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Brandon Marshal

@brandon.wanthal

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followers

959

following

I like to write, ski and climb.
@icelantic_skis @rangemealbar @blackdiamond @thehighroute

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One of the coolest aspects of the social media era is our access to inspiration. I've long fancied the idea of merging alpine rock climbing with technical skiing, but it wasn't until @michaelogardner posted about his second lap on the visionary Complete Exum Ridge (5.7, IV) to Ford Couloir linkup that I began taking my dreams more seriously. @the_high_route podcast poured gasoline on my fire (give em' a listen) and sure enough there I was, on a warm Sunday March 17th, with @chasekrumholz to make our mutual dream of climbing Irene's Arete (5.8, III) and skiing the Spoon Couloir a reality.

The climb went so smoothly we were genuinely surprised. The feeling of running the rope with a trim rack on one of the most classic alpine climbs in the Tetons, skis in tow, for a descent of a classic steep couloir visible from the park road left me satiated yet inspired - clearly there was room for a little more struggle.

Three days later I found myself at the base of the Direct South Ridge (5.7, III) on Nez Perce with @haydenevans13. Six pitches of dry rock climbing led to two icy mixed pitches in ski boots and crampons, then a few hundred feet of easy soloing took us to the top. A ski descent of the Spooky Face in sunset alpenglow was the cherry on the sundae, rounding out a 14 hour day rivaling any I've ever had in the mountains... ever... ever!

While this new sport might seem ludicrous to most (and it probably is), it's produced some of the most full value experiences I can imagine. I love these magical mountains and the people I get to enjoy them with ✨

I'll be sharing a bit more on my website in the days and weeks to come.

📸 1-3: Climbing Irene's
📸 4: Irene's Arete from Garnet Canyon
📸 5: Spoon Couloir
📸 6-7: Direct South Ridge on Nez Perce
📸 8: Skiing the Spooky Face
📸 9: Rappelling the Spooky Face
📸 10: Nez Perce and the Spooky Face from 2023

@icelantic_skis
@rangemealbar
@blackdiamond

#tenthousandtoofar #skialpinism #tradclimbing #rockclimbing #skimountaineering #backountryskiing #grandtetonnationalpark taken in Wyoming by @brandon.wanthal

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3 years ago

I have an oscillating relationship with social media. The last few months I've been distant. I've said this before - but I never want to create a facade of perfection surrounding my life. I fear being judged. However, I do enjoy seeing and reading about what my friends are up to, so I guess I'll throw some pictures and stories of my own into the digital pot.

As winter comes to a close, I'm left reflecting on the most gravitational moments. And undoubtedly, the one that rises above all was a ski descent of the Otterbody Snowfield with @haydenevans13 and Julian Winston in late March.

I've stalked this ephemeral and daunting gem for the better part of two years. Beginning from the summit of the Grand Teton at 13,775 feet, the Otterbody is a masterpiece of exposure, steepness and improbability. It's easily viewed from the valley floor. Winter after winter it slipped through my grasp, or maybe I let it slip. The idea of linking turns on arguably the most iconic hanging snowfield in North America, then rappelling onto the sinewy Otterbody Snowfield, and continuing skiing along the flanks of the universe to the precipice of a 400 foot sloping cliff barring access to Teepe Glacier, a 1,700 foot technical puzzle in totality, provoked equal proportions of dreams and nightmares. In years past, maybe the nightmares had the upper hand.

Having now skied the Otterbody, I can resoundingly say I'm glad I waited. Finding the route in optimal conditions is both imperative and fickle. While we could've used a bit more visibility, cloud cover, light winds and cold temps kept snow surfaces cool for the entirety of our descent. 6-12 inches of medium density powder allowed for fluid skiing on every skiable inch of both snowfields. Being the first team to descend the Otterbody in the 2024/25 season, we used only one existing anchor for a total of four rappels. Every summer, rockfall and avalanches scrape the lower portion of the route, eliminating fixed gear of year's past. Building our anchors was a tedious exercise in craftsmanship, all while clinging to the edge of reality.

The word that comes to mind is patience. Good things come to those that wait.

#skimountaineering taken in Wyoming by @brandon.wanthal

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a year ago

Ever since skiing the Bubble Fun Couloir with @haydenevans13 a few months ago I've been dreaming of putting this linkup together. Without an official name I've called it the Buck Triple - skiing the Bubble Fun, Newc and Northwest Couloirs on the North Face of Buck Mountain in a single day. I always thought I'd do it with a partner, after all, skiing 60 degree snow with two 60M ropes doesn't often tickle my fancy, but sometimes a brief weather window opens and it's just easier to forgo tedious partner logistics. From what I can gather this is the first time the Buck Triple has been completed solo.

May 20th was an excellent ten hour day with generally favorable snow conditions in all three lines. The Bubble Fun was the most variable, chalky powder sandwiched between a firm entry and icy tail, where the Newc and Northwest were consistent delectable boot-top powder save for firm sun effected exits. All three lines offer sustained skiing between 50-60 degrees with omnipresent no-fall exposure for their entirety. Putting this day together tested both the mental and physical cortexes of my ski mountaineering like no other outing has done before. The best part is, the whole thing sorta just flowed together effortlessly without error or interruption, undoubtedly one of the most magical days I've had in these mountains.

It's hard to post personal achievements on social media without fear of being perceived as conceited. I also never want to create a facade where people presume I live some fairy tale existence just skiing powder and climbing rocks. I do ski quite a bit of powder and climb many rocks, but I'm also neck deep in debt after getting bludgeoned by taxes for my small business, battling mental health issues, nursing injuries, driving a car that breaks down regularly and working far more hours than I spend in the mountains. Social media is a distilled highlight reel of life, and I believe that's okay, so long as a realistic perspective is kept at the forefront. Maybe I'll post a picture of some car bills and a crumpled pint of ice cream next.

All said, I really am proud of this day, and hope it can spread positive energy.

#tenthousandtoofar #skimountaineering taken in Wyoming by @brandon.wanthal

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2 years ago

Late August is about the time I start dreaming of winter. Here's some previously unshared slides I dug up in my reminiscence.

The 2024/25 winter was a meaningful one, and this May day was the capstone. The Southeast Couloir of the South Teton lies in plain sight, arguably the most striking and obvious ski descent in the entire range visible from the valley floor, but sees few descents. Why? It's damn steep, committing, high consequence, and difficult to find in good condition due to solar exposure and a broad overhead snowfield which continuously sheds debris.

I never thought I'd ski this line, one I'd eyeballed for a decade, with inches of visibility. But the fall line is well defined, stability was right, and the generous smattering of peppery cliffs provided just enough depth perception. The 50 degree jump turns on the summit headwall were equally eerie and disorienting. Unnervingly scratchy skiing culminating in an unsuspecting ice bulge prompted @mikeparri to toss me a rope. I was espescially excited for my @blackdiamond whippet this day. Did I fly too close to the sun, with edges resisting purchase on dark blue water ice? I'm still breathing, and did grow up skiing ten lifetimes of bulletproof ice in the Northeast. Plus, I knew Mike had my back. The skiing below the crux was spectacular powder, an especially sweet treat in May.

After 4,000 feet of fall line bliss we punched a hole in the thin ice of Lake Taminah to refill water, downed some gummy worms, and continued up Wanda Pinnacle to place a cherry on our South Teton sundae. The remaining details of our day are irrelevant. What matters is the second-to-none feeling of skiing inspiring terrain with good friends. It's an intoxicating cocktail.

My freind Chris calls these days "expression sessions." I've come to adore that consonance. In the muted landscape of deep alpine winter I feel liberated, free to wander where inspiration leads me. On skis I am most alive.

I'm excited to slide on snow again, and hope you are too ❄️

#tenthousandtoofar #skimountaineering taken in Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem by @brandon.wanthal

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2 months ago

A little mid-summer check in from one of the hottest incorporated cities in the United States: Needles, California. @ricky_bobbi and I have been in the Mojave Desert since late March, and around Needles specifically for three months. 100 degrees is considered a cool day, 110 reasonable, and only exceeding 120 will locals start complaining. Such incompressible heat makes my brain fuzzy. At what point will our precious earth spontaneously combust? Nevertheless, we're adapting.

After 60 weekly hours in the field, weekends consist of a two hour commute to Las Vegas, with time split between the alpine limestone wonderland of Mount Charleston, or Red Rocks when shady temps allow.

Despite constant and persistent fatigue I've managed an exciting collection of meaningful adventures, including two of my longest rope-solos on Dark Shadows Full (5.8+, IV, 1300') and Healy's Haunted House (5.8 X, III, 700'), and my first full 5.11a multi-pitch redpoint on Circus Maximus (5.11a, II, 685') with Bobbi. Other notables include a journey up the mighty Zar Wall (5.11c, III, 900') with @jordan.mabrey (not quite free for me), and a Vegas-classic five peak scrambling traverse over 11,533 foot Mummy Mountain known as "Mummy Head-To-Toe”.

Beyond the mountains, Bobbi and I celebrated our six year anniversary - and first as an engaged couple. We didn’t do anything special - just two days climbing, burritos, fireworks, and playing a game we call “Otters" in the hotel swimming pool (where we pretend to be otters and paddle around... it’s pretty simple). She singlehandedly makes life better in just about every way, especially in the heavy swells of summer work.

I’d say life is going well - rarely excellent or terrible, just well. And “well” is just fine by me for right now. The tides of life are fluid, grinding for goals feels good, and snowflakes aren't too far away.

Hope you're doing well too ❤️

📸 1-2: Mummy Traverse
📸 3: HHH, Rope Solo
📸 4: 6 years ❤️
📸 5-6: Zar Wall
📸 7: Circus Maximus, P5
📸 8: Goofin'
📸 9: Dark Shadows, Rope Solo, P10
📸 10: Tiny spider

#tenthousandtoofar #climbwithfriends #climbing taken in Bellagio Hotel & Casino by @brandon.wanthal

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2 months ago

From March 31st to June 4th I had two honest days off work. I use the word "honest" to represent a day without any work obligations - no packing, logistics, preparation or e-mails - the collateral associated with 60-80 hour six day work weeks in the field.

On each of those days my initial inspirations were towards performance rock climbing, as if learning nothing from last season, where I repeatedly pushed past exhaustion resulting in injuries and extreme burnout. This year my primary goal is establishing homeostasis between work and recreation - finding effective ways to build strength throughout the week, and using my limited time off to enjoy nourishing, less draining, iterations of fun.

So instead of flailing up desperate tips cracks wagering bone, tendon and sanity, I left itineraries for each day flexible, and resisted incorporating partners to detach from the rigidity of planning.

On May 17th I approached the monolithic Tahquitz Rock with a rope-solo kit and half dozen possible routes. Without any pressure of the day ahead I slept hard, awoke refreshed, and ended up completing a life dream to solo a summit route on Tahquitz, accomplished via The Long Climb, a 1957 Royal Robbins classic of burly chimneys and physical cracks. Because I was rope-soloing I had to climb every pitch twice, totaling 1,600 feet of exhausting, yet stunningly beautiful, pearly California granite - my longest rope solo to date.

Two weeks later I harnessed the same liberal energy, but diverted the medium to trail running. The original objective was Mount San Gorgonio (11,503'), Southern California's tallest peak. But much like wandering into my biggest rope-solo to date, I ended up on a spontaneous 21 mile ridge traverse, bagging four peaks guided solely by stoke and inspiration. I haven't been running much lately, so 5,100 vertical feet and 21 miles felt excitingly proud.

The lesson I learned from these two days was the power of lowering expectations, tapping into the guiding light which brought me to the mountains in the first place: fun and wonder.

I'm going to try this again 🌻

📸 1-5: The Long Climb, Tahquitz
📸 6-9: San Gorgonio Wilderness

#tenthousandtoofar taken in California by @brandon.wanthal

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4 months ago

One of the more rewarding parts of @ricky__bobbi and I’s new desert career is spending time in environments we never would have otherwise explored. Aside from obvious natural wonders like Joshua Tree, Red Rocks and the Grand Canyon, I find appreciating the Southwest desert benefits from deep immersion. Visit at any singular moment and high winds, torturous sun or dust storms may taint all future impressions. But take residence amidst the cacti and rattlesnakes, for weeks or months at time, and a symphony of resilient ecosystems and dynamic landscapes is revealed.

Unfortunately, I’m not disciplined about photographing anything other than skiing or climbing, and don’t carry my camera at work. Instead of animals and plants, here’s some slides from our last two months camping beneath clear desert skies. It’s funny how long sunsets and dusty lenses can give modern photos a vintage feel.

Above all else, I feel grateful to be on this journey with my beautiful one and only ❤️

Photos from the Mojave Desert, around the Tiefort Mountains, Mopah Range and Turtle Mountain Wilderness 🏜️

#mojavedesert #americansouthwest #landscapephotography #tenthousandtoofar taken in Mojave Desert by @brandon.wanthal

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5 months ago

On March 30th @ricky__bobbi and I started another relentless work block in the Mojave Desert. Given the poor Teton winter, we escaped early and scored a memorable three days climbing in Red Rocks. The weather was downright delightful, and we enjoyed three rad routes of the more adventuresome character.

The cult classic Community Pillar (5.8+, III) was the most unique and atypical route we’ve ever climbed, an unrelenting buffet of wide cracks and squeeze chimneys through the annals of Magic Mountain’s north face - a quintessential and pure traditional route that stands in contrast to the bolt happy utopia that is Red Rocks - no lead bolts, no fixed belays, some creaky stone, and an emphasis on blue collar rockcraft.

Norepinephrine (5.10b, III) was a diamond in the velvet (😉) - a unique five pitch variation to Epinephrine with four straight 5.10 pitches of wickedly exposed face and crack climbing on the knife’s edge arete of the Epinephrine chimneys.

And lastly, Group Therpay (5.7R, III) - a pleasant moderate ripper up the gorgeous Angel Food Wall. A particularly confounding squeeze chimney through an improbable square cut roof kept the adventure quotient high.

Red Rocks is quickly becoming our favorite place to climb. Damn, this place has everything. If you’re interested in any of these routes, topos and trip reports are on my website (link in bio 😊)

I’ve now worked 44 out of the last 50 days. These photos and words are my way of preserving memories, and sharing stoke for all my homies out there grinding. The best days are yet to come🌻

📸 1-8: Community Pillar
📸 9-12: Norepinephrine
📸 13-17: Group Therapy

#tenthousandtoofar #rockclimbing #tradclimbing by @brandon.wanthal

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5 months ago

2025/26 was the driest winter on record. The ice melted early, the snowpack was volatile, and good ski conditions were few and far between. But did we make the most of it? I’d say so.

The older I get, the more I gravitate towards shared experiences with good company over maniacally “ticking” objectives off the list. Furthermore, my risk tolerance is evolving. I have more to live for today than ever before. I never wanted to die in the mountains, nor truly wager my life, but a fuller cup makes it easier to recognize the implications of a spill.

I love my friends and our wonderful Teton Valley community that have made even the worst of winters so special. Thanks for the smiles, everybody ❤️

For @ricky__bobbi and I, next stop is the Mojave Desert. A long work block awaits. We’ll be home sometime… someday… but that doesn’t mean we love the Tetons any less.

Lastly, the privilege to live in a free country, with a roof over my head and food on the table, is not lost on me. If poor ski conditions, melting icicles, and rising gas prices are my worst problems in life, then I have it pretty damn easy. My heart aches for the active violence and oppression around the world as I write these very words.

Forever onward, forever upward. Until the snowflakes come again ❄️

@mikeparri
@jediahporter
@bayyesace
@noah_burbanc
@liilcarl

#tenthousandtoofar #gratitude #skimountaineering taken in Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem by @brandon.wanthal

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7 months ago

A week of East Coast family and friends time, interspersed with climbing gyms, sunny running, hiking, and hangboarding, has us less attached to winter - feeling the winds of change. While still hoping for a few good ski days, the desert is calling. Our work starts at the end of the month, and knowing there's cracks like these basking in 70 degree sun makes early departure extra appealing 🍊

Here's some recently developed shots from Fall 2025 in Joshua Tree - a mix of landscapes and portraits. This place is as rad as it is photogenic. If I had to choose one single pitch climbing destination for the rest of my life, it would be Joshua Tree.

Photos 3 & 6 shot by the lovely @ricky__bobbi ❤️ 📸 🥜

More words and photos on my website (link in bio)

#tenthousandtoofar #tradclimbing #joshuatree taken in Joshua Tree National Park by @brandon.wanthal

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7 months ago

2025 was my first year climbing in Red Rocks. Woven into a tenuous work schedule I sampled some two dozen multi-pitch adventures and countless single pitch routes. Red Rocks shines through variety, offering quality and abundance in every conceivable climbing style.

When it comes to trad climbing, the overwhelming Red Rocks ethic is safety. Most routes feature lead bolts whenever natural gear opportunities dry, and bolted anchors for easy retreat. Combined with stable weather and short approaches, you have a recipe for a very popular trad climbing venue.

Unlike the masses, I did not fall in love with Red Rocks' cozy, bolt-happy trad climbing. Shiny bolts next to perfect TCU placements seemed sacrilege, and eliminating runouts longer than 10 feet dulled my climbing experience. So when I discovered the "Adventure Punks" - an anti-establishment clique of 70's and 80's renaissance hardmen who established bold routes in the traditional style I was used to, I got excited.

The two dream routes of my Red Rocks season were Rock Warrior (5.10b R, 800') and Adventure Punks (5.10d, 550'). The former is a renowned psychological test in the rarefied discipline of ground-up traditional face climbing, with six straight R rated pitches up to 5.10b, none easier than 5.9, and consistent runouts up to 40 feet. The latter is a Teton-esque endurance journey of soaring sandstone flakes, cracks and corners, with five 5.10 pitches culminating in a flaring 5.10d off-width - and not a single lead bolt. I had the pleasure of leading and onsighting every pitch of Rock Warrior with @ricky__bobbi and @joyseward on November 9th, and swinging leads with @jediahporter on Adventure Punks a few days later. These wild routes provide equal opposition in the mental, physical and spiritual realms, separating climbing from standard sports where athletic prowess reigns solely supreme. When I climb routes like these, I return a different person.

The first 5 pictures are of Adventure Punks, and the last 5 of Rock Warrior. Write ups from both are on my website. They're among the finest climbs I've done, augmented by great friends. Given Idaho's dry winter, I'm itching to return.

#tenthousandtoofar taken in Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas by @brandon.wanthal

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8 months ago

Last week @ricky__bobbi and I spent eight days in Cody, Wyoming to celebrate our engagement and my 31st birthday. We climbed six days on, logging some 3,000 feet of ice and 50+ hours of movement. The South Fork Valley wilderness is romantic, rugged and raw. Most of the climbs are several hours from the car and defended by steep bushwhacking. Limited traffic makes for natural climbs without the hooks and established feet of popular venues like Hyalite Canyon. Volatile weather breeds brittle ice and atypical three-dimensional ice features. Everything about climbing in Cody is intense. After all, "the alpine simulator" is the area nickname.

We enjoyed a balanced mix of routes, from long moderate adventure climbs to testy single pitch pillars. Some of the highlights were tip-toeing up Sendero Illuminoso (WI4) in extremely thin conditions, a 75 minute (successful!) onsight battle with a virgin and heavily chandeliered Hunter Creek Falls (WI5), and a long 1,500 foot adventure quest up one of the "top ten ice routes of North America" - The Main Vein (WI3+, III, 1500').

We returned home sore, bleary and satiated, hearts swollen with gratitude. I'm so excited to marry such a tough and driven lady, and my top adventure partner. Who do you know that climbs six out of eight full days in the South Fork, up to WI5, in their second year ice climbing? I'm not sure if I could've... sanely.

For anyone curious, or heading to the South Fork soon, there's more words and pictures on my website (link in bio).

📸 1-2: Bozo's Revenge (WI3+, II)
📸 3: Sendero Illuminoso (WI4)
📸 4: Animal Rights Activist (WI4+)
📸 5: Hunter Creek Falls (WI5)
📸 6: Bobbi leading pitch four, Main Vein
📸 7: The 80 meter pitch five, Main Vein
📸 8: Shoshone crossing
📸 9: Crux pitch, Moonrise (WI5, II, 500')
📸 10: Too Cold to Fire (WI4, II, 300')

#iceclimbing #tenthousandtoofar taken in Wyoming by @brandon.wanthal

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8 months ago