Maltese Woman Conquers 5,642-Metre Mount Elbrus After Multi-Year Mountaineering Journey
A Maltese woman has recently conquered Mount Elbrus after a remarkable mountaineering and climbing journey that spanned over the last two years.
Rita Saliba’s story comes as an inspiration for other Maltese women looking to break into the traditionally male-dominated world of extreme sports and high-altitude climbing.
Her journey began in 2022 with rigorous glacier training on Austria’s Grossglockner, the highest mountain in the country, standing tall at 3,798 meters.
During her time on Grossglockner, she mastered advanced mountaineering techniques such as crevasse rescue, ice climbing, and high-altitude navigation. The challenging conditions of the mountain provided a perfect environment for gathering the skills necessary for more ambitious climbs.
With a solid foundation in place, she took on Mount Kilimanjaro in January 2023. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak at 5,895 meters, represented her first major ascent and a significant milestone in her mountaineering career.
This ascent proved to be a testament to her dedication and marked her transition from rigorous training to successfully tackling one of the world’s most iconic summits. The experience on Kilimanjaro continued to further reinforce her determination to pursue even greater heights.
Last push to the summit
Just a few weeks ago, on 17th August, 2024, she reached the pinnacle of her journey by summiting Mount Elbrus, Europe’s highest peak, located in the Caucasus Mountains of Russia.
Standing at 5,642 meters, Saliba described it as the most technically demanding and challenging climb of her career, with severe weather and high-altitude conditions testing her limits.
Her successful ascent of Mount Elbrus marked the culmination of her multi-year journey, with her accomplishments not being just personal triumphs but also milestones in the broader context of Maltese women’s participation in extreme sports.
By successfully summiting these peaks, she has broken new ground, inspiring other Maltese women to challenge themselves and consider entering traditionally male-dominated arenas like high-altitude mountaineering.
Reflecting on her journey, she shared how each peak pushed her to new physical and mental limits, leading to profound personal growth and self-discovery.
She describes her journey as “not just a series of climbs but a testament to the power of human spirit and determination”.
With Mount Elbrus behind her, she is already looking ahead to future challenges. Her sights are now set on even more ambitious goals, such as summiting Denali in North America or Aconcagua in South America.
Well done Rita Saliba!
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