Yana Pavlova, Pavel Milyakov Strong-Willed (2021)
Despite its height of only 10,262 feet (3,128 meters), Cerro Torre in the Southern Patagonian Ice Field is among the most challenging summits to climb. The mountain's incredibly steep granite walls make it resemble a gigantic needle rather than a typical peak. Additionally, the summit is often capped with a mushroom of rime ice formed by strong winds.
In 1959, Italian mountaineer Cesare Maestri, known as the “Spider of the Dolomites,” claimed to have conquered this iconic mountain during an expedition with fellow climber Toni Egger. However, there is no evidence to support this first ascent, as Egger, who reportedly took the summit photo, was tragically swept away by an avalanche during the descent.
Many prominent alpinists, including Reinhold Messner, doubted Maestri's account, as the climb appeared impossible with the equipment available in the 1950s. Furthermore, while bolts and ropes used by Maestri and Egger were found up to a point near the peak, they were conspicuously absent beyond that point.
In 1970, Maestri returned to Cerro Torre, attempting a new route that became known as the “Compressor Route.” The name derives from the petrol-powered air compressor Maestri used, which weighed about 300 pounds (135 kg). He installed hundreds of bolts and set up thousands of meters of fixed ropes, a tactic that drew criticism from fellow alpinists. Maestri didn’t reach the top this time (either, perhaps), stopping short of the “ice mushroom” at the peak.
Whether Maestri truly mastered Cerro Torre or not—he steadfastly maintained that he did—he certainly demonstrated perseverance, which would have made “Strong-Willed” by Ukrainian singer Yana Pavlova and Russian producer Pavel Milyakov a fitting soundtrack to his relationship with the iconic mountain had the song been written a couple of decades earlier.
Released in 2021, the hymn addresses the theme of setbacks and the idea that overcoming them makes one stronger. As Pavlova sings: “Straight downhill when you get loose. It’s gonna make you strong-willed. Take that. You’re done. It’s gonna take a while, but then you’ll reach full... potential.”
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