In mid-March, the Italian alpinist and mountain guide Stefano Ragazzo climbed the Croda Rossa in the Rosengarten Group alone. His solo ascent of the famous line by Christoph Heinz and Oswald Celva is likely to be the first winter solo of Moulin Rouge (400m, 7b).
Stefano Ragazzo, Italian alpinist and mountain guide, manages what is probably the first winter solo ascent of Moulin Rouge in the Rotawand. The line through the imposing and overhanging wall in the Rosengarten group was set up 21 years ago by Christoph Hainz together with Oswald Celva. In 2005, Nicola Tondini and Nicola Sartori secured the first winter ascent.
«Moulin Rouge - Rope Solo. I've had the idea of climbing this route solo and in winter for years, but I never found the right moment, physical condition or attitude to do it."
Stefano Ragazzo
Moulin Rouge Winter Solo: idea becomes reality
This will change in early March. Stefano Ragazzo senses that the time has come and sets off. "I decided to get in my van and drive from Chamonix to my home country, the Dolomites, to take advantage of the last window of good weather."
On March 17, at quarter to five in the morning, the alpinist leaves his tent at the foot of the Croda Rossa. At 6 o'clock he climbs the wall. 13 hours later he reaches the 2806 meter high summit in the last light.
Stefano Ragazzo allows himself a break of just half an hour so as not to be surprised by the darkness in the middle of the overhanging wall without a comfortable bivouac spot.
According to Stefano Ragazzo, the solo ascent of the Moulin Rouge was not as easy as he had planned. "When I got to my destination around 19.30:XNUMX p.m., my body was plagued by cramps and my mind was exhausted." At the same time, it was a comprehensive experience that he really needed.
That might interest you
- Hansjörg Auer climbs three peaks in the Dolomites free solo
- What a consolation: Jorge Diaz-Rullo climbs 8c and 8b+ route onsight
- Never so many crevasse falls | Mountain emergency statistics 2022
Do you like our climbing magazine? When we launched LACRUX, we decided not to introduce a payment barrier. It will stay that way, because we want to provide as many like-minded people with news from the climbing scene.
In order to be more independent of advertising revenue in the future and to provide you with even more and better content, we need your support.
Therefore: Help and support our magazine with a small contribution. Naturally you benefit multiple times. How? You will find out here .
+ + +
Credits: Cover picture Stefano Ragazzo