Former Staff Sgt . Charlie Linville , 29 , from Boise , Idaho , was an explosives expert serving in Afghanistan in 2011 when he was seriously wounded . He lost his left arm and right leg below the knee to a roadside bomb explosion while on patrol with 2nd Battalion of the 1st Stryker Cavalry Regiment at Forward Operating Base Chapman. He retired from service and has been climbing since with The Heroes Project , a nonprofit organization that helps wounded veterans . His quest to climb Everest last year was thwarted following the deaths of 16 Sherpa guides in April when an avalanche swept down .
Former Staff Sgt . Charlie Linville , 29 , from Boise , Idaho , was an explosives expert serving in Afghanistan in 2011 when he was seriously wounded . Two years later , he had his right leg amputated below the knee . He retired from service and has been climbing since with The Heroes Project , a nonprofit organization that helps wounded veterans . His quest to climb Everest last year was thwarted following the deaths of 16 Sherpa guides in April when an avalanche swept down .