The Pride of Britain hero double amputee creates history by hoisting a mirror flag.
Former Gurkha and Britain’s Pride hero Hari Buddha Magar tried to take his own life after having both his legs amputated, but is now achieving the ‘impossible’ with his record-breaking feats.
Pride of Britain hero Hari Buddha Magar has made history by becoming the first double amputee to complete the Seven Summits challenge —climb the highest mountain on each of the world’s continents.
The former Gurkha called us after reaching the summit of Mount Vinson in Antarctica on Wednesday, January 7, where – where he planted a mirror flag – he climbed 4892 metres on artificial legs specially designed to cope with snow and ice.
He told The Mirror: “It’s a wonderful feeling. I don’t know how we did it – but seven summits have been completed. As an amputee – with two half-knee amputations – I’ve done the impossible and climbed them all. I feel very emotional.”
After losing his legs in an IED blast in Afghanistan in 2010, Hari experienced extreme despair and attempted suicide.
At 46 years old, Hari has overcome his challenges and embarked on an incredible journey to climb Mount Everest. He has also generously donated £884,900 to five remarkable charities: Gurkha Welfare Trust, Blesma, Pilgrim Bandits, On Course Foundation, and Team Forces. Hari said, “Hopefully, our historic climb and completion of the Seven Summits will send a positive message around the world that anything is possible. I’ve been told ‘no’, ‘you can’t do it’, ‘it’s too dangerous’, and ‘it’s not for you’ many times – as many disabled people do. But look at me now!”
The Seven Summits challenge is known as ‘the world’s most prestigious mountaineering achievement’. These include Mount Everest (8848 m) in Nepal, Asia; Mount Kilimanjaro (5895 m) in Tanzania, Africa; Denali (6194 m) in Alaska, USA; Aconcagua (6962 m) in Argentina, South America; Vinson Massif (4892 m) in Antarctica; Carstensz Pyramid, New Guinea (4884 m); and Mount Elbrus (5642 m) in the Caucasus Mountains, Russia.
Hari has conquered all except the Russian peak, which is currently inaccessible to Westerners. Instead, he climbed Mont Blanc (4808 m) in France and this has been recognised by Guinness World Records. Speaking about the dangerous conditions on Vinson, he said, “Every two minutes, I doubted myself. It was so hard. So painful. I stumbled, which scared me. My legs weren’t working properly sometimes. My fingers were freezing, and my face was freezing and burning. I don’t believe in God, but I was praying that we’d make it and that the high winds wouldn’t force us to turn back – or worse. It was difficult.”
Hari Buddha Magar on the summit of Mount Vinson in Antarctica, where he planted a mirror flag. (image: )
Before reaching the summit, Hari and his team set off from Antarctica’s Union Glacier, where there is 24-hour daylight, to Base Camp and then High Camp – the most technical and dangerous part of the climb, with crevasses and potential avalanches at every turn. “I got terrible blisters. But it was worth it. At the top, it was amazing, such a beautiful view. My glasses were foggy with tears. You could see what felt like all of Antarctica; there was snow as far as the eye could see. It was majestic. Otherworldly. It almost felt like heaven.”
Born in a cowshed in Nepal, at the age of 19, he joined the Gurkhas – having successfully applied to join the British Army, being one of 230 selected from 12,000 applicants. For the next 15 years, he served Britain on five continents, operating in Brunei, Kosovo, the Falklands, and other continents. Father-of-three Hari, who now lives in Canterbury, Kent, moved to the UK from Brunei in 2009 with his wife, Urmila, who lives at home.
But, in 2010, two weeks into his Afghanistan tour, he lost his legs to an IED blast while on foot patrol. He was saved only because of quick-thinking fellow soldiers and a nearby helicopter. I thought of the soldiers who saved me when I thought I couldn’t take another step up Vinson Climb,” he said.
In 2010, two weeks into the Afghanistan tour, Hari Budh Magar lost his legs due to an IED blast while on foot patrol. (Image: Handout)
After a period of tortured drinking and attempting suicide, a day of skydiving gave him the courage to try other sports, including climbing, which changed his life. He has now created history by successfully conquering Everest in 2023. The first person he called after meeting Vinson was his wife. Hari said, “My wife was very happy – she was relieved that I was OK. And I was OK too.”
Hari will soon be flying back to the UK – but he has no plans to rest – as Mirror Books will be publishing his life story later this year. “It’s time to start writing!” Said Hari, who was awarded an MBE for his services to disability awareness in 2024 and also won a Pride of Britain Award – he was heading to 10 Downing Street to meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer along with other winners.
He said, “I want to inspire people to climb their own mountains. I want to give hope and optimism to people around the world. I have dedicated my life to the disabled community. This challenge – the pride – the joy is for them. And for all those who have ever been told ‘no’.”
