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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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

"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.

Well done. A very real account of a very real adventure few people would dare. Thank you for the inspirational effort.

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

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 !

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

Balls of steel man much respect for you)))))

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.

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

That was awesome. Please post more of these adventures

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

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

One of the best climbing videos I have seen here. Your honesty about your feelings and doubts at each stage makes it so relatable. Fine job!

Your cavern was so well lit it looked like a Cathederal with the most amazing fractal lighting you could wish for.

Opening with Board of Canada, beautiful

Amazing video, amazing journey, and what an amazing condo you made on the mountain ! Thank you. Very motivational video.

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.

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!

You have caught the feeling of being alone - just you and the mountain and struggling to achieve your goals - so well! That was awesome! The pain and the beauty. Love it

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

That was amazing, all alone in the wilderness of Patagonia!

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

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!!!

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.

damn, skiing down from the marconi was so joyful

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

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!

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

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

Playing with the Mountain spirits 🕊 Incredible journey 🏔️

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

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 !!!

Mate this an epic self doco… you got some skills 🤩

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

You are a legend! incredibly inspiring, thanks for sharing

Hey Colin, great and inspiring video. I liked how you comment on your adventure. Boards of Canada of course a super music choice!

absolutely insane.

This is some of the best mountaineering footage ive ever seen

The savage is back with a new video!!!

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

Wildly educational and very entertaining, thanks for sharing your adventure

Super dope video man, this was fascinating to watch!! There was something very refreshing and unique about this vid!!

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...

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.

that snow cave was something else!!

Amazing! Thank you for sharing this. So amazing to see this angle of the process and imagine being in that isolated place. Super cool dude.

The snow formations there are just wild!

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.

That skiing sequence with Chemical brothers track is just pure perfection. Absolutely amazing documentary.

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

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!

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

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

Colin!! these videos are so awesome. Please keep sharing. : )

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

This is incredible.

Absolutely fuckin insane views and adventure!

You are a machine... and a very humble one. I hope to see you down there one season.. thanks for the inspiration. Winter is coming!!!!

Absolutely brutal, thank you for this video.

Thanks for posting this! What an amazing adventure! I loved the views and the peek at some of the details of mountain climbing. Mountains in winter definitely seem like places where man is not meant to be.

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

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

Stunning footage - gives a real sense (if only in a small way compared to the real thing) of how epic and awesome it was.

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

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!

Amazing footage Colin..

Just wow. The mix of your tools, points, screws and ice creaking together with Humming is simply inspired. You'd make a solid music supervisor.

I literally had no idea this is how people acheived this kind of thing. What an amazing video, thanks for putting it together

i'm speechless. I have no insight into this world, this type of climbing, mountaineering. I can only imagine how much planning and preparation you'd have to do. Very cool.

Love the passive house patching materials😀

Music choice for this is just spot on, Boards, Brothers, Mansell, Portishead, love them all, all time. Perfect with a big ass mountain.

I have that Chemical Brothers Album on vinyl and just listened to it yesterday, and here we are. Lol.

Fascinating. I have huge respect for your achievements . Be safe out there and always Bergheil as we say in Germany

crazy adventure. this should have thousands of views.

Proud of you man! Fantastic video, I'd love to see more from you! Unreal skill and very good music

I've climbed mountains, but never in the winter, never with ice, it just terrifies me. Amazing.

Hello Colin I congratulate you on the great solo ascent of Cerro Torre. Thank you for the wonderful film. I wish you good mountain and ski tours. With alpine greetings Raphael Wellig

Amazing video: scenery and narration are off the charts, plus incredible soundtrack selection.

We need more of this video 😮

Super amazing what you did, I was wondering how ppl do that and you just showed all! Super nice! Thanks for the video! You are very brave

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

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.

Freedom embodied. Absolutely stunning

Reminds me of how climbing used to be. Well done.

This was an awesome video to stumble across! Subscribed

Amazing. Thank you. Loved the detail.