The Challenge 8000 team made up of Greg Attard, Marco Cremona and Robert Gatt has arrived safely back in Malta, accompanied by their guide Victor Saunders, after becoming the first-ever Maltese climbers to successfully reach the summit of Mount Everest – the highest mountain in the world. The team made it to the top of the 8,848 metre high mountain on May 17th at 0216h GMT/ 0600h Nepal time.
There is nothing like such a gruelling and extreme challenge to test personal resolve, self-confidence, resilience and reliability. After their arrival in Malta the climbers commented on the enormous challenge Mount Everest had presented them with. “Back down from the summit, we were faced with a rescue operation, where a climber from a parallel expedition found herself in difficulty at south summit. She had to be carried down after being exposed to the deathzone for more than 24 hours. Storms then hit the base of Mount Everest making it difficult for us to move on to Kathmandu. We raced down to catch two shaky flights to Kathmondu prior to storms hitting the base of Everest but were faced with grounded flights. And after all that we still had to trek down to Lukla. With all the challenges we had to face going back down from the summit we are very satisfied with what we have achieved,” said the Challenge 8000 team.
Marco Cremona added, “On reaching the summit, the risk of staying up there was too great to permit us to fully enjoy the moment. But nothing could detract from the feeling of sheer contentment at reaching the summit and we would like to thank everyone for their support. A big thank you also goes to the sponsors, Duracell and BOV for their help and assistance in making this expedition possible. Duracell which has supported us from the get go also supplied the team with premium quality rechargeable batteries to power the climb and propel the expedition devices in the harsh geographical and climatic conditions of the highest mountain on earth in the Himalayas, Mount Everest.”
“Duracell is proud to have backed the Challenge 8000 team who have achieved their goal following so much hard work and preparation. We are happy to be part of this success!” said John Montanaro, who is representing the Duracell brand locally at V.J. Salomone Marketing Ltd. “Duracell batteries have propelled the expedition devices to the top of the world!”
“Bank of Valletta would like to congratulate the Challenge 8000 team in achieving their goal of summiting Mount Everest after their 47-day difficult expedition,” said Victor Denaro, Chief Officer Bank of Valletta. “We are delighted to have participated in this successful campaign that showcased the determination of our fellow countrymen.”
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