'You don't conquer Everest - you conquer yourself'

One would think that coming down from the highest peak in the world and flying back to the mountain-free island that is Malta might constitute an anti-climax of sorts.

But the scene at the Malta International Airport yesterday afternoon was anything but that, as the Maltese climbers who scaled Mount Everest were given an emotional welcome by family, friends and supporters.

On May 17 at 6 a.m. Nepali time, Robert Gatt, Marco Cremona and Gregory Attard reached the top of the tallest mountain, becoming the first Maltese nationals to do so.

As soon as Dr Attard came out of the sliding doors at the arrivals hall he tearfully hugged his girlfriend Annmarie, while Mr Cremona hugged his wife Jo, draping a scarf over her shoulders.

Two men wearing Challenge8000 T-shirts appeared, with no media courting them; it turned out these were Robert Gatt, who is based in London, and guide Victor Saunders, who has gone down as the non-Sherpa guide with the highest Everest success rate with his groups.

Dr Attard, self-effacing as ever, played down his achievement, including the rescue of British climber Bonita Norris on the way down: "You don't conquer Everest... you conquer yourself, you conquer your fears; it's a big achievement. Regarding the rescue on the mountain, if I can be of any assistance, why not?"

Mr Cremona, much healthier than he was when he last spoke to The Times from the foot of Mount Everest, when he had the very dry "Khumbu cough", said despite being a first, the expedition placed Malta among the top five nations in terms of the number of mountaineers who have climbed Everest per capita.

Mr Gatt, who lives in London, did not really take into account the fact that he was making Maltese history as he led the race to the top on May 17.

"I guess I was quite focused on the climb, I wasn't really thinking that I was the first or not, I had one of the best climbing days ever. Besides being Everest, it was also a very good climbing day for me. I felt very strong, and I was actually the first on the mountain itself."

For Mr Saunders, an architect turned mountain guide, the Maltese group was "one of the nicest, friendliest groups" he's ever been with.

"I really wasn't going to go this year, it's just that they twisted my arm and, you know, they rang me up... I mean, I'm just there to make things easier, not really leading, I'm kind of more, just the servant," the guide said.

The return to Malta also marked the end of Challenge8000 as a group.

The expedition cost the group a bomb but was made possible by main sponsors Duracell and BOV, as well a swathe of other companies that supported the venture like Air Malta, The Bowline, Technoline, Medcomms, Wall Rats, Symetriks, Emirates and Herbalife.