Maltese mountaineer and rock climber Rita Saliba has successfully reached the summit of Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, completing one of the most demanding climbs of her career while raising awareness and funds for abandoned animals in Malta.
The 31-year-old climber reached the 6,961-metre peak yesterday after a tough 10-hour summit push under harsher-than-usual conditions. Heavy snowfall blanketed the mountain, forcing climbers to use crampons for the entire ascent – an added challenge on South America’s highest mountain, renowned for its extreme altitude, biting cold and powerful winds.
Saliba was part of a nine-member expedition group made up of seven men and two women. Of the group, only five climbers successfully summited, with Saliba standing out as the only woman to reach the top.
Originally planned as a minimum 16-day expedition with three additional contingency days for weather delays, the climb had to be accelerated due to worsening conditions forecast on the mountain. The team ultimately completed the expedition in 15 days, pushing through tight timelines and physical fatigue to beat the incoming storms.
Reflecting on the achievement, Saliba described the climb as the result of “quiet hard work, early mornings, tough days, and learning to keep going even when it felt uncomfortable”. While the views from the summit were unforgettable, she said the shared journey and friendships formed along the way made the experience even more meaningful.
Saliba had reached base camp after several days of trekking and acclimatisation, with preparations then intensifying for the final ascent.
Beyond the athletic achievement, the expedition carried a deeper purpose. The climb formed part of Saliba’s ongoing mission to complete the Seven Summits – scaling the highest mountain on each continent – while supporting Malta’s Association for Abandoned Animals (AAA). Through the expedition, she aimed to shine a spotlight on the ongoing challenges faced by abandoned animals on the islands and to encourage public support for animal welfare initiatives.
Over the past two years, Saliba has steadily advanced towards her Seven Summits goal, having already summited Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Mount Elbrus in Russia. Her successful ascent of Aconcagua represents a major milestone in that journey.
Grateful for the experience and the support behind it, Saliba described the climb as “truly worth it”, both for the personal challenge it represented and for the cause it continues to represent.