2021 was one of the best years for Italian climbing pro Stefano Ghisolfi. He not only won the overall World Cup in lead climbing, but crowned his season with the first repeat of Bibliography, which was only the second 9c worldwide at the time.
By winning the World Cup Overall Title and the Inspection of bibliography reached in Ceüse Stefano Ghisolfi the two goals he had set himself for 2021. But even if his climbing season ended in the best possible way, this did not mean that he should sit back and relax: "The results of last season were great, but I don't see this as the end point, but rather as a step on a longer path of evolution" so Stefano Ghisolfi.
Video: Stefano Ghisolfi's perfect 2021 season
"The results of last season were great, but I don't see this as the end point, but rather as a step on a longer path of evolution."
Stefano Ghisolfi
Crossing borders together
That's why he looked for a new challenge and found it in his home country bow. In the winter of 2022 he succeeded in the climbing area Eremo di San Paolo the direct line from erebor, a variant he had previously thought unclimbable. Stefano Ghisolfi christened his new first ascent The Lonely Mountain (9b).
"I admire Stefano's ambition to constantly work on himself. Every year he gets better, stronger, more confident and I think last year is proof that he's been the best for a number of years."
Adam Ondra
Shortly thereafter, Stefano Ghisolfi began Excalibur to project. The potential 9c route has remained a project to this day, which the Italian describes as perhaps the toughest he has ever attempted in his life. Contrary to usual practice, Stefani Ghisolfi invited other world-class climbers to try Excalibur with him.
«I decided to share this project with other climbers because I am convinced that this is the only way to push our limits - by working together and sharing our experiences towards a common goal.»
Stefano Ghisolfi
That might interest you
- Stefano Ghisolfi: 9b route The Lonely Mountain first climbed
- Stefano Ghisolfi climbs bibliography (9c) in Céüse
- Stefano Ghisolfi downgrades bibliography to 9b +
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Credits: Frontispiece Franz Morandi