Solo Winter Attempt of Cerro Torre (Sept 2023)

[@colinhaley131]

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/

[@nicklausroberts738]

Bro your a straight boss, thats so gnarly....damn and solo🤦‍♂️ what an amazing accomplishment!🤘

[@THIRTEENTH13TH]

you are defying gravity by dragging your 100 ton balls up that mountain

[@jonbarrett789]

I’m curious what the lead rope solo technique is. Just pre tied knots?

[@leaseo]

Felicitaciones!!! Excelente video del Circo de los Altares!! Estuve ahi en 2006. Abrazo desde la Argentina

[@Genjo_N_Mojave]

Young Man you are utterly amazing and a phenomenal free solo climber, skier, and a major inspiration for anyone willing to maximize the experience of hiking, climbing, skiing and enduring extreme conditions without the help of anyone in your solo endeavor!! Thanks Colin!!

[@colinhaley131]

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.

[@nicklausroberts738]

That snow cave was soooooo fuckn sick bro!! Unbelievable!😃🤙

[@THIRTEENTH13TH]

so you drag that 35kg package up the mountain and you carry your 1 ton iron balls? how does the ice hold?

[@jonnysolaris]

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

[@jojak8066]

Epic profile picture... This is my background Image haha

[@Musicpins]

hahaha yeah what a cave, Snow caving haha

[@jonnysolaris]

@@jojak8066 BR2049 😎

[@honeybunny361]

How much is rent?

[@oldmanwilikers1252]

@@honeybunny3613500 plus maintenance

[@Entropy5]

This is one of the best things I've ever seen on KZbin.

[@jeffreyvontobel6440]

My thoughts exactly

[@ng41275]

yes, definitely something special

[@elig2714]

Ditto!

[@carlosvg1480]

me too.

[@based8223]

Wow, you must live under a rock

[@sethsends]

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

[@derekderek2570]

It’s also 50 minutes long….

[@THIRTEENTH13TH]

what do you mean by that? @@derekderek2570

[@אביעזרא-כ4ש]

Which makes it even better❤​@@derekderek2570

[@DB-ez9ud]

@@derekderek2570agreed. Nowhere near long enough.

[@davydoom]

Facts!

[@benronayne]

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

[@fylipeweickert]

i thought the same man, epic. tripy.

[@George546-he5tz]

Me too... epic

[@amauri3565]

healed my soul

[@colinhaley131]

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.

[@niftyfiftyphoto]

Colin, with such deep snow, do you think a lightweight flotation aid would be helpful? Something like the Cramplifier from auftriib

[@jonathanbattey3901]

Outstanding information! Thanks

[@thomashowell5492]

Is it easier to ski in a double plastic boot then in a leather boot?

[@louistimotheebrunner]

wouldnt it make more sense if the strap starts from the back, so that you feel the tension of the strap when you lean forward, which is also a reminder to lean forward, but now you acutally lean forward, not just your shins but now with your whole body, which is the actual idea of forward leaning, if you know what i mean?

[@jeffmckeown9639]

Bro. This is the best video I've ever watched on KZbin. 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.

[@Lucas-fp9zd]

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.

[@mrhattttttt]

I absolutely loved this video, any recommendations of videos like it that are focused on the climb and not overproduced?

[@tabaeaston6113]

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.

[@niubi42069]

yes fuck the forced story arcs. just show what happened. this was good

[@ejthorson]

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

[@tachometerability]

there's at least one video on the patagonia channel as well - winter supercanaleta solo.

[@jjb2004mk2]

He's been busy digging a snow cave.

[@chrisw4578]

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.

[@booger5514]

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!

[@GabrielManzanero]

Snowtel*

[@kristiantaricco7299]

@@GabrielManzanero Coldtel*

[@yzyz2609]

If KZbin had an Oscar sort of award, this video deserves a nomination.

[@buckmanriver]

"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.

[@casperholm700]

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

[@Gray11163]

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

[@XanderBudnick]

That was awesome. Please post more of these adventures

[@SileDevil]

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 !

[@troytimmons]

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

[@levitateme]

same

[@jonathank7221]

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!

[@nikcezar2445]

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

[@justinhall7470]

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

[@DJ-ws6je]

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

[@jackeld7790]

As someone with no mountaineering experience I was shocked by how much backtracking is involved in climbing! When your energy is such a scarce resource up there, making a difficult climb knowing you'll have to do it all over again must be so mentally exhausting...

[@kryptoniterazor]

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.

[@miguelp7274]

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

[@sqreon9401]

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

[@BlastHardCheese711]

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

[@TwoFingeredMamma]

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

[@Mila_Brearey]

I thought the same thing! It looked magical.

[@warderandall2355]

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

[@menjavlafitta]

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.

[@photographe06]

Amazing adventure. I was there with you at each step. Impressive!

[@ralphmars4653]

This is legitimately one of the most impressive things I've ever seen. The physical and mental challenge this must have presented cannot be overstated, to say nothing of the logistics. Colin, you're a madman. Respect. Like...all of the respect. Great music choices too...the BOC intro and outro...perfection.

[@lifeofluke]

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

[@CoIoneIPanic]

Top shelf vid here. So many youtube vids in this genre lack the ingredients this one has: normal narration not filled with a bunch of fake drama points, point A to point B linear travel with no jumping around or missing segments. Premium music by actual professionals instead of the free crap. And that Snow Cave/ Palace! Like Dr. Zhivago's summer residence. I like the skylight. I would have narrated that as intentional for a safety exit. This guy is too honest. And that ski down, among the most impressive ski descents i have seen, i kept expecting a bergshchrund to swallow this guy up. Huge balls.

[@andrewmitchell5807]

This is some of the best mountaineering footage ive ever seen

[@muttiplay]

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

[@cringeweekend]

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.

[@Alex-mm1vd]

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

[@tsarita]

This was an amazing documentation of your solo expedition. I loved watching all of it. The snow and environment look gorgeous. And great choice of music. I'd never in a million years be able to do anything remotely close to this. So I was living through you by watching. lol! Thank you for sharing.

[@radar8988]

The alpine cinematography community should award you for this epic masterpiece, bravo

[@michaelford5069]

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!

[@mateocarrera5623]

You're a fucking badass Colin, criminally underrated videographer. That you only have 12k subs when this single video has gotten better half of a million views is absurd

[@misarthim6538]

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

[@olilyndale]

This is off the fucking chain! Colin you are something else. It is meditative to go on this journey with you. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@aaronnichols736]

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!!!

[@Coach_jordi]

ive never been so stoked in my life. that snow cave is beautiful

[@EloiGarrido]

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...

[@RunDMS]

Bro this is awesome. Thank you so much for having us along. These views are something I would have never gotten to experience if not for your documentation. Good luck in life my friend!!!

[@spineynorman303]

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

[@Freeeagle23]

I would be honored to even smell one of your boots. WHAT A LEGEND 🫡

[@johnwaters4566]

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

[@dusky4151]

Dude you translated some of the magic of your trip to video perfectly. I didn’t even realize how badly I want to ski but I swear to god I’m going to learn this winter because of this video

[@marcinprzeszlowski1292]

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

[@johnmarshall7357]

Bravo Collin , it’s so refreshing to see someone being real when all these expeditions filmed never put in real genuine heart felt F bombs. I loved and felt everyone of them !

[@msunclekevin714]

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

[@fritz4345]

Amazing scenery. Thanks for freezing your butt off to get us that footage.

[@Kcure57]

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 !!!

[@AndyOnTheMountain]

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

[@207pilot]

colin! admirable winter solo good vocabulary and nice footage. awesome and inspiring.

[@azra4179]

Perfektan video. Uživam u svakom kadru. Hvala.

[@Jahwatson]

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

[@dimitargeorgiev188]

Thanks for letting us noobs inside the world of a mountaineer doing adventures in the purest style

[@jakobtrock-jansen4741]

Opening with Board of Canada, beautiful

[@Synthysizer]

it's unbelievable that this is just available on the internet for anyone to watch. Thank you so much for sharing and stay safe in future adventures!

[@archi-mendel]

That's crazy work and crazy scenery. One of the best videos on KZbin ever 🙌

[@joetaylor2216]

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

[@likearc]

The savage is back with a new video!!!

[@iBrierley]

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

[@mond000]

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.

[@larswillsen]

Amazing stretch .. obviously a very seasoned climber :-)

[@brianprince2587]

damn, skiing down from the marconi was so joyful

[@saltydog6241]

I love this. Thank you for taking me to a place I’ll never see in person. You’re an absolute badass for attempting this.

[@DudeManBroAmigo]

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

[@thomasduthie]

I come back to this video whenever I need extra motivation in life. You're a true inspiration.

[@steed1]

that snow cave was something else!!

[@maraiste8596]

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!

[@robertspringer92]

Such an incredible part of the planet, I hope to someday make it to Patagonia on a climbing trip. Great video, I love that it is raw and shows the realness of these kind of adventures and not just the glory. Cheers and may we all continue to enjoy the passions we love.

[@Ghostcoast1]

Incredible. I have absolutely zero climbing experience and I am utterly fascinated by the mix of honing your craft to such a degree and to process and handle fear so well.

[@markusd4549]

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.

[@geometerfpv2804]

Wow....the views and scenery and also the insight into what it's like to actually be there are amazing.

[@chondromarecords]

i dont normally click on these vids but this was mint ! As a climber but not a mountaineer i do struggle to understand the headspace you guys need to be in for this

[@raphaelwellig5066]

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

[@OllyNicholson-g3j]

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.

[@frankietorres6582]

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

[@DabblingDuckWaterfowl]

Crazy solo hope you continue to do more insane solos best climbing content i have watch in over 6 years

[@marklishmael]

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

[@rickp3753]

I've been watching climbing videos for a long time now. I fail utterly to see the enjoyment in any of this.😂

[@coleman7931]

Shout out to YT recommending me this video so much. Finally watched it (thought you were someone else I was less interested I. From the thumbnail). I need to get into the backcountry.

[@vinceb8041]

A real mountaineer to aspire to, being brave and also critically assessing the situation the whole time. Choosing to bail at exactly the right time, before things have a chance to get really bad with wind and snow. Amazing video too, 49 min went by like a flash!

[@squareinsquare2078]

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

[@tiuclaudio]

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

[@travisvannoy9916]

When you were talking about the view and said “I don’t even know the right word to describe it…it’s just fucking unreal”. That was the right word. What an adventure. Cheers

[@EvilestGem]

That view @14:38, wow simply wow. Really appreciate your hard work which allows me to witness such things. Thank you and much love from Ireland. Stay safe out there!

[@snave4o4]

This was an awesome video to stumble across! Subscribed

[@dachuckster2]

This is fantastic watch. It’s a hell of an adventure and set to great music. I watched from the safety of a camper van in the snowy Japanese Alps feeling much less adventurous than when we parked up.

[@alexnail]

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

[@ddangerousddave]

That was rad!

[@loopghost]

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