Veteran Hari Budha Magar (19), who lost his lower legs during a mission in Afghanistan, has managed to climb Mount Everest. He is the first person in history to climb the highest mountain in the world with two amputated legs.
Magar reached the top of Mount Everest last Wednesday, exactly thirteen years after he lost both his lower legs in an explosion in Afghanistan. His plan to climb Mount Everest started five years ago, but at that time it was not possible to realize his dream. The blind and amputees were banned in an effort to reduce climber accidents.
Still, Magar persevered. He started a campaign to make the ban disappear. The past few years have not been easy for the veteran. He became depressed and became addicted to alcohol. Climbing offered him a way out and, in his own words, gave meaning to his life again. Magar was told that he could still start his special trek on Mount Everest.
Conditions were extra challenging for Magar. He and the team had to wait eighteen days at Everest base camp. The bad weather made it too dangerous to go to the top. When Magar and the Sherpas were allowed to continue climbing, they encountered freezing conditions and witnessed two lifeless bodies being dragged down.
Hellish trip
“My coats were all freezing cold. It was all frozen. Even our water, which we had put like hot water in a thermos, was frozen and we couldn’t drink it,” says Magar. “When I came down, we ran out of oxygen,” he continues. “The guys came with oxygen. We got about 30 to 40 minutes of oxygen, while it took us about two to three hours to get down.”
Finally, Magar reached base camp safely. He is very proud of the achievement he has achieved.
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