IMAF Adventure Fourm
40 years,
4 years ago
10 PRO TIPS TO MAKE YOUR MOUNTAINEERING ASPIRATION COME TRUE
1. BELIEVE IN YOUR DREAMS
If you got to do it, you got to take the first step. Go, tell it to someone you trust, find a friend who shares the passion, reach out to the local adventure clubs and register. The more you start mingling with like-minded people, the sooner you’ll initiate. And, don’t worry your first peak need not be big, try starting small. Maybe just a trek could kick start things for you. Success belongs to those who believe in the power of their dreams. It doesn’t come to you; you need to go get it.
2. GOOD HEALTH IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS
So, you are mentally strong and passionate about climbing? But, if your physical health does not match up to your mental resolve, you are bound to fail. So be physically strong. Eat right, sleep well and train hard. You should take special care of your hands and skin - the key contact points while climbing. Maintain dry fingers, nimble hands, no nails & cracking skin that could result in ripping off on the rocks. Never moisturize your hands before you embark on climbing. You wouldn’t want your greasy hands slipping off your holds.
3. HOLD YOUR FEET FIRM AND WITH CAUTION
Just like in ballet or soccer, you got to learn the footwork, the specific positions, and the movements during ascents & descents, using your feet as extensions of your hands to feel around before you decide to take the next step, etc. Learn to read the terrain. The game in climbing is a lot about footwork, if you move well, you play well. So, focus on your footwork and you are very unlikely to fail.
4. FAILURES ARE THE PITONS OF SUCCESS
The most important aspect before you venture into climbing is to overcome the fear of failure. You need to cope with the fact that you might experience bad weather, poor health, and contingencies. But these should not bog you down. Stay focused, stay committed and do what you have trained for, with utmost dedication. It is completely ok to fail. The greatest of climbers have miserably failed before they could succeed in their endeavors.
5. MOVE WITH PRECISION
Controlled movement is a necessity during a climb. Learn to understand gravity and place your body accordingly. It is advisable to move your hips first and rest it above your base point of contact i.e. your feet. This technique is really helpful in making big strides and in avoiding falling off. The key to an efficient and successful climb is control and balance.
6. WORK UP YOUR OPPOSING MUSCLE GROUPS THROUGH APS
APS (agonist-antagonist paired sets) exercises refer to pairing of opposing muscle groups in an alternating manner with short breaks between the sets. It is said to efficiently increase strength and power. Climbers often use hair bands to exercise their fingertips by stretching and releasing, a simple yet effective way to develop strong grips.
7. STAY CALM YET OBSERVANT
Mental pressure during a climb can shoot up your adrenaline levels. This might help you perform but at the same time be dangerous if you lose control of your mind. Stay calm and observe the environment around you. Do not get overwhelmed as it might lead you to panic and adversely affect your climb. A lot of climbers have succumbed to stress, just when they were about to reach the peak.
8. GIVE IT YOUR BEST SHOT
Be committed and accept no excuses. Put in the extra effort with dedication. We all tend to let lethargy seep into us with time and often fail. We don’t see the bigger picture. Preparing to climb is like rehearsing for the grand finale, there isn’t scope for errors up there. Nature is very unpredictable and you should be prepared for all conditions. The more hard work you put, the better are your chances of succeeding.
9. DO IT FOR YOURSELF
Make yourself proud, not others. A lot of times people surrounding you will not understand your journey. Don’t worry, they are not meant to, it is not for them. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone. Get out of the peer pressure and do it for you. Most of the time the biggest roadblocks come from outside and not within. Break free, stay strong, stay motivated and keep inching every moment towards your goal.
10. LIFE IS OUT THERE...GO GET IT!
As Sir Edmund Hillary puts it “ It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves”. Go out there and just do it. Do not get stuck in the whys and the Hows. Give your dreams a fair chance by putting in your best. Remember that the best view comes after the hardest climb. Moreover, the journey to the peak is more spectacular and life-transforming than reaching the peak itself. So, just Go...Give it a shot!
