The girl stood on tip toe on the narrow knobbly rock, one hand holding on for dear life, the other reaching for the ledge above. The ground plummeted some 5 metres below. Her friend holding the ropes sat not far above her, urging her on. She had about one metre left to climb. She just … Continue reading Your dreams are waiting
Rock climbing
Overcoming self-doubt when ice climbing
“Let’s do this cool gully,” said Richard, discussing the Sunday adventure plans in the Lake District, while sizing up his crampons and ice axes. We were still in the cosy confines of the hut, nursing hangovers and savouring strong coffee, yet I was absolutely terrified of climbing a wall of ice with just some spikey … Continue reading Overcoming self-doubt when ice climbing
Rock climbing over the ocean
Me at the Cattle Troughs, Swanage I was positively sure I was going to die. Tears streamed down my face, my body shook uncontrollably. “I can’t do this,” I heard myself repeat over and over as my self-doubt loomed. But, against the self-preserving urge, I took a deep, shuddering breath, grasped the rope, pushed my … Continue reading Rock climbing over the ocean
Rock climbing at Harrison’s Rocks
Harrison's Rocks I’m strapped into a harness clinging onto the side of a rock face like a barnacle stuck to the hull of a boat. One piece of rope, my trusty belayer and my adrenaline-fuelled muscles are all that are keeping me from falling to certain death. (Ok maybe just a broken leg or two … Continue reading Rock climbing at Harrison’s Rocks
Cultivating a growth mindset
Being new to rock climbing is never going to be easy. But to fail what should have been a relatively easy grade 4 climb – that I’d already climbed, I might add – is beyond annoying. In response, I did what a lot of people would do – I sulked, stomped about, pulled faces, made … Continue reading Cultivating a growth mindset