Click here to listen: eLesson_2012-0402
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What if the rope breaks? What if my protection fails? What if I fall? What if my belayer doesn’t give me a proper catch when I fall? What if the climbing is too difficult for me?
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Asking such questions tends to shut down the climbing process. The biggest mistake we make is not asking such “what if?” questions, but rather not answering them. The answers will hi-light the full consequence. Then we can investigate what actions we can take to mitigate the consequence.
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What if my rope breaks? Well, I’ll fall to the ground and either injure or kill myself. So, to mitigate that outcome I can check my rope.
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What if my protection fails? Well, I’ll fall twice as far as I expected to. So, to mitigate that outcome I can retreat if the gear isn’t solid or I can double up my protections placements.
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What if I fall? Well, I’ll fall 20 feet and hit a ledge. So, to mitigate that outcome I can place more protection or retreat if I can’t place more protection.
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What if my belayer doesn’t give me a proper catch? Well, I will be short-roped and slam into the rock harder. So, to mitigate that outcome I can train my belayer to give a cushioned catch.
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What if the climbing is too difficult for me? Well, I will fall. So, to mitigate that outcome I can practice falling so I know how to respond to falls.
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What if I ask a “what if?” question and don’t answer it? Well, you’ll be shut down on a route. So, to mitigate that outcome, answer the question.
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I like very much this article. It remind me about many climbs when I was afraid without knowing why. Thank you!
Seems so simple when you put it like that. You remind me that I should be compassionate with myself when I ask these sorts of questions. With practice I might even be more compassionate to others when they ask “what if”
My what if sadlys a bit befor yours, darnded it: what if i stay overweight and fat forevermore? (it embarasing to even think of the climbing crowd!) At my 59 age, I can’t have the starting demeanor befor whatever, – that keeps all harder and seemingly out of reach, now, unlike say age 22…