How a Russian who lost his LEGS conquered Everest

"On May 20, at 8:16 am Nepal time, for the first time in the history of mountaineering, for the first time in human history, I, Rustam Nabiev, climbed to the summit of [Mount] Everest using only my hands and arms!" the climber wrote on social media. 

The day that changed everything

Rustam Nabiev, a native of Ufa, lost his legs in a horrific accident: in 2015, the roof of a military training school barracks collapsed on him. Twenty-four of his fellow servicemen died and he was the last to be pulled from the rubble.

Waiting for him at home was his future wife, Indira, who devoted all her time to Rustam's recovery. "When I realized that she had truly stayed with me, that became something more than just support for me. She became the catalyst that accelerated my return to this life," Rustam says of his wife.

After the tragedy, Rustam took up sledge hockey and started a blog about his life. Then, a few years ago, he became passionate about mountaineering.

Conquering peaks

In 2020, he climbed Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Russia (5,642 m). He made it to the top using only his arms and hands. Then, he conquered Mount Kazbek, Mount Ararat and even the eight-thousander Mount Manaslu. Thanks to these incredible achievements, Rustam was inducted into the Guinness World Records.

In April 2026, he traveled to Nepal to see the world from the summit of Mount Everest. The climber shared updates on every stage of his preparation on social media. At base camp, at an altitude of 5,364 m, Rustam celebrated his 34th birthday.

"It was hard to imagine that my life would, one day, lead me right here. But, it's in places like this that you really start to feel alive. To appreciate simple things. The people beside you. The chance to move forward. The ability to dream and to do what once seemed impossible," he writes.

"I dedicate this climb to everyone watching me right now. With this act, I simply want to say one thing: as long as there is life in you – fight! Fight to the very end, please! It’s worth it!" Rustam emphasizes.