News

Fingerless S. Korean Becomes World’s 1st Disabled Person To Climb All 14 Himalayan Peaks

SEOUL, July 19 — A fingerless South Korean mountaineer has climbed all of the world’s 14 highest mountains in the Himalayas, a local alpine club said Monday, becoming the world’s first person with a disability to accomplish such a feat, Yonhap news agency reported.

Kim Hong-bin reached the summit of the 8,047-meter-high Broad Peak, located in Pakistan’s Karakoram Range, at 4:58 p.m. Sunday (local time), conquering all of the world’s tallest Himalayan peaks, according to the Gwangju Alpine Federation in the southwestern city.

With the feat, the 57-year-old Kim, who lost all of his fingers to frostbite about 30 years ago, has become the first disabled person in the world to climb all 14 eight-thousanders in the Himalayan and the Karakoram ranges. Kim has become the world’s 44th and South Korea’s seventh person to summit all 14 peaks, the alpine club noted.

It said a team of six mountaineers, including Kim, left for the Himalayas on June 14 and set up a base camp at a 4,800-meter location of Broad Peak on July 14. Kim’s team initially experienced difficulties due to bad weather but managed to reach the peak after four days of full-scale climbing.

The expedition was originally scheduled for last year but had been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kim reportedly lost all 10 of his fingers due to frostbite while climbing up the 6,194-meter-high Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America, in 1991.

But he overcame his disability with an indomitable will and a fighting spirit to become the world’s first disabled person to conquer the highest mountains on the seven continents.

Kim reportedly said he hopes his success will give encouragement to all South Koreans exhausted by COVID-19.

Sources: BERNAMA

Adib Mohd

Recent Posts

Stranger Things Returns This November And the Upside Down Is Bringing New Secrets With It

Hey creepaholics, the nightmare society is calling for backup!  November is coming to turn your… Read More

2 days ago

HABIB x Zoo Negara Unveil Limited-Edition Gold Wafers Celebrating Malaysia’s Wildlife Heritage

Calling for gold keepers! On October 24, HABIB will launch its exclusive Limited Edition HABIB… Read More

2 days ago

A Season of Sparkle: Carlo Rino Wraps Up 2025 With Joy, Nostalgia & Everyday Luxury

A Season of Sparkle: Carlo Rino Wraps Up 2025 With Joy, Nostalgia & Everyday Luxury… Read More

2 days ago

Beneath the Armor: Men’s Hidden Battle With Mental Health

Beneath the Armor: Men's Hidden Battle With Mental Health “Therapy? No, I don’t need therapy,… Read More

3 days ago

Carolina Herrera Dares the Good Girl to Move in Audacity!

A touch of elegance, a scent of confidence. Carolina Herrera and Swarovski will bring light… Read More

3 days ago

Lights, Culture, and Celebration: Deepavali Shines Bright at Sunway Lagoon and Lost World of Tambun

Lights, Culture, and Celebration: Deepavali Shines Bright at Sunway Lagoon and Lost World of Tambun… Read More

3 days ago

This website uses cookies.