It took five tries and forty years for Xia Boyu, an amazing climber, to get to the top of the world.
On his first Qomolangma try in 1975, Xia got frostbite(冻疮) and had to have his feet—and later legs—amputated (截肢).
Xia went back again in 2014, 2015 and 2016. On that last try a strong snowstorm forced him to turn back less than 100 meters from the top.
"It's been a dream of mine for more than 40 years," Xia said. In 2018 Xia finally realized his dream, making him the first Chinese double amputee to summit(登顶) Qomolangma. "This time after 43 years, Qomolangma accepted me, finally," he said.
"Climbing the highest mountain in the world with prosthetics (假体) adds another level of difficulty, because it is difficult to feel the ground. Whatever you are standing on, what kind of roads you walk on, whether it is good or bad, they do not give you any feelings. You have to learn it day-to-day, to find the feeling," said Xia. He also said he had to use his body to keep balance as prosthetics cannot walk up and down like real legs. "I have to be stronger than others," he added.
"I have learned from my journey to the top that you should move forward bravely no matter what conditions you face. Never give up on your dream," said Xia.
