The Cutting Edge Colin Haley's Cerro Torre Winter Solo
Nov 28, 2025
Colin Haley, American alpinist famed for bold alpine solos and Patagonia expertise, and Dougald MacDonald, editor offering alpine-history perspective. They trace Colin's decades-long chase of Cerro Torre. Topics include brutal Patagonian weather, rime-ice tunneling, rope-solo tactics, gear caching and window selection, a dramatic night push and descent challenges on the summit bid.
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Position Gear And Watch Wind Forecasts
- Wait for compact weather windows and position caches for quick launches.
- Prioritize wind forecasts since violent winds define Patagonian risk.
Winter Transforms The Route
- Winter changes ice from soft to hard and brittle, transforming route character.
- That shift forces far more rope-solo techniques and slows progress dramatically.
Plan For No Rescue In Winter Soloing
- Accept near-zero rescue chances and plan self-reliant systems accordingly.
- Avoid soloing technical Patagonian peaks unless you're fully prepared to self-rescue.
