'Eternal Solo', the film about Stefano Ragazzo's extraordinary climb on Nameless Tower, Trango

From the 17th to the 26th of July 2024, Italian alpinist Stefano Ragazzo completed the first solo ascent of Eternal Flame on the south face of Nameless Tower (6,251m) in Pakistan’s Trango Tower massif. Widely regarded as the most beautiful and difficult high-altitude big wall in the world, the 650-meter route was established in the summer of 1989 by German climbers Kurt Albert, Wolfgang Güllich, Christof Stiegler, and Milan Sykora.

After drawing the attention of the world’s elite, Thomas and Alexander Huber claimed the first free ascent in 2009 after breaching difficulties up to 7c+. In no uncertain terms, the Hubers described the route as "best and most beautiful free climb on the globe."

The second free ascent was completed in 2022 by Catalan climber Edu Marín, while just a few days later the third free ascent - and extraordinary first onsight - was carried out by Barbara Zangerl and Jacopo Larcher, with Zangerl also claiming the first female ascent.

Ragazzo traveled to the Trango massif with photographers Juan Cirio and Tommaso Longo, then climbed French free style, ie free climbing as much as possible, then resorting to aid when necessary, as is customary on big walls. It's worth remembering an important detail: the 33-year-old climbed single push — without returning to the ground and without the use of fixed ropes.

The feat is documented in the film Eternal Solo, written and directed by Andrea Cossu. The world premiere will take place shortly at the 73rd Trento Film Festival, and the trailer is now online.