When Centre Member Hari Budha Magar reached the summit of Everest last May it fulfilled one long-held ambition, but also put him three-sevenths of the way towards completing another.
Why three-sevenths? Because conquering the world’s most famous mountain was the third step of seven on the double-above-knee amputee and disability campaigner’s journey to complete the highest peaks in every continent in the world by the end of next year.
With Mont Blanc (Europe), Kilimanjaro (Africa) and Everest (Asia) now accomplished, Hari will head to Aconcagua (South America), Puncak Jaya, (Oceania) and Mt. Vinson, (Antarctica) in the next 18 months, but his first climbing adventure is Denali (North America) in Alaska.
At 6,190m, Denali is one of the toughest climbs of the 7 Summits. At just 3 degrees south of the Arctic Circle, changeable pressure systems can lead to stormy, unpredictable and relentlessly cold weather on the ascent chilly, with current temperatures dropping to minus 26 degree celsius.
Hari is currently at 11,000ft on Denali in Alaska and said “We are doing really well and snow conditions are good. A bit cold this morning but everything is going to plan. We stay here tonight before moving on to Camp 3. Thank you to everyone who is supporting the expedition.” Having arrived at Base Camp on Sunday, the team headed to Camp 1 the following day before reaching Camp 2 on Wednesday. They will adjust to the altitude before heading on to the next camp. It is still to early to say when they should reach the summit at 20,310 feet (6,190 metres) but the whole team are in good spirits.
Hari was given a boost ahead of the latest test by being awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours at the weekend. This was in recognition of his World Record Everest climb last year and continuing to raise disability awareness.
Hari has launched an appeal (www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/hbm7summits) to raise funds to enable his climbs and the positive impact it will generate in changing people’s perceptions of what is possible for people of disability.