Double Amputee Climbs Space Needle for 8th World Record

When Mandy Horvath wondered if anyone had ever crawled up Seattle's Space Needle, she couldn't find a record. So the bilateral amputee decided to set one herself.

On May 8, Horvath will climb all 832 stairs of the iconic Seattle tower, aiming for her eighth world record. The 98-story ascent to the observation deck 520 feet above the city will be completed entirely on her prosthetic legs.

Horvath already conquered Pikes Peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the Manitou Incline. But this climb carries special meaning beyond adding another record to her collection.

She's raising awareness for Fred Hutch Cancer Center and the American Brain Tumor Association. The effort honors Sean Foley, her friend and mentor who executive produced Naked and Afraid, where Horvath appeared in 2025 as the show's first bilateral amputee survivor.

Foley died of brain cancer in December 2025. "Sean was just such an impactful part of my life that I want to help other people seeking answers for cancer," Horvath says.

The Space Needle typically hosts an annual charity stair climb called Base 2 Space. Due to safety considerations, Horvath couldn't join the regular event but received special permission for her own attempt.

Sunny's Take

What makes Horvath's story so powerful isn't just her physical achievements. It's her gratitude for what she can do rather than focusing on what she's lost.

"I am just fortunate to have the mobility that I do, and I want to take advantage of that while I still can," she tells PEOPLE. "And if that means I get to help other people along the way, that'll make all the pain and suffering that I go through worth it."

Karen Olson, the Space Needle's Chief Marketing and Operations Officer, says the venue is honored to host the climb. "Her story is a powerful reminder that limits are meant to be challenged," Olson says.

Horvath admits she didn't specifically train for this climb. She's relying on her existing strength, determination, and the knowledge that each step carries purpose beyond personal achievement.

The weather will determine the exact timing, but come Friday, Seattle will witness something that's never been done before.