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-wint…

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

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 🙌🏼

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!

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!

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.

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 YouTube. 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.

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

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.

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

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

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.