It happens almost every time. At the beginning of an Inner Passage weekend-long climbing expedition, at least one of the several participants who have never climbed before arrives with so much nervous energy that they can’t decide whether this new adventure makes them want to return home or simply break down and cry. This is understandable. Climbing up the side of a mountain can seem like a very scary thing to do.
On the first day of one of these expeditions, I take my students through the necessary steps of tying their harness, belaying their partner so that the partner can climb more safely with a counterweight on the ground, and the various fundamentals of climbing itself—such as using the leverage of footholds to lift the body instead of depending on upper body strength to make the ascent. Invariably, the newbies calm down. Invariably, everyone has a good time.
What would happen if we didn’t do this preparation and instead simply started climbing on the first day? Even if their harness didn’t unravel, even if their partner never fell and therefore never needed the protection of being effectively belayed, and even if they never once made a misguided step, they would likely still be nervous as they made their way up the mountain. Their mind would wander, they would feel greater fear and trepidation, and they would have a far more tense and anxious time of it all. Of course, they would be at much greater personal risk of hurting themselves as well. It is only when my students are properly grounded in the fundamentals of climbing that they will ever leave the ground at all.
This concept of grounding ourselves can be related not just to rock climbing, but to any endeavor we pursue that carries with it risk and an uncertain outcome. When pursuing an endeavor with the intention of fulfilling a sense of self-discovery, be it going on a weekend climbing adventure, starting a business, writing a novel, or anything else, we must first learn the fundamentals of whatever we’re setting out to do. We must learn how to belay, how to complete a profit and loss statement, or how to introduce conflict that moves our story forward. Though the safety of other endeavors may not depend upon the proper tying of harnesses, any pursuit in which we are uncertain of its outcome carries with it a higher level of risk. Whether or not we surmount that risk depends on whether or not we ground ourselves in knowledge before we begin.
Being grounded will make it a much more enjoyable climb.
Curious about our climbing camps and how adventure compliments your personal and professional development? We have one space remaining for our Joshua Tree Climbing Camp, Oct – 3 – 5. You can find more info here or feel free to give us a call at 520-360-1465 or email Matt at matt@innerpassage.net – our camps are perfect for beginners!
