I'm very afraid of rock climbing and have to do it on the 26th. How do I get over this fear?

Question

I just can't say "no" because the whole trip I'm supposed to be going on is rock climbing

Answer 1

let someone else go first......

dont look down too much....

never panic.....

Answer 2

The bad news is, you can't "get over this fear." As a 5 year climbing vet, let me tell you, that isn't going to happen. The best advice I can give you is the advice an Outward Bound Climbing instructor gave to me "Of course you are scared! If you say you aren't scared your first time, you're either lying or stupid." Rock climbing is a scary thing, it really is. Even an experienced climber will look down every now and then and get a tiny twing of fear.



The GOOD news is this: Once you get on the rock, and get the first 10-20 feet out of the way, you will be too busy focusing on the physical effort it takes to climb to be scared! You will, to put it simply, "forget to be scared." And when you get to that point, you will have SO much fun, you will want to do it again (But don't be surprised if the fear returns after the climb, that is normally, too).



Good luck on the 26th, and remember: Don't look down. ;-)

Answer 3

If you don't want to climb, then don't go. Chances are, if you go with a bad attitude towards climbing, then you will hate it, and be scared of it for the rest of your life. Try climbing at an indoor gym first and see if that helps with the whole fear thing. Gyms are a very safe and controlled environment, and should help you get aquainted with basic techniques, as well as the whole "scared of heights" thing. If you can't make it to the gym, and are committed to your trip, well, just try to keep an open mind. See if your partners can start you off on something easy. Attempting a difficult route as a novice will only frustrate and potentially scare the crap out of you. Just be sure the people you are going with are competent, and the gear you use is in nothing less than tip-top shape. Climbing is a relatively safe sport, but there is some risk involved. The key to having fun, and staying alive, is minimizing that risk. Again, be sure the people you are going with are SAFE! I was fifteen the first time I climbed and it scared the hell out of me. But I ended up loving it.

Answer 4

I'm a frequent rock climber and all the gear you are using should at least hold 1000Lb and and the people your climbing with are probably good belays the most deadly part of climbing is rappelling and that is very very safe! and the most dangerous part is bouldering in which climbing at low heights with no rope in which most commonly you break your ankle so over all unless you way a ton (literal not figurative) so you are going to be perfectly safe remember when you are coming down be nice to your belayer and lean back and don't be scarred. you want to keep your arms straight if you don't your arms will get tiered and you wont finish the climb and don't make the same mistake as me and be a wussy about falling. don't be scarred you will be fine!!!

Answer 5

go to an indoor wall and get some practise first, pay for a lesson. they will help you gain confidence and trust the rope.



Once you see you are safe, you will feel happier.



Ignore the wikipedia rubbish, all forms of climbing you will doing, WILL be safe. either bottom / top roping or following someone else up.



Not looking down does avoid the height thing, but it is much better to look at your feet each time you move, that way you can place them in the best place, this means your legs do the work and keeps your arms there purely for balance and gentle pulling. Not hanging off them!!

Answer 6

Fear and conquering fear is all part of the fun. You will get over it once you get used to climbing. I'm an experienced climber and I even get the jitters if I've gone a while without climbing. You need to do it regularly to get over the fear.



In the end, you accept the risk (you've already convinced yourself it's perfectly safe, which it is) and forget your fear. Push it from your mind and then you will be able to climb uninhibited. Just focus on the task at hand. Breathe and clear your mind of any negative thoughts.

Answer 7

I'm not sure that there is any specifc way to get over a fear like this.



My only advice is to stay calm and trust your gear. Modern rock climbing equipment is designed with a significant margin of safety.



Ropes are rated to over 12 kN. Without getting into physics, that means it can hold more than 2700lbs before breaking.



Your harness is similarly designed. The loop on the front (belay loop) is typically rated to 14 kN (3150 lbs)



Trust the gear, try to relax, and above all, remember to breathe.

Answer 8

Practice putting on a harness and tying in. Find out whether you will be top-roping or following a leader. Learn what your knots should look like and then make sure they look good when you climb. Climbing, especcially top-roping, is pretty safe. If you have some idea what you are going to be doing and how to avoid accidents, you can relax and enjoy it. Check out the basics section on the Wikipedia climbing page.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_climbing

Answer 9

When climbing dont look down, only face wats in front of you and slightly above you. Just keep climbing and while your climbing keep your mind on other things to. Before you climb, dont over think it, just do it, without thinking about it at all, you'll have a blast! Hope I was able to help, have fun!

Answer 10

Rock climbing is REALLY fun, especially outdoors but indoors is cool too. The main thing is to have someone you trust belaying you cuz if you fall, you know they'll be holding you.

Answer 11

Fear and exhilaration are the same thing - the only difference is your attitude to it. That's why people enjoy doing apparently dangerous things.



Tell yourself you're not frightened of rock climbing and that the adrenaline rush it gives you is fantastic. (I've just convinced myself - can I come too?)

Answer 12

just trust in the wall.. you cannot fall



think of it as fun. dare to be dangerous.. but you cannot fall... if you think your going to fall your not, dont even be scared to step in a stop that isnt a great hold.. it will hold you, even the smallest bump will hold you..



use your legs to climb and your hands for balance, otherwise your arms will get tired out too fast

Answer 13

If its a course there will be professionals there who are really used to working with novices, and will help make you feel relaxed and OK about doing it. We all feel a little fear thats OK. If its with friends I'd just say no!



Hope you enjoy it.

Answer 14

okay well don't try and do it by just climbing because thats what i did and i had to get talked down, if it's a fear of heights you have your gonna have to break yourself in and fast, just go up high places look down and don't fall.

Answer 15

there are very few things you HAVE TO DO in this life.

Answer 16

Blimey rather you than me!!!!

I'm sure you will be fine.