the world have ever climbed the 7 Summits, the tallest on each continent.
Hari’s Seven Summit journey took only six years, and officially started in 2018 when he first applied to climb the world’s highest mountain—only to be denied by the Nepalese authorities who ban climbers with disabilities, a ruling he was key in challenging, and overturning, in the high court.
Four years later, Hari stood atop Everest—almost 13 years from the day he lost his legs.
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“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, and 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.”
He worked with prosthetic experts at Ottobock to create new legs, feet, and sockets—and, to cope with the harsh Antarctic conditions, he worked with para-jumpers to develop a suit designed specifically for his needs.
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His determination and charity work has been recognized by The Pride of Britain, an annual event celebrating the extraordinary achievements of ordinary people and unsung heroes, and he’s been named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
“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 disabled person, anything is possible!”
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“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.”
Through his ‘Conquering Dreams–7 Summits’ challenge, Hari raises money for disability and veterans’ charities.
In six years, he completed the 7 Summit challenge:
- Europe’s Mount Blanc in August 2019 (4,810m)
- Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro in January 2020 (5,895m)
- Asia’s Mount Everest in May 2023 (8,849m)
- North America’s Denali in June 2024 (6,190m)
- South America’s Aconcagua in February 2025 (6,961m)
- Oceania’s Puncak Jaya in October 2025 (4,884m)
- Antarctica’s Mount Vinson in January 2026 (4,892m)
“His courage, determination, and unwavering commitment to creating positive change reflect everything we stand for as an organization,” said one of the charities, Team Forces, that he is supporting. (Visit the campaign to donate…)
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