Author: Colin Haley

A Frigid Spanking – Attempting a Winter Solo Ascent of Cerro Torre

I’ve never been one to keep a journal, and in recent years I have realized that, regardless of how interesting it may be or not be to others, this blog is quite valuable to myself. While we are accustomed to thinking of wealth in terms of money and property and material, I think that true … Continue reading A Frigid Spanking – Attempting a Winter Solo Ascent of Cerro Torre

Chaltén 2022-2023: Pilar Goretta Solo, El Corazón Attempt, and Respect to Sean

01 GUILLAUMET 02 GORRA BLANCA 03 LOMA BLANCA 04 TORRE VOLONQUI 05 GORETTA PILLAR SOLO 06 CORAZÓN ATTEMPT 07 REFLECTIONS As I have done sometimes in the past, I am beginning to write this blog post while sitting on a bus from El Chaltén to El Calafate. After more than three months in El Chaltén, … Continue reading Chaltén 2022-2023: Pilar Goretta Solo, El Corazón Attempt, and Respect to Sean

Fitz Roy Winter Solo

During the past few years I have been lazy about writing on my blog. I think this is largely because I now share snippets of my climbing on social media, and after already writing about a climb on social media, even if only very succinctly, some of my motivation to write more deeply has dissipated. … Continue reading Fitz Roy Winter Solo

NUGGET #2 – current recommendations from Patagonia

NUGGET: NERDY, UNSOLICITED, GREAT GEAR ENDORSEMENT / TIP For total transparency, I will mention straight away that one of my contacts at Patagonia (the company, not the place) asked me recently if I would mind making another one of my nerdy gear posts, highlighting my favorite Patagonia gear. However, the pieces of gear that I … Continue reading NUGGET #2 – current recommendations from Patagonia

“Some people love flowers; others love clouds; I love dihedral.” Farewell Korra

It’s been several weeks now since Korra Pesce died while descending Cerro Torre. The circumstances of his death were brutal and it makes me sad to dwell on them for too long. Much has already been said about the accident, and the fantastic ascent that preceded it, so I won’t write much about either. A … Continue reading “Some people love flowers; others love clouds; I love dihedral.” Farewell Korra

NUGGET #1 – the Petzl PUR’LINE

NUGGET: NERDY, UNSOLICITED, GREAT GEAR ENDORSEMENT / TIP This is the first iteration of something I’ve been thinking of starting for a while. The purpose of these “NUGGET” posts will be to share some bits of climbing/mountaineering equipment that I feel are exceptionally good/functional/useful, with some explanation of why I think they are so good. … Continue reading NUGGET #1 – the Petzl PUR’LINE

Chaltén 2020

It hasn't been long since I departed El Chaltén, but sitting in quarantine due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it already feels like a long time ago. I spent the entirety of January and February in El Chaltén (Argentine Patagonia), teamed up for the month of January with Fabian Buhl, and teamed up for the month … Continue reading Chaltén 2020

A Brief Visit to Patagonia, and Reflections on Hard Solo Climbing

I’m currently beginning the long journey back from El Chaltén, concluding my shortest-yet trip to Patagonia, and by far my least productive. I have by now made a total of 16 trips to El Chaltén, and the biggest, most stable window of good weather I’ve ever seen was during the past two weeks. However, August … Continue reading A Brief Visit to Patagonia, and Reflections on Hard Solo Climbing

Not Sending the Gnar in Peru

I’m currently traveling from Peru to Chamonix, reflecting on a totally unsuccessful three and a half weeks in the Cordillera Blanca. At the end of May I traveled with my special lady friend, Alisa, to Huaraz, the major city in Peru’s Ancash region, situated adjacent to the Cordillera Blanca. Unfortunately, after only about 24 hours … Continue reading Not Sending the Gnar in Peru