Posted by Baldran Any other acrophobic explorers here who've managed to conquer their fear of heights in pursuit of awesome summits? Share your stories! There's a bridge I cross every day that would be super easy to climb, if I weren't deathly afraid of heights due to a childhood accident.
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Fear is normal and healthy to a point.
It's you friend never let it become your master because it is a poor leader.
When fear breaks your concentration or paralyzes you, it is more than useless; it's a danger in it's self.
Take a leap of faith...
I did when I was 6 yo and some of the older boys dare me to climb a tree they had nailed climbing boards up about 20 feet. After I got to the end of the climbing boards I kept going another 15 feet or so, to their alarm.
Lol, dare yourself and excel.
I've been climbing over half a century and never have fallen once. This is doable.
The blackhawk High Anxiety Slam Dunk Coarse Fall off the horse... get back on, Pilgrim, and don't make the same mistake.
Don't play games with yourself... DO IT.
You can't fall if you don't fuck up.This is all about personal confidence/integrity and being in physical shape.
You need strong legs.
You should be able to do at least 8 chin ups in strict form.
You should not be fat or obese; a big liability.
You need to have enough anaerobic endurance reserve to complete the climb safely.
3 points of contact always.
Each handhold and foot fall count, make sure they are spot on every time as you make contact.
With 3 points of contact you have redundancy, but it's a fail safe.
It's for a foot slip etc that shouldn't ever happen.
With 2 points you have no redundancy, don't.
Keep your eyes and mind on what exactly what you're doing with your feet and hands when climbing.
Bug out if at anytime it isn't safely doable.
Never jump even if it's just the last 2 feet to the ground. Maintain control the whole climb.
Best to always keep a hand hold, elbow or knee lock even when resting at height.
Walking on beams is easier, but even 18 inches doesn't seem wide enough 70 feet up. Walking with no handhold is dangerous but doable if you wish.
Always take small steps; more stability.
Or just go across on your ass... whatever works safely.
Climb uncaged tank straight ladders by putting your hands on the outside rails, not the rungs. A side to side motion with your upper body makes it easy.
NEVER climb wet steel.
NEVER play on steel.
NEVER climb when sick, injured or fatigued.
NEVER climb in high wind or foul weather.
Best to do it in daylight... go slow as needed at night.
Wear high top laced boots, long legged pants.
Climbing in soft soled shoes can fuck up the arch area of the foot, don't!
Have climbing gloves suitable for steel climbing.
*Water tanks are an easy first climb and excellent for developing strength/endurance and confidence.