Mt Hood - Reid Headwall - Solo Ice Climbing

[@allaprima]

that was gnarly bro, great footage!

[@brandonudenby5609]

Thanks man!

[@russman109]

Jesus bro, WELL DONE!! I don't think most people fully understand how truly gnarly big alpine ice routes can be, let alone solo climbing! Strong work! Stay safe man.

[@brandonudenby5609]

Thanks man!

[@thetypetwolife3602]

So inspiring and awesome to watch. I have zero experience but want to do this So Bad. Been studying all the greats, the awesome British Ledgends, documentaries Like The Hard Way Up. Or the first 3 American expeditions to K2. The Eiger Documentaries. The old mountaineering stories are just the coolest stories ever. Im old to be getting started, 38, but Im in shape, I know I can physically do it, like anything the know how is key obviously. Ill start with the Southside easy route but eventually Id like to do hard routes and every other mountain in the northwest too! Man thanks for the video!

[@USAdystopia]

Nicely done, good, efficient pace.

[@Maniac45864]

This is what I want to learn how to do but I am only 18 and don't know how to get into it. I've summitted Hood through the Pearly gates with guides and climbed some other peaks around here on my own, but it just seems too expensive to be able to take courses and learn the ways. I'll just keep getting informed and try to figure it out. Thanks for the incredible video!

[@Ryan.S91]

Fuck yeah, sweet solo. Good on ya!!

[@mistuhfan]

That was amazing to watch. Great climb man.

[@brandothemando4973]

Absolute badass, nice work.

[@spencermather1509]

You have a stomach of steel my man

[@alexsakon]

Man that was intense, well done!

[@LFZhang86]

This is so awesome! I would like to do this route, is there a good place that you recommended to learn ice climbing? I did south route before but don't have much ice climbing experience.

[@tedscott9823]

Bold. Riveting footage

[@Leon-qh9br]

I want to learn your ways

[@chetedwards5125]

Great work, man. I did a variation in 1985. I don't know why videos like this one have add elevator music. The natural sounds of man and nature ought to be enough.

[@CasaDelMandar]

what weather conditions did you look for, weeks leading up to the climb? Wanna try to get these conditions and not just a steep snow slog...

[@brandonudenby5609]

I did this climb with late fall / early winter conditions on Dec 9, 2017 and was fortunate to have these conditions with the perfect weather setup leading up to this. The first half of November was cold and stormy, bringing the first major storm cycle to the mountain for the winter season with heavy snow, cold temps, and high winds. This was followed by an exceptionally warm period in the second half of November, which resulted in some thaw/freeze cycles that created the first dense snow pack base and alpine ice. In late November/ early December, another brief heavy storm cycle came through which dumped a bunch more fresh snow on the mountain. Afterwards, we had a week of nice sunny weather along with high winds as well leading up to the climb, which created some more thaw/freeze cycles and the winds helped out as well. I was watching the weather closely during this time with this objective in mind, and when I saw that we had a week of nice sunny but cold weather and high winds to settle the recent snow dump, and then a few nice days with low winds directly after, I decided it was time to pull the trigger and attempt the climb (and I made sure there was a couple nice days forecasted after the climb so no storms were approaching). I found great conditions and the weather was perfect with low winds. I have done this route in early Jan before and found similar but more filled in and somewhat snowier conditions but still lots of ice as well.

[@CasaDelMandar]

@@brandonudenby5609 thanks so much! thats super helpful!! I'll keep monitoring the forecast :)

[@ericrisner8697]

Hey! What day exactly was this? There was a soloist going up in front of us and I think that it was you! Great video, we didn't take many pictures so this is awesome.

[@brandonudenby5609]

Eric Risner Thanks! This climb was on Saturday Dec 9th, 2017. I did notice a group decending onto the Reid glacier as I was approaching the start of the headwall, I may have some pics of your group

[@ericrisner8697]

Brandon Udenby cool! We were starting up the Headwall as you were finishing the first ice step. We were a party of two. I also noticed the group depending but it wasn't us because we summited that day. I would love to check out your pictures if you think it could be us!

[@katrinanorton3633]

Wow