Armless man Sudarshan Gautam atop Mount Everest
BY KATIE SCHNEIDER ,CALGARY SUN
Nepalese-born Calgary man Sudarshan Gautam is on top of the world . Lacking both his arms after a childhood accident, he summitted the world’s highest peak on May 20, 2013.
After years of fundraising and training, the Calgary man’s dream of reaching the summit of Mount Everest has come true.
And he’s earned the title of being the first amputee lacking both arms to do it without prosthetic limbs.
Since he lost both arms in a kite-flying accident when he was a teen, nothing has stopped the Nepalese-born Calgarian from having a normal life — now, not even the world’s highest peak.
“I am feeling proud today to step in the top of Mt. Everest at 10:55 a.m., this is due to the inspiration of you all the supporters,” he wrote on his Facebook page, sharing the moment with his supporters and well wishers.
“I have succeeded to fulfil my dream and I’m very happy.”
The experienced climber has scaled many of the world’s highest peaks, spreading his message that “disability is not inability,” but Everest was always high on the list, with a dream of also raising funds for the disabled and orphans in his native country.
Last May, he had to put his dream on hold due to a lack of funding, but thanks to fundraising by friends and donations by sponsors, along with months of training, Gautam reached the peak at late Sunday night, Calgary time, making family and friends like Tirath Mahal proud.
“It’s been three days since he’s eaten,” she said, adding she heard the good news from Gautam’s wife who was informed by base camp officials.
“His energy level was incredibly good — they are amazed.”
Mahal was anxiously waiting by the phone at 6 p.m. Sunday when the last update suggested the team — which includes sherpas helping push and pull him up — was close to the top.
She started worrying when she hadn’t heard anything by midnight, but at 1:08 a.m. Monday Calgary time, came some relief and the message she hoped for.
“We have no words,” Mahal said.
“He’s on top of the world where he’s always wanted to be.”
She said her friend is an inspiration.
“We complain we can’t get up in the morning and go to work, looking at him, the way he climbs, and helping others… we are inspired,” Mahal said.
“The risk he took to make a difference in the world … we are really proud of him.
“It is such an incredible feeling to know such an individual whose inspiration touches everyone’s lives, not only those with disability.”
In the fall of 2005, Gautam scaled Mt. Yala, just north of Kathmandu without artificial limbs or oxygen, and last year spent a month in La Paz, Bolivia, hiking 3,200 metres of Pequeno Alpamayo.
