Former British Gurkha and double above-knee amputee Hari Budha Magar has etched his name into global mountaineering history by successfully summiting Mount Vinson in Antarctica, completing his long-cherished Seven Summits challenge. According to Hari Budha Magar, he reached the 4,892-metre peak at 10:00 pm on January 6, 2026, after a gruelling three-day climb through one of the planet’s harshest environments.
The ascent marked the final chapter of his inspirational “Conquering Dreams – 7 Summits” mission, an extraordinary journey that proves determination can overcome even the greatest physical and environmental barriers.
Battling Extreme Antarctic Conditions
Magar was accompanied by Abiral Rai, Mingma Sherpa, and expedition leader Jangbu Sherpa of Alpine Ascents. The team endured temperatures dropping to minus 25°C, powerful Antarctic winds, steep slopes, and unforgiving icy terrain. The expedition tested not only human endurance but also the limits of prosthetic technology.
After leaving his home in the United Kingdom on Christmas Eve, Hari Budha Magar travelled to one of the world’s most remote and inaccessible regions, following years of careful preparation. His final Seven Summits climb was supported by DIGI2AL, enabling him to complete the ultimate leg of his dream.
“Nothing Is Impossible”
Following his successful ascent, Magar described the achievement as being about far more than reaching the summit. “If you have a dream and dedicate yourself and never give up, you can achieve anything, whatever life throws at you,” he wrote, thanking his team, family, supporters, partners, and charities. “This is about raising awareness of disability and inspiring others to climb their own mountains and conquer their dreams,” he added.
With the Vinson ascent, Magar has become the first double above-knee amputee in the world to complete the Seven Summits, a mountaineering achievement accomplished by fewer than 500 climbers globally.
From Battlefield to the World’s Highest Peaks
Born in Rolpa, Nepal, Magar lost both legs in an IED blast in Afghanistan in 2010 while serving with the British Army. He has since dedicated his life to challenging perceptions of disability through high-altitude mountaineering.
After summiting Mount Everest in 2023, he became the first double above-knee amputee to stand atop the world’s highest peak. Since then, his climbs have carried a powerful message of inclusion, resilience, and adaptive innovation.
“Changing perceptions of disability will not happen overnight,” Magar has said. “But with support, adaptation, and perseverance, people with disabilities can accomplish the impossible.”
The Journey Across Seven Continents
Magar’s Seven Summits journey began with Mont Blanc in the Alps in 2019, followed by Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in 2020. He then conquered Mount Everest in 2023, Denali in North America in 2024, Aconcagua in South America in 2025, and Puncak Jaya in Oceania later that year, before culminating with Antarctica’s Mount Vinson in 2026.
Each ascent represented not just a physical triumph but a powerful statement of courage, redefining what is possible for people living with disabilities.
An Enduring Symbol of Hope
From the Himalayas to Antarctica, Magar’s journey now stands as one of the most inspirational stories in modern adventure sport. His achievements are not only rewriting mountaineering history but also reshaping how society views disability, resilience, and human potential.
His story sends a clear and powerful message to the world: limitations do not define dreams; belief, courage, and perseverance do.
