Maltese mountaineer reaches top of Mount Everest

Maltese mountaineer Nicky Ellul has managed to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, on Wednesday. 

Ellul began his journey to the top of the Himalayas in early April in Nepal and reached the 8,848.86-metre summit on May 20 after 45 days of climbing. He was the only Maltese climber in his group. 

He could not be reached for comment because of limited internet access on the mountain. However, the tour company leading the expedition posted that Ellul had reached the summit and wished him and the rest of the group a safe descent.

Ellul is the first climber listed in the group that managed to summit Everest on May 20 Photo: Satori Adeventures

Ellul has been documenting his Everest expedition on social media for several weeks, sharing updates about his preparations, his journey through Nepal and the Himalayas and the challenges faced along the way.

His latest post, published three days ago, read: “Day 43 of Everest Expedition. As I am currently pushing for the summit of Everest with no access to the internet.”

The reel included a short clip of people discussing how they spend their income before cutting to Ellul on the top of a mountain, surrounded by breathtaking views.

Throughout the expedition, Ellul has highlighted the positive side of the climb, including the friendships he made and the dramatic scenery of the Himalayas.

But his posts also highlighted the dangers of climbing Everest.

In one reel, published on April 22, day 18 of his expedition, Ellul came across human remains in the icy waters of the Khumbu Icefall.

“We climbed 350m up the Khumbu Icefall and on the way we discovered a cadaver had appeared due to the melting ice. It serves as a sombre reminder of the dangers that lie ahead," he wrote on social media.

According to the Himalayan Database, more than 300 people have died while attempting to climb Everest, the highest mountain above sea level.

Everest’s height was most recently measured in 2020 through a joint survey by Nepalese and Chinese authorities. The mountain stands at 8,848.86 metres and lies in the Himalayas, on the border between Nepal and China.

The first Maltese climbers to reach the summit were Gregory Attard, Marco Cremona and Robert Gatt, who climbed Everest in May 2010.

Last year, a group of 28 Maltese travellers reached Everest Base Camp in Tibet, making it the largest Maltese group to do so.