Tips for a Brand New Climber?
Greetings,
I am in high school and I play lacrosse. However, I am looking to become more active and I am interested in rock climbing. I love the outdoors and outdoor activities, like hiking. I am wondering if perhaps you have any tips for a BRAND new climber. I am also kind of afraid of heights, is it unrealistic to try climbing? I am really looking into an outdoor activity to get in shape and be with nature. Also, I am a vegetarian who is looking to eat healthier and I am wondering if you have any healthy lunch ideas. Thanks so much!
Sincerely,
Julia
Dear Julia,
I don’t think being afraid of heights is necessarily a deal breaker for climbing. I’ve noticed there is a difference between exposure and being high on a wall. When you are in a high, exposed place with nothing around you, the sense of vertigo can be really intense. When you are climbing, with a wall in front of your face, the feeling of height is much less overwhelming. So maybe give it a try….this could even help to lessen your fears, just through being exposed to heights in a safe, controlled way.
You might also find that you really like trail running, because it’s a wonderful combination of fitness and time out in nature. I think some of my happiest times have been running on a beautiful trail, though it does take a couple of weeks to start having fun with running when you first start (but your lacrosse fitness could take the edge off of the startup phase).
One of my favorite quick lunches is leftover brown rice and vegetable stirfry rolled up in a sheet of nori (the flat seaweed sheets you use to make sushi rolls). You can buy packs of nori at most grocery stores in the Asian section. Or you can do the same thing with a tortilla or a lettuce leaf. If you don’t have any leftover stirfry or rice, try some almond butter and sliced banana in a tortilla.
I hope that helps!
Steph
Hi Julia
Plenty of my climbing friends have a fear of heights but they love climbing so much that they are often able overlook it to a certain degree by focusing on the movement and the rock rather than their fear.
Conversely I’m not afraid of heights but I’m also not beyond having to give myself some stern words when high up and feeling exposed with a disco leg!!
Have fun, don’t be too serious to start and see how it goes
Good luck!
thanks Georgina!
Julia, for me heights are always a struggle but it can be a great motivator – facing your fears head on. For me – I worked on gaining confidence. If I have confidence in my gear, abilities, belayer etc then I can focus on climbing. When I first started I found a certified rock guide and spent a few 1-on-1 weekends with him – learning the basics and techniques etc. This training was expensive but I could ask all the questions I wanted, practice all the anchors I wanted and I could back off of large climbs or rappels if I chose to. Although Ive done large multi-pitch climbs I still go back to very short climbs (>~75 feet) on days when I’m not feeling like dealing with the mental game of facing my height fears. I can easily have just as much fun on a 40 ft wall as on a 150 footer. Finding your comfort zone and pushing just beyond it, in a safe and educated way can build your confidence!
Thanks matt!