How to get over fear of lead climbing. The goal is not to get rid of the fear of falling.
How to get over fear of lead climbing. But the benefits of overcoming a fear of falling go beyond the emotional component. Some days if I'm stressed out too much I just freak and end my day early cause i'm not having fun. Common Fears in Climbing Fear is a natural response to a dangerous situation. Then climb up to the third bolt on an easy lead route and just hang for a bit. In this blog, we'll break down the essentials you need to know, from gear to techniques, to safely and confidently embark on your lead climbing adventures. I’ve been climbing for about a year now, mostly bouldering and the occasional top rope indoor climb. Climb harder routes. Apr 18, 2023 · Discover effective strategies for dealing with fear in climbing, from understanding different types of fear to building trust, mastering techniques, and employing mental tools to conquer anxiety on the rock. My problem is that I'm terrified of getting my foot caught in the rope and falling upside down. Join us on a unique climbing adventure in some of the world's most breathtaking locations! Connect with climbing legends and fellow climbers on retreats designed to elevate your skills, forge lasting bonds, and ignite your passion for climbing. Distract yourself from the fall. I've been lead climbing in the gym for 6 months and just started to lead outdoors. To climb your best, you must address your fear. When you’re climbing at your limit, about to make a big move, you will feel fear on some level. The best therapy was having a good belayer, someone you trust, who will push you to try your hardest and also give you a soft catch. Mar 13, 2025 · The first time I led a trad climb, I placed a cam blindly and immediately took an uncontrolled, fearless, and absolutely exhilarating fall. Think topping 10's to 11- consistently, but lead climbing 5 to 7's. I’ve laid out a series of seven lessons taken from the recent online course I did with Climbing called Overcome Your Fear of Falling. It also effected my climbing ability because I was nervous. 1st check motivation: best to be motivated to WANT to practice falling, not to get over the fear. etc, the fear of ladders is not explicitly named. You can overcome this fear of stairs with the help of psychotherapies. Jun 9, 2025 · How to Overcome Fear of Heights: A Guide to Conquering Acrophobia Fear of heights, or acrophobia, can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to control your life. At its most extreme, it ends a climb, resulting in a panicky shout of “Take!” or a premature drop-down from a boulder, the climber too scared to press on. How do we work on my partners fear of falling? I do not expect this to happen over night. I'm reasonably comfortable taking moderate or long falls as long as they're clean, and I know I'd get very comfortable quickly with such falls if I started climbing more on a rope. Going up 4-5 rungs is fine but after the 6th rung a wave of fear starts rushing over me. The goal is not to get rid of the fear of falling. A goal for me is to climb outside, and possibly mountains. To get started or learn more about your options, get in touch with Climb Above Fear today. For a new climber on a top rope it may feel exhilarating and very scary, yet in actuality Are you afraid of heights or afraid of falling? This article shares seven important tips to overcome the fear of falling. Sep 21, 2022 · Nowadays, falling is as integral to climbing as climbing itself. In 6 progressive steps we go from top-rope falls to climbing hard on lead. Oct 16, 2019 · We are all on our own journeys getting over this (pretty rational!) fear of falling and injuring ourselves. Pushing yourself through fear is a skill. Read our ultimate guide here. But here’s the good news: fear of falling Leading definitely requires a different head space than top roping, a bit of an adjustment phase is normal. Jul 8, 2024 · Time to get you on the sharp end! This clinic is designed for intermediate climbers that want to get into lead climbing. I started out pretty scared too. I’ve done graded falls and it seems I do better when I climb at or just above my grade. See full list on climbinghouse. So I guess I have a few questions… This can lead the second climber to fall, which can be fatal. Oct 12, 2022 · After a near-death climbing experience, I was inspired to dig deeper into the psychology of fear and learn about its effect on performance, how it wells up in the first place, and what we can do to deal with it. It’s instinctual, embedded deep in your animal brain, to fear falling from height. Apr 16, 2025 · So in this blog, I’m sharing everything I learned about how to overcome the fear of lead climbing so you can stop feeling nervous and start feeling like a badass on the sharp end of a rope. Dec 12, 2023 · By incorporating these mental techniques into your climbing routine, you’ll be better equipped to conquer your limits, push past fear, and reach new heights in your climbing journey. It was the unknown that was holding me back bouldering and leading. Sep 28, 2022 · If you do manage to make it a hobby, climbing could hold the key to overcoming your acrophobia for good! If your fear of heights is holding you back from even attempting climbing, the best solution is to seek the advice of a professional therapist. I enjoy lead climbing and my goal is leading outside during summer. taking a huge wanger on a bolt feels very low risk compared to on small gear for me. Nov 22, 2021 · How to Overcome Climbing Fears Climb for Fun. Lead climbers encounter sharp rocks that might cause injury. Aug 30, 2018 · Fear is basically impossible to get rid of, and it’s completely natural. I haven't been able to finish routes that I know I'm capable of, due to the fear. When we go lead climbing or bouldering, we inherently risk falling, too. If you don't fear falling, you can enjoy your position, shake out and relax on good holds, clip gear without fumbling and revel in a sense of achievement when you reach the belay. Even go back to that 5. Let's conquer those heights together! Jun 23, 2024 · For example, some climbers may have a fear of falling or losing control while climbing, which can lead to heightened anxiety when faced with heights. Any tips on the transition from gym to crag? Edit: Thank you all! Jul 20, 2023 · We’ve developed a mental training plan that outlines the knowledge and skills you’ll need to improve your climbing performance. After May 8, 2023 · Conquer your fear of falling in climbing! Learn how to understand, practice safe falls, and shift your mindset for a more confident climb at BKB. One of the best ways to get over that fear is to…climb steep routes with crimpy holds. What Is the Fear of Ladders Called? While climacophobia deals with the fear of climbing any sort of surface be it stairs, ladders, walls, rock walls. My partner and I used to fall at the top of every gym climb just to get over the fear of falling. However, we don’t have to let our fear of falling impact our climbing. I took a few controlled drops leading, and a few slips bouldering, l realised that i knew how to fall safely and it wasnt that big of a deal. It was worse in my mind, so i needed to experience it. If you struggle with the fear of falling while lead climbing, join Sandy Morris for the Zen Of Falling Workshop on Wednesday January 10th at 7:00 pm at FA Avondale! For most climbers, there is no greater feeling than attempting a new route, journeying into The Strong Mind course is our flagship programme for fear management in climbing. This goes back to what others are saying about practicing falling. Jun 15, 2022 · Unless you have a specific fear of heights, your fear of falling can be overcome and you’ll be climbing the walls in no time. Aug 21, 2024 · Overcome your fear of heights with our helpful articles on how to confidently climb a ladder. There is a wonderful feeling of freedom when you can run it out above gear, climbing as hard as you can, totally consumed by the moves. Leading is balls achingly scary, but my falls are more meaningful with regards to breaking my fear. Why do you enjoy climbing? Set Goals with Intention. Nov 22, 2021 · Is lead climbing safer than top rope? Safe. Fear of Falling is real, and the only way to get passed it is by acknowledging your fear and doing Apr 20, 2025 · Understanding Fear of Falling (and How to Work With It) Falling is a natural part of climbing—but let’s be real: it can feel terrifying. Even though you know how to climb, a refresher might be nice to get that confidence to fall. She is known for her bold ascents, and was the first woman to climb a British trad route at E9, sport climb 8c and free El Capitan in Yosemite. I have great memories of that summer; 2019 was the season I began pushing myself on lead, ticked new grades, and fully dived into the climbing life. Aug 10, 2023 · Learn how to lead climb like a pro by mounting your own quads, clipping ropes and bolts and mastering your fear of heights. Falling can be learned – and so can overcoming our fear of falling while climbing. Jun 5, 2025 · Learn why climbers fear falling and how to overcome it with expert psychological tools from Dr Kate Baecher. Then gradually get higher and higher. What I found will take your climbing to the next level—and could save your life. A traumatic accident involving a fall, injury or death may cause this specific phobic disorder. I know what I need to do and know I can physically pull off the climb, but mentally struggle, and thus "take" a lot of times. If you want to get past this, I recommenc taking TONS of lead falls. When you climb scared – as you do when you have a fear of falling – it’s all too easy to overgrip and move mechanically, habits which quickly rob you of energy and bring on a Jan 30, 2024 · How to Overcome Fear of Heights in Rock Climbing: A Comprehensive Guide Are you an aspiring rock climber struggling with a fear of heights? Overcoming this fear is crucial to fully enjoying the thrilling experience of rock climbing. e. First, let’s clarify Jun 23, 2018 · Are you intimidated by the height of the bouldering wall? You start gripping the holds harder than needed? Your palms start sweating more than usual? Check out the video to learn how to conquer Apr 7, 2022 · Fear of falling can hold us back just as much as physical weaknesses. I top rope 7a/7a+ but only lead about 6A/B. Learn proven strategies, therapy methods, and self-help tools to start overcoming it today. Climbing crimps on overhung routes can be really intimidating if you’ve never done it. When I was learning to lead, our instructor told us about a game called Bang. You can start taking some falls while the bolt is still over your waist so it's basically a top-rope. Stairs exist in many places, making them hard to avoid. When talking about physical danger, there is perceived risk and actual risk. When I lead, I tend to over-grip because the fear factor is higher. Jan 4, 2024 · Download Your Free e-book: "How to Maximize Your First Year of Climbing" - the guide I wish I had when I started:https://www. I’d much rather learn about how to top rope climb outside before getting into lead climbing, I guess that might be a personal preference? Idk. Falling over and over again in a safe and controlled scenario is a great way to help build up your tolerance for the action. Fear of falling has its uses, to be sure – but for climbers, it can hold us back from what we want to achieve. Build confidence, prepare physically and mentally, and manage fear in the moment. Basically, your belayer can yell "Bang!" at any time and you have to just let go of the rock. You'll learn how to work with fear of falling, fear of heights and exposure, social fears, fear of failure and performance anxiety. But, the best thing about it is there are solutions available which can lead you to ultimately overcome the fear and replace it with confidence to do the climbing activity. Sometimes we hear that it’s not just the overhangs that are hard to overcome, it’s climbing crimps on overhangs (as if climbing overhangs wasn’t hard enough!). I actually stopped lead climbing for months because I hated the anxiety of pumping out and whipping on a route. You may be afraid of falling down a set of stairs or a steep incline. Until they lose their fear of falling, most It might be helpful to take a lead climbing/belay class just to meet other people to climb with and to practice getting comfortable falling. etc. You don't have to go that severe with it though. Fear of Falling often prevents climbers from getting the most out of their current If left unattended to, or untreated this phobia has the tendency to get even worse. Dave has always had a crippling fear of falling on lead for years. This week she advises on how to get over the fear of climbing and get involved. Dec 4, 2021 · So begin with stacks of toproping to boost your immunity to fear, then do stacks of leading. Aug 1, 2022 · Falling training when it's the first time you are on a rope is not what people usually show for overcoming fear of lead climbing! Mar 1, 2023 · Conclusion Learning how to overcome fear of heights climbing is completely necessary if you fear heights. Build confidence and unlock your climbing potential. . Mar 22, 2022 · Bathmophobia is a fear of stairs. Why it’s important to overcome the fear of falling The fear of falling is one of the greatest challenges faced by new climbers, but the benefits of overcoming this natural instinct are immense. I have this fear of lead falls stuck in my head now that I can't seem to get over. It covers everything you need to know about managing fear across lead climbing, top-roping, bouldering and trad. Here, we talk about the science of fear and how to tackle it. 3rd pay attention: focus attention on exhaling throughout fall, looking down into fall zone, and proper fall posture: arms Jan 20, 2024 · Fear of falling can be a serious hinderance to climbing performance. I’m really having trouble getting over the fear of falling with lead. Falling Falling is an integral part of climbing, and it’s essential that you get comfortable taking lead falls once you’re learned how to clip safely. I have done a little leading indoors, but only really easy stuff. There are a number of dangers that come with lead climbing, from ground-falls and back-clipping to Z-clips and rope-behind-the-leg flips. In this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with effective strategies and techniques to conquer your fear and build your confidence in scaling great heights Feb 20, 2020 · Get hands-on learning straight from Arno Ilgner in Climbing’s online video-course series Overcome Your Fear of Falling. Typically when I get halfway a route I tend to freeze up and hit a mental block. There's a lot of info about how to get over fear of falling Apr 4, 2022 · Fear of falling affects everyone, even the pros. Crucially, I didn’t yet appreciate the consequences of climbing falls. It’s instinct. How can I get over the fear of being above the clip, I have a feeling it's just going for it and not thinking but does anyone have any tips that helped them get over the fear? Nov 22, 2021 · How do I get over my fear of lead climbing? Just a few standard things that didn’t get mentioned above: Make sure you recognize the difference between panic and fear. By learning how to better deal with our fears, the idea of falling doesn’t get in the way of sending our project or enjoying our days at the crag or in the gym any Nov 21, 2022 · If you are afraid of lead climbing, you should NOT start with lead falling training. We will cover racking options, communication, rope management, gear placements, belaying a second, organization, and transitions. And it also inhibits proper climbing form when it kicks in. Does anyone have any advice on how to work on this? It feels like it’s awfully soon in our journey to start thinking about lead climbing, but maybe that’s just me, the over cautious, over prepared, learner. When first starting out, a lot of people are taught how to follow proper safety precautions and taught proper technique but they don’t quite understand exactly which dangers they’re mitigating by using said techniques. Nov 22, 2021 · Is there a phobia for ladders? Climacophobia, or the fear of the act of climbing, is a relatively unusual phobia. Practice taking bigger and bigger falls, with at least one fall just outside of your comfort zone every time you train. Gain the knowledge and techniques needed to conquer your fears and improve your ladder safety. I think most fear in lead climbing comes from not knowing what could go wrong. In therapy, before we start the exposure process, we would create a list of feared stimuli. How do I get over my fear of falling while lead climbing? I did my first ever outdoor lead climb yesterday and I was terrified of falling. And even when leading at a much lower level I would still often quickly top it, paying attention to where my hands would be Jun 30, 2023 · Lead climbing outdoors is a scary step for a beginner climber, but I found there were a number of ways to work around the fear. As soon as I get a little high up I get very tense, because I am afraid of falling, of getting hurt, or that my belaying partner won’t catch me. Work it until you can fire the route on muscle memory. After climbing for a year and a half I still get scared on the first climb then it starts to go away. The above is good for combating fear, not so much for panic. First get up on a toprope and just push off the wall as hard as you can over and over to get comfortable swinging around. Sep 16, 2018 · One of the most difficult parts of climbing is overcoming a fear of heights with rock climbing. I really like rock climbing so I tried to suppress it. After a few bigger falls it won't bother A Quick Introduction into the rather complex Topic of Fear of Falling, Fall Training and Dynamic Belaying. But you can make it more comfortable, trust your belayer completely is the easiest way, make note of the features on the rock to reassure yourself that you will be safe if you fall, and lastly take practice falls. This is a list that covers all parts of this fear. This will be a mini-guide on how to overcome fear and anxiety for lead c How to get over fear of lead climbing?Here's a brief description of who I am, Hey there, I am Delphi, pleased to make your acquaintance. 9 trad routes you can, and then move on to more difficult climbs … you get the idea. I think we can all agree that we would like to lead near or at our physical We only do indoor top-rope climbing so far. The fear of height prevents so many people from experiencing the joy and happiness of doing this sport. How to train your brain was a main Jul 12, 2023 · Fear of falling is one of the greatest obstacles in climbing. 8 then 5. com Jan 25, 2021 · In this video we show you our approch to conquer fear in lead climbing. Sit in your harness as much as possible. Lead climbing is hazardous and should only be done by experienced climbers. Feb 1, 2023 · Like most climbing fears, the best way to get over a fear of falling or to rationalize with yourself enough to basically get over it is to do it. without bodily hurt or excessive panic attacks). At the same time, it creates fear that you must address correctly—and you must learn proper falling technique in order to fall safely. Why overcome a fear of falling? You might think that the answer is obvious – You don’t want to fear falling anymore. AND make sure belayer is giving proper soft catch, moving about 6 feet up to cushion your impact. Holding back all types of climbers: trad climbers, sport climbers, and boulders. Being afraid to fall is hardwired into every climber, but in this comprehensive course Ilgner gives specific drills to push past this evolutionary limitation. She coaches on mindset, resilience, and fear in Dec 19, 2017 · The fear of falling is common — but you can get past it with the right mental training tools and support from your climbing community. Here's the complete guide to trusting yourself. Aug 24, 2023 · Learn how to overcome your fear of exposure while climbing with practical tips and techniques. Fast forward six years and, thanks Trad climbing a lot has pretty much eliminated any fear I get sport climbing, (except falling on ledges tbh, still shit my pants on high moves over ledges). It is known as a specific phobia, just like acrophobia, a fear of heights, as well as bathmophobia, a fear of stairs and slopes. Additionally, negative self-talk or limiting beliefs about one’s abilities can further reinforce this fear. There are whole books on this, and getting over fear of falling is mostly making sure that you get exposure to good falls. A lot of us started climbing to get over mental barriers and fear of heights etc, most people will understand the challenge and give you props and respect for pushing yourself. Fear goes hand in hand. Sport climbing is the joy of reaching highpoints, getting to know our I have been climbing for about six years but only really been top roping. But even in limited amounts, fear of falling causes stress and tension, resulting in over-gripping and reduced mental clarity when trying to execute a tough move. 2nd small steps: short toprope falls, longer toprope falls, short lead falls. I recently got sick and had to take some time off climbing, the result was when I did get back outside my lead head was totally gone. You could also ask this person to have their hand on your end of the rope as a back-up brake. Acknowledge Fear. If you climb with a rope you need to watch this video. I learned to lead climb and got my lead card the day before a big lead competition, and I found it was really hard to commit 100% on moves or clipping while I was about to fall. When I started lead climbing about 5 months in the fear came back in a big way. Feb 4, 2020 · Aren't they afraid to fall at all? After coaching many people on how to overcome the fear of falling, I'm sharing my best tips and tricks. I'm mainly an indoor boulderer but I sport climb sometimes. The biggest thing is falling safely, and I agree that whipper therapy is the best. What rope can hold human weight? Is lead climbing harder than top rope? How do I get over my fear of lead falls? How do I get over my fear of falling lead climbing? What is a fall factor 5? Do climbing ropes ever break? When should I retire my climbing rope? The old way in climbing was just that you needed to take lead falls until you stopped being scared of it, but that’s not going to work if a lead fall triggers panic in you. If you're eager to get off the top rope and explore the world of lead climbing, you've come to the right place. 10 that spooked you and toprope the bejeezus out of it. Then climb up a step and fall on toprope, incrementally working up to like 5 foot toprope falls. Whether you’re a beginner on your first lead route or a seasoned climber pushing your limit, the fear of falling is one of the most common mental roadblocks in climbing. For some reason my fear of ladders is getting worse every time I go up, in the beginning I wasn't even thinking about falling, but then one day I climbed up to the roof and almost fell, and it's rattled me since. movementforclimbers. Nov 12, 2022 · If you have a fear of falling on lead when you are climbing outdoors, try this strategy. Then climb up a bit and take a few falls. The problem I face is commitment to the moves; I just can't get over that fear of falling. As a lead climber, learn how to manage the rope, to communicate with your belayer and how to position yourself before and during a fall. Let me assist you in I would like to hear your stories for inspiration or hear your advice about how to beat the fear of falling in lead climbing. Try to work on some dynamic problems so you get used to popping off the wall Jul 9, 2018 · Is your fear of heights holding you back from tackling sweet alpine scrambles and difficult 14ers? Try these 11 mind tricks to conquer fear of falling. Seeing as that would need her to climb lead, I would really like to take steps towards her being comfortable doing this. Mar 20, 2020 · Get hands-on learning straight from Arno Ilgner in Climbing’s online video-course series Overcome Your Fear of Falling. I got over it by top roping only as long as was necessary to learn to lead climb (once a week for 8 weeks) and now I only lead climb or boulder. more Aug 3, 2022 · The science behind fear and expert tips for how to overcome being afraid when it prevents you from succeeding on the rock. Lead all the 5. Top roping isn’t fool-proof and you can still get hurt, but it’s often more safe than lead climbing. Some of us experience it more intensely than others, and that's okay! How can I overcome a fear of heights? So I started bouldering a few weeks ago because I wanted to get more comfortable with heights. It is not to be ignored, it is a healthy sense of self preservation. We did this on some easier routes a few times and it really helps you get over that fear of suddenly falling. It’s not weakness. Sports psychologist and climber Madeleine Eppensteiner shares her tips for overcoming the fear of falling on sport climbs. If you don’t, you still need to watch this video beca Apr 9, 2019 · Keep calm and climb on. If you can learn to push yourself through the fear of something else (possibly unrelated to climbing) you will have increased "mental strength" to do this for climbing. com/free-ebo You could ask someone experienced to watch you as you belay and give you feedback. A popular method to overcame fear in lead climbing is so called "fall training" where the climber is asked to climb some distance above a bolt or a bomber wire and then letting go, taking a safe fall that ends well (i. This gets better the more I climb, but if I skip a week it's as if I hit the reset button and have to start all over. It is great that you take lead belaying seriously and care about your climbing partners’ safety! For me, to get over my fear of falling, i had to fall. I've been climbing for a while and in bouldering I can give my all and try hard but in lead I struggle on routes way below my level. Being afraid to take a big whipper can prevent you from sending your project, reaching your goal grades, and limits you in more ways than you may think. There are different types of fear and they should be responded to accordingly. Welcome to climbing. As a professional athlete who’s been climbing for more than 20 years, I know how tough it can be to manage fear when you’re on a wall. Choose goals that fit your passion. What has anyone done to get used to the feeling and not being scared any more? Lead climbing is scary as shit, can't get past that. Making falling OK gives me more confidence and helps me use the minimum amount of effort to climb the route. Mar 11, 2013 · Ky Delaney fields questions from our readers on outdoor sports. I've been coming back to it every so often trying to get over this hurdle, but have been unsuccessful. Dec 11, 2024 · Learn how to overcome the fear of falling in climbing with practical strategies and mental techniques. How to Conquer Your Fear of Lead Climbing What to Do if You Feel Scared While Lead Climbing Tips for Beginner Lead Climbers Who Are Afraid of Heights Here are a few tips to help you get started Dec 19, 2024 · Lead climbing is an exhilarating sport that challenges both your physical abilities and mental focus. I've seen a general improvement to my climbing ability over the past few weeks, but I've mostly been doing traverse problems or the bottom half of the tall ones! Heights and falling are central to rock climbing—yet they're also quite frightening. When I first got into lead rope I was doing things a solid 5 grades lower than what I could top. When you get to toproping, leading, trad, etc you will have to repeat the process over and over again. rjrexcaiatgoektkpvzhjmsvokprdftjqkffqjxqsriyylimfjruijiwcuspb