Climbing is a sport where failure and success are often intertwined. It’s not uncommon to experience multiple failures before achieving a successful climb. This period of failure can range from just one session to weeks, months, or even seasons for mega-projects.
One climber who has experienced this firsthand is Stefano Ghisolfi, who has chosen two of the world’s hardest climbs as his mega-projects: Burden of Dreams V17 and Silence 5.15d. La Sportiva recently released a film documenting Ghisolfi’s attempts at these two climbs during a trip to Scandinavia in May 2023, following his first ascent of Excalibur 5.15c in Arco. The film provides a detailed breakdown of the V15-ish crux of Silence, showcasing Ghisolfi’s determination and skill in his pursuit of these challenging climbs.
Over the past two years, Ghisolfi has made multiple trips to Flatanger in an effort to claim the second ascent of Adam Ondra’s Silence 5.15d, a highly coveted achievement in the climbing world. Additionally, he has taken on Nalle Hukkataival’s Burden of Dreams boulder project, surprising many with his progress despite not being known for his bouldering skills. Ghisolfi’s determination and commitment to these projects are evident as he continues to push himself and seek improvement.
As one of the world’s best sport climbers, Ghisolfi has an impressive resume of difficult climbs, including four 5.15c ascents and notable repeats and first ascents of 5.15b and 5.14d routes. His recent accomplishments in 2023, such as the first ascent of Excalibur 5