Records & People

He Lost Both Legs in a Barracks Collapse. He Just Climbed Everest Using Only His Arms.

Russian veteran Rustam Nabiev spent about a week — instead of the usual three or four days — hauling himself past the Khumbu Icefall and up the…

By Laxman Rawal · Jul 28, 2026

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Key facts Rustam Nabiev, 34, lost both legs below the waist in 2015 when a Russian military barracks collapsed on him. He reached Everest's 8,848.86m summit at 8:16am on 20 May 2026 — with no prosthetic legs, using arm strength alone. The Khumbu Icefall…

Travel Himalaya Nepal · News

What this means for trekkers

What this means for you You don't need Nabiev's arms to feel what he felt on that ladder. The Khumbu Icefall is the single hardest stretch on the route to Everest — which is exactly why almost no trekking itinerary, including ours, sends ordinary trekkers…

Travel Himalaya Nepal · News

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