Solo Winter Attempt of Cerro Torre (Sept 2023) 

Hi everyone! First of all, thank you for so many kind compliments! I honestly did not expect anywhere close to the amount of attention that the video has received. Second, I have answered some questions directly, and will try to answer some others in some following comments, but I can't realistically properly answer them all, especially the more general ones. I realize that the video does not explain much of what is going on, and I definitely do not consider it to be a "documentary." My priority is my climbing goals, and making a video is a much lower priority. Even though the video is 49 minutes long, that is an extremely condensed glimpse into a 6-week expedition, and I only filmed a tiny fraction of the time that I was out in the mountains. If anyone really wants to understand better why I am going up, going down, hauling loads, etc, there is a long report of the trip here: colinhaley.com/a-frigid-spanking-attempting-a-winter-solo-ascent-of-cerro-torre/

This is one of the best things I've ever seen on RU-vid.

You didn't just dig a snowcave, you dug a snow cavern!! Even with the thin walls, it was impressive 🙌🏼

you're showing the shit everyone else just edits it out, amazing video dude. this is exactly what im here for.

A bunch of people have asked why I built such a humongous snow cave. First of all, I chose to dig my snowcave from already deep inside of a bergschrund, where the snow that I excavated could fall directly into a crevasse below. So, while I did dig a pretty big cave, the long corridor I did not create - that was already part of the bergschrund, and I simply buffed it out, so as to not have to crawl on my hands and knees to get in and out of the cave. But, indeed, I did still dig a pretty big cave. In total I spent 3 nights sleeping in it, but depending on how things played out with the weather, I could have easily ended up spending a week living in that snow cave. On my first attempt (when I dug the cave), the weather forecast had already gone mostly bad, so I realized I wasn't going to continue climbing on that attempt - I still had some time and energy before it got properly stormy though, so I figured I might as well make a nice snow cave to return to for my next attempt.

Skiing down that mountain after coming out of the snow cavern with the Chemical brothers playing is now my all time favourite adventure film scenes. Absolutely epic. Just makes me won't to go to the mountains

Wow just noticed this is your first video in 5 YEARS? Love the long-form mountaineering docs. Do more of these!

The straps that are attached to my skis are a system that a friend taught me back in 2000, and they are often called either "knee-cords," or "tip-cords." They are totally irrelevant to normal ski touring, but are really helpful for skiing in climbing boots. The main difficulty of skiing in climbing boots is that climbing boots do not have the high, supportive cuff with forward lean that ski boots do. As a result, it is very easy to accidentally get "in the back seat" when skiing in climbing boots. If skiing in very predictable snow (like on groomed runs), it is actually no big deal, and can be a nice exercise to help teach you to keep your weight forward. However, when skiing in climbing boots in variable snow, especially with a heavy pack, it can be a disaster. The "knee cords" are a strap/cord system that goes from the tip of your skis to a strap around your leg, right below your knee. When tensioned, the cords simulate a high-back ski boot with forward lean, and prevent you from getting "in the back seat." Your quads definitely get more tired than skiing in ski boots, and it makes for funny technique at times, but it makes a huge difference for skiing in climbing boots (especially in funky snow, especially with a heavy pack). I have done more skiing in climbing boots than anyone else I know, so I am quite well practiced at it, and I have even used this system to ski fairly steep terrain, such as the Orient Express on Denali, and the Couloir Whymper on Aiguille Verte. To be sure though, it still helps massively to be a good skier in the first place, and I have been skiing a lot for 35 years. The system obviously works better with stiffer skis. In this video I am using 160cm skimo race skis (65mm underfoot), and although they are lightweight, they are actually pretty stiff, with a lot of carbon inside. The bindings are a modified pair of Silvretta 500, which, unfortunately, are still the best binding available for skiing in climbing boots.

Wow! Sooo glad you didn’t edit it further. It was awesome to see the details of the attempt. Thank you! The Alpinist’s Mantra in full effect: “Well, everything is going wrong, this trip is horrible, I’m totally physically and mentally worked. Why am I here? I really should bail… …wait, look at that view! OMG. Ok, let’s go a little further.” Also, that wasn’t a snow cave. That was a Snow Hotel!

This is easily one of the best alpine videos I have ever seen. Amazing climbing, great narration, excellent choices of music and editing. Really amazing stuff man. You are a badass. Seriously inspiring stuff.

BOC, Chemical Brothers and Portishead? What's not to love! Phenomenal video.

Fantastic. This is worth so much more to me than a big production which has to have a narrative and peril and a redemption arc etc. Just one of the best in the world, going climbing, and showing us all. Great music too. Thank you.

Bro. This is the best video I've ever watched on RU-vid. I can't give you enough respect. The physicality, the skill, the scenery, the sweaty palms, the nerves... .13 hours building a show chalet. And you talk like it's no big deal. Easy. My life goal as someone who had two hip replacements, was overweight, sedentary and then discovered the mountains in Washington state, I summitted St. Helens thinking I couldn't ever do it. I know you could do this blindfolded and walking backwards. I'll watch this 20 times. I've shared with my hiking buddies and rave about you. Thank you for having us on your journey. Truly incredible. Thank you. If you are ever in Washington state, please let me make you a meal and share stories. Respect.

"Just a snow camping trip" Ya a bit to modest in all the right ways. This type of climbing and filmmaking is so inspiring. Better than real rock tour IMO.

Awsome little movie, some of us are stuck grinding at work and caught up with all the lifes problems. You sir are free. Happy for you. |Excellent music choice !

holy smokes man, the daisy chain solo through that roof had my palms sweating. Colin Haley, Máquina

A good bail, is way better than a top out. Hats of Colin. Wonderfull attempt and footage.

He thought he was lonely but we were all here to cheer him on. Amazing footage

That was awesome. Please post more of these adventures

Colin's humble and unadulterated approach to climbing (and in creating this video) is admirable and deserves respect.

It’s so cool to see this raw footage of your time In Patagonia. No cinematics..just emotion, suspense, and incredible climbing

Every second absolutely gripping! It's amazing how much more remote these mountains become in deep winter. Every step is such a labor! That ski down in the middle looked absolutely divine, but I'm mostly in awe and jealous of even being able to spend a day in such a wild and sacred place - even as a temporary visitor.

Man the ski descent with that music is beautiful. I love this style of video keeping it as real and raw as possible truly awesome stuff. Cool to see the silvretta 500 and B3 combo on a proper long descent

Soo good to see a longer version, I always feel like the massively shortened ones are basically adverts and you don't really get to see any climbing. Glad you're safe and thanks again for sharing.

damn, skiing down from the marconi was so joyful

As someone who's only seen Cerro Torre from Laguna Torre in autumn, I am fully in awe that someone would even think, "I can climb that," let alone do it solo in winter. Even contemplating the supply shuttle runs make my muscles ache. Seeing the ice sheet that I knew was behind the mountains was quite a treat. The scenery of this region is, as Colin expresses, near impossible to put into words.

What a masterclass of skill and strength. Please keep doing videos like that and the preparation etc

Super content! Thanks Colin for taking us to places we can oly dream of

I agree with a lot of the comments, one of the best things I’ve seen on a screen in a long time. The first person perspective and the minutes-long uncut scenes really draw you into the action. I also really appreciate you showing your process, cleaning the snow off to get to the solid ice, placing ice screws, rapping down to retrieve your pack, digging a snow cave… I felt like I was actually there on the wall. Please bring a gopro (or two) on your next adventure!

not human what you tried to do is fucking insane and there are not many people who would even think about doing this kind of climb so don t feel bad about it you are the real one

This video is insane! You should do more content about Alpine Climber, it would be really interesting a video about how to do solo alpine climb, the gear, the training...

Fantastic film of my favorite place. I love the minimal editing

Opening with Board of Canada, beautiful

Loved this Colin, especially liked all the footage you included of the rope soloing process and even the mistakes. I'm sure it was a lot of work to put together but I sure hope you make more videos in this style!

That is one of the coolest snow caves I've ever seen. Absolutely gorgeous views!

I have so much respect for you. Not reaching the summit is, obviously, the main thing and some may think even a “failure” if you don’t. That is what mountaineering is, 50/50 and you must be ok with either side of that, equally. That process though… you have all of my respect! Thank you for sharing this!!!

Watching on my computer screen was amazing, yet I couldn't imagine being there. Solid fkn push dude! I also really enjoyed the raw footage of this video. Cheers

This adventure of yours was just frigging awesome my friend. We Alpiners salute you!

bro. 🤯 just bonkers. I feel like I need to send you a check and name a kid after you. Bravo, man.

I basically know nothing about your sport, but from the get go I was drawn in your adventure. The music choice !!!, the struggle, all that energy, everything was surreal to me in the best possible way. Amazing work !!!

absolutely insane.

Just WOW! This is a great video; thanks for sharing it with us folks, sitting in our warms homes with snacks, drinks and sweaty palms.

incredible alpinism. I really look up to you man. I'll solo a 14er with class 2/3 and feel like the ultimate badass. Then I watch this video and am extremely humbled knowing how much higher the bar goes. Thank you for keeping in so much of the extras and not editing them out. The rapping, the jugging, the pitch clean ups. Really inspiring

Thanks man. You are a very cool guy. A true hero. Thanks for sharing this with us:)cheers to everyone ! Peace

This is some of the best mountaineering footage ive ever seen

that snow cave was something else!!

The savage is back with a new video!!!

That skidown looked so soothing! Amazing trip! Great video!

what a G keeping everything real. so insane to be that remote by yourself. balls the size of grapefruits!

Just watching it again. Great stuff. I really dig the 'real time' self comentary. I always did and still do that when I'm soloing, even though I very rarely have filmed any of it. I find that the projection of the self analyis outside of the head really helps with keeping the lid on runaway self deception. The odds are massive, and maga massive on a line like that, plus the remoteness. Outstanding effort, and the ski off the cap.... Fucking A ! ... xxx ;-)

Love the passive house patching materials😀

Thanks for taking the trouble to film all of this while already being in a difficult climb. This was an utterly impressive feat, regardless of the bail. Congrats on what you have done and stay safe!

Cerro Torre - the mountains of my dreams from 50 years ago. Thankyou for a wonderful journey. Much respect.

Absolutely fuckin insane views and adventure!

Great vid. You're such a humble climber. Always analytical and realistic. One of the best climbers ever.

Some of the coolest views of a tour I've ever seen! Very professional and clever acting, true aplism, greetings from Munich, Germany!

I think I never seen a video that made me so jealous. The views everywhere are stuning. The fact that you're getting there on your own... The ice climbing, the cave, the skiing, the problem solving... I wan't to be like you when I grow up. Too bad I'm already +30 😓. Massive kudos to you. Stay safe.

Awesome trip, some lovely time in the alpine. Thanks for sharing!

That was one hell of an adventure, and a snow cave!

Which verb combines envy and admiration? Thank you for sharing your process - including the unglamorous bits.

Superb video would love to see more like this from you. Good job, Colin.

I didn't even know that somewhere in the world there are people doing such hard things all alone. it is just insane for me.

I learned a lot, thanks for this

Thanks for sharing!

This is incredible.

Good effort. Love to hear BoC in there!

Wow, thank you for sharing.

Just wow!! Thanks for sharing it!

So inspiring!! thank you

thanks for sharing

Incredible!

Thank you so much for allowing us to follow your adventure.

wonderfull video! Thanks

Great video. Thanks for taking us along.

Dude you are an absolute beast. Super inspiring stuff. Thanks for putting this video together for all of us to enjoy.

amazing video! thanks for sharing this experience

Inspirational. Much love🙏🏼

That was pretty epic man 👍 Mountain burden profanity and some good music, what's not to like.

just found this. what an unbelievebly great video! In particular the climbing section underlayed with the sound of portishead blew me away. What an unlively(?) environment you put yourself in. It seems so fantastic and also unreal. Great job putting it together in the video. It had me sucked in the whole time. I am really impressed!

Incredible

insane video and effort. really appreciate documenting the whole process! keep going and looking for more

incredible

Amazing. Thank you. Loved the detail.

Spectacular 👍

Awesome style, thanks for the video

Thank you for sharing such a heroic solo mission. Your calmness in extreme situations is inspirational.

So inspiring

What an amazing video! Thanks for sharing

Amazing footage Colin..

So rad, thanks for sharing this!

Top movie. Thank you for sharing.

loved this Colin.

Incredible immersion in this adventure ! Thanks!

World Class thanks a lot

Amazing, thanks for sharing much more than the climb !

thanks for the experience, nice tunes too

Incredible video. Thank you so much for sharing your journey!

Amazing

Enjoyed watching this.

you're the man Colin! Thanks for that cool video!