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.