Holding Strong

Find out what happened when fitness editor Jennifer Nied finally faced her fear of heights while learning how to rock-climb.

- Jennifer Nied

Am I shivering from the crisp morning mountain airor from nerves? That is one of many questions buzzing in my head as I tie into the rope dangling from the top of the crag (the rock). My answer: likely a mix of the two.

Honestly, I'd be more surprised if I wasn't shaking. It's my first try at rock climbing, a feat I never thought I'd attempt. I'm preparing to ascend a granite slab in Squamish, British Columbia, and I'm out here thanks to an invite from Arc'teryx to attend its annual Climbing Academy, an event that brings together climbers of all levels, purely for love of the sport.

I came to learn the ropes in the wild with a private lesson led by two of the brand's rock star female athletes, Shelma Jun and Alannah Yip, and to practice my skills in a beginner group clinic. (It was such a rad opportunity that I simply couldn't decline, no matter how intimidating!)

In this moment, I'm as far away from my comfort zone as possible. I have a very real fear of heights, specifically near an exposure (any place close to a drop-off or where a serious fall is possible) and when I'm on a surface I can see through (like a suspension bridge).

At the crag, however, I don't think about how high the cliff soars above me. I focus on my expert instructors, who make me much more comfortable by explaining basic techniques in detail and running thorough safety checks. The jitters slowly dissipate.

Owning a Beginner Mindset

As a total newbie, I'll be the first to admit I don't know what I'm doing. (I needed help prepping the chalk bag and even asked what kind of socks to wear with climbing shoes.) Fortunately, my instructors have decades of experience between them in climbing and teaching.