Imagine standing on the roof of the world, the thin air biting at your cheeks, the vast expanse of the universe stretching out above you. This wasn’t just a dream for Maltese mountaineer, Alex Borg, but a reality he achieved at 8:15 AM on May 16th, 2022. Borg became the first Maltese national to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the highest peak on Earth.

Borg’s journey began not on the icy slopes of the Himalayas, but in the heart of Malta, in the town of Ħamrun. Growing up in this bustling locality, he developed a passion for the outdoors that would eventually lead him to the top of the world. His first taste of mountaineering came in the rugged terrain of the Maltese islands, where he honed his skills on the challenging hikes of Dingli Cliffs and the steep slopes of the Dingli Distillery.

From there, Borg’s ambition grew. He started exploring further afield, tackling peaks in Europe and Africa. But it was Everest that always called to him. “Everest is the ultimate challenge,” he says, “It’s the highest, the most dangerous, and the most iconic. If you can stand on top of Everest, you’ve proven yourself in the mountaineering world.”

Borg’s preparation for Everest was intense and all-encompassing. He trained relentlessly, often running up and down the steep streets of Valletta, or swimming in the cool waters of the Mediterranean. His fitness levels soared, and his body adapted to the demands of high-altitude climbing.

But it wasn’t just about physical fitness. Borg also had to prepare mentally for the challenges ahead. He spent countless hours studying Everest’s weather patterns, learning its moods and quirks. He read about the many expeditions that had come before, learning from their successes and failures. And he practiced his climbing skills on the ice walls of Iceland and the glaciers of Norway.

Borg’s Everest expedition began in Kathmandu, Nepal, where he joined a team of international climbers. Together, they flew to Lukla, the gateway to the Khumbu region, and began the long trek to Everest Base Camp. The journey took them through the Sherpa villages of Namche Bazaar and Dingboche, past the towering peak of Ama Dablam, and finally, to the icy expanse of the Khumbu Glacier.

The climb itself was brutal. Borg and his team faced extreme cold, thin air, and treacherous ice. They navigated the treacherous Khumbu Icefall, climbed the Lhotse Face, and traversed the perilous Hillary Step. But Borg was undeterred. He pushed on, driven by his dream and the support of his family and friends back home in Malta.

Finally, after weeks of climbing, Borg stood on the summit of Everest. He looked out over the vast expanse of the Himalayas, the highest point on Earth beneath his feet. He thought of Ħamrun, of the Mediterranean, of the people who had supported him along the way. And he knew that he had achieved something truly extraordinary.

Borg returned to Malta a hero, his achievement celebrated by the local media and the Maltese public. He was hailed as an inspiration, a testament to what can be achieved with determination and perseverance. But Borg is quick to point out that his achievement was not just about him. It was about the people who supported him, the lessons he learned along the way, and the dreams he inspired in others.

“I hope my climb inspires more Maltese people to push their boundaries,” he says. “Whether it’s climbing Everest or achieving something closer to home, I want people to know that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.”

Borg isn’t resting on his laurels. He’s already planning his next adventure, eyeing up the Seven Summits, the highest peaks on each of the seven continents. But for now, he’s happy to be back in Malta, enjoying the simple pleasures of home. “There’s no place like Malta,” he says, “It’s a small island, but it’s full of big dreams.”