Will Gadd, considered one of the very best ice climbers in North America, became the first man to scale the icy face of the Niagara Gorge next to the Horseshoe Falls on January 27th. The 47 year old Gadd accomplished the feat along with 34 year old Sarah Hueniken, all while being recorded by a team of photographers provided by Red Bull energy drink. The feat was the latest in man’s need to test and conquer the power and majesty of Niagara Falls.

Will Gadd, photo by Greg Mionske

After working with the New York Parks Department and Niagara Falls Parks Police, Gadd and his team were able to create a comprehensive plan to ensure the climb could be done safely and the necessary precautions were taken to protect the natural environment, as he put the final touch on one of his most epic years ever as a climber. Says Gadd: “It’s one of the most visited places in North America. We have to treat it as a jewel, or it won’t work.”

There were two priorities for the climb – ethics, and safety. “We’re doing it on natural protection,” he says. “No bolts. There won’t be one thing left in the ice that wasn’t there to begin with, and that’s the best possible way to do it.” The line – which sits on the American side of the Horseshoe section of Niagara, near what’s known as Terrapin Point – extends approximately 45m from bottom to top.

It’s not easy ice, either. “The ice is formed in layers,” he says. “That means there’s a layer of ice, then snow (with a lot of air), then another layer of ice. It’s unstable, for sure.” Will estimates the grade at WI6+, as hard as it gets for this style of climbing. Tools he used include ice axes, crampons, and a specially-designed Black Diamond prototype ‘ice hook.’

The day before the climb, Gadd dropped in from above to clear the route of dangerous hanging ice that could break off during his climb. “I was taking off pieces the size of small cars,” he says. After a full day in front of the route, it was ready.

The environment may appear pristine, but it’s anything but peaceful. With 150,000 tons of water flowing over the crest every minute at speeds of nearly 100kph, the water impact is equivalent to roughly 4,000 18-wheel trucks hitting the ground at the same time. “The massive water flow constantly shakes the ground, and makes the ice shelves and walls around you unsteady and unpredictable,” says Will. “It’s a harsh environment and an intense challenge to stay attached to the wall, let alone climb it.”

The route starts with an intense traverse over something Will came to call the ‘cauldron of doom,’ where the waterfall slammed into a hole in the ice. “If you go in the cauldron of doom, you’re done,” he says. “You can hit rocks, drown, or freeze to death. Above the cauldron, he and his climbing partner, Sarah, set up a belay station in an ice cave a little smaller than a phonebooth.

From there, he methodically picked his way up the route, stopping every few metres to add protection in the form of ice screws and climbing quick draws. One of the biggest challenges? Getting really, really wet. “I was so close to the water, I could reach out and stick my ice tool in the Niagara Falls. At one point I was behind the water, climbing on ice that froze behind the falls. I got a whole lot of Niagara down my neck!”

Gadd ascended the route three times, taking about an hour for each ascent. The line lies nearly perfectly on the American-Canadian border – a fitting location for Gadd, who is a citizen of both countries, and the perfect finish to an incredible year that saw him put up a new route on Helmcken Falls, climb ice in Kilimanjaro, and take home top honors at the Ouray Ice Festival.

So, how did it feel to claim victory on top of Niagara? Actually, Will isn’t sure about the ‘victory.’ “That climb beat me up. I may have reached the top, but Niagara won the war. At the end of the day I was hypothermic. That waterfall did a lot more damage to me than I did to it!” Victory or not, Gadd accomplished one thing for sure – an historic ice climb on the world’s most iconic waterfall.

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Will Gadd descends down gorge next to Horseshoe Falls

The ice covered cliff, just feet away from the majestic Horseshoe Falls, was the site for a daring ice climb Tuesday in Niagara Falls, reportedly performed by Will Gadd, Canada’s most prominent ice climber. Gadd was identified by a Niagara Falls Ontario Constable as he watched the feat performed Tuesday and told Niagara Falls Up Close that it was part of promotion for a popular energy drink. Will Gadd has been sponsored in the past by Red Bull.

The Niagara Falls Review ran a story on Monday, January 26th identifying the climber as a member of United States law enforcement, conducting a training exercise. However, the video cameras and rigging present Tuesday on the scene at Goat Island gave the appearance of an active television production being shot. Once Gadd was identified as the climber it became apparent it was no training exercise for law enforcement, rather a possible promotion for Red Bull that was being recorded for later release.

Will Gadd

Will Gadd, known as the Captain of Adventure by those who follow his exploits, has won multiple major ice climbing titles title from the World Cup to the Winter X Games. In 2010 Will Gadd repeatedly climbed a 130 foot ice wall for 24 hours straight at the Ouray Ice Festival in Colorado, reaching a final total height of 25,414 feet. The location in the Niagara Gorge where Gadd performed his climb Tuesday is estimated to be approximately 180 feet high.

The rigging and camera crews were set-up at the location known as Terrapin Point on Goat island in the Niagara Falls State Park.  That area is closed off to tourists during the winter months due to the heavy icing created by the mist of the Horseshoe Falls.

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Anthony Melchiorri, host of The Travel Channel’s “Hotel Impossible” is in Niagara Falls NY this week recording a hotel makeover episode at the Waldorf Niagara located at the corner of Rainbow Boulevard and John Daly Blvd. According to a crew member at the site they arrived in Niagara Falls on Monday and will be shooting the episode throughout the week. The air date for the episode shot in Niagara Falls has not been determined, but  speculation is that it should air late Summer, early Fall.

Cameraman recording arrival of new furniture at the Waldorf Niagara in Niagara Falls New York.

The production includes remodeling rooms with new carpet, paint, fixtures and furniture. Several vans and construction trucks from area contractors were seen in the hotel parking lot and alley.

The fifty-five room Waldorf Niagara features the popular Villella’s Italian Restaurant on the Rainbow Boulevard side of the property and a small indoor swimming pool. The Waldorf Niagara was at one time affiliated with the Super 8 hotel chain.

Melchiorri, who is a twenty year veteran of the hotel industry, was last in the area in 2013 doing a make-over on the Ritz Inn on the Canadian side of the border. That episode aired in October of 2013 on The Travel Channel.

Jimmy Fallon, host of The Tonight Show on NBC, drew attention on his show for commenting to Nicole Kidman that “The New York side (of Niagara Falls) looks like a Lemony Snicket book cover, sad and trees with no leaves on it.” While the comment didn’t sit well with Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster, the Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation  decided to turn lemons into lemon aid.

The NTCC has launched a social media campaign aimed at showing the host “just how great he looks here” by using his picture along with images of local attractions. The campaign urges the use of the hashtag #FallinforFallon on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

The NTCC started the campaign off with a picture of Jimmy Fallon’s head pasted on a picture of the Maid of the Mist.

“Our Niagara Falls USA is not only home to a gorgeous world wonder, but it is a place rich in history, culture, outdoor life, shopping, adventure and agriculture. There are hundreds of attractions and things to do in Niagara USA year-round,” the organization said. “We need to make sure that Fallon and all of his fans know this, too!”