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Main Boards => Welcome => Topic started by: loopysarah81 on 16:59:24, 24/04/19

Title: Hi everyone!
Post by: loopysarah81 on 16:59:24, 24/04/19
Hello


My name is Sarah and I am based in Derby.


After a visit to The Lake District last year we have the hiking bug!


We love the Peak District as the White Peak is local for us.


I have a problem… I have a fear of falling. Not a fear of heights. I can stand on glass floors… I would love to do a zip wire… because I know I am safe. But I have a fear of falling. Narrow paths with a drop, uneven paths, steep scree, slopes with mud, clambering over rocks. I just want to sit down on the floor. In fact I remember as a child my parents taking me up one of the slopes at Dovedale and I came down in floods of tears all the way down on my bum!
 
So my friend convinced me to buy walking poles. I wasn’t a fan of the idea but having bought them I can confidently achieve more than before.
 
So we tried the Llanberis path this weekend just gone. I used to be a heavy lady and I have lost a lot of weight and built up a good fitness regime. I left my boyfriend and his 11 yr. old girl half way. He has a bad back and had to carry her bag.
 
I got maybe another ¼ of the way with my poles by myself but froze at a scree ascent with nowhere to stop and sit at the side. So I missed out on the summit not because of fitness but fear. Cried! L
 
I want to progress but don’t know how? Any words of wisdom?
Title: Re: Hi everyone!
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 17:35:11, 24/04/19
I don't do particularly brave routes yet but I've done several things that scared me (walked along a fairly exposed path, descended a near scramble where slipping would result in considerable pain, climbed a short way vertically up a crag again risking considerable pain, crossed a waterfall I was convinced I'd slip and fall crossing and if I did would have tumbled down the hill - perhaps resulting in death I didn't look too far along).

What got me to do it was it was better than turning round and going back again. Maybe someone else will have a better answer but what I had to do was just do it. I really think this is a subconscious decision. Who knows maybe you made the right choice there's a reason you're scared of falling is it within your ability not to slip and fall? If you're sure you can do it, do it I think it's the only way.
Title: Re: Hi everyone!
Post by: richardh1905 on 17:53:20, 24/04/19

Welcome to the forum from Orkney, LoopySarah.


My advice is to choose more rounded hills, maybe like the northern Carneddau (Drum and Foel Fras from Bwlch y Ddeufaen, for example) and build up your confidence.
Title: Re: Hi everyone!
Post by: pdstsp on 17:55:57, 24/04/19
Welcome to the forum from Liverpool, Loopysarah.


I'm afraid I don't suffer from your problem, but my other half does and it affects our ability to walk together, particularly in the hills, but also on coastal paths.  My daughter also suffers, but her fear is a little odd.  She does some climbing, not world class, but multi pitch stuff where she follows her boyfriend, and she copes really well.  But, when she reaches the top, she often has panicky moments and cries!  Last autumn we walked Striding Edge and she was terrified (and spent a considerable time sitting or semi-crawling), despite climbing vertical cliffs on other days.  She has spent a few days walking with me over the winter and has commented that she finds the more she does, the less intense is the fear - almost as if the brain is acclimatising and realising that she is not going to fall.  I don't know if this helps - but I hope so.  Maybe just keep on doing it until it becomes the new normal?


I was chatting with another member, Domtheone, on a recent meet up, and he has had similar issues but now does what I consider to be pretty exposed scrambling and loves it.


Paul


PS Richard's advice is good too.
Title: Re: Hi everyone!
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 18:13:31, 24/04/19
She has spent a few days walking with me over the winter and has commented that she finds the more she does, the less intense is the fear - almost as if the brain is acclimatising and realising that she is not going to fall.  I don't know if this helps - but I hope so.  Maybe just keep on doing it until it becomes the new normal.

After doing the things I've done I'm now more confident about doing something I shied away from before and intended to go back there soon. Maybe do a few things a little less scary to build up your experience just doing it (as well as Richard's suggestion)?
Title: Re: Hi everyone!
Post by: Bigfoot_Mike on 18:40:41, 24/04/19
I have found that experience can overcome the fear. Try building up slowly. As you have more days out with no disasters, you may find your confidence improves. You can then try something slightly more challenging.
Title: Re: Hi everyone!
Post by: loopysarah81 on 18:47:21, 24/04/19
Hello everyone! I dont know if I am replying in the correct way... if I need to tag individuals for you to get my reply? But thank you so much! I didn't expect many to reply! All of what you say makes sense and is helping my confidence to pick myself up and try again!


I am now wondering where to go next!  :)
Title: Re: Hi everyone!
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 19:05:40, 24/04/19
I am now wondering where to go next!  :)

Why not do one of the hills Richard suggested?
Title: Re: Hi everyone!
Post by: loopysarah81 on 19:46:20, 24/04/19
Hi. We were only in Wales for the weekend! They do sound ideal but we live in Derby so until we book another trip
We will ne looking a but closer to home
Title: Re: Hi everyone!
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 20:06:19, 24/04/19
Hi. We were only in Wales for the weekend! They do sound ideal but we live in Derby so until we book another trip
We will ne looking a but closer to home

You could ask for recommendations here, I have the forum members have given me good suggestion so far. Up to you though maybe you prefer to choose a different way.
Title: Re: Hi everyone!
Post by: loopysarah81 on 21:05:12, 24/04/19
Thank you Rob Goes Walking! Yes this does seem to be a very helpful forum! I will do myself some research and be back for advice and questions!



Title: Re: Hi everyone!
Post by: Mel on 21:16:48, 24/04/19
Don't be afraid to crab-walk up scree (use both hands and feet) and there's no shame in descending on your backside (intentionally).  That's why they invented reinforced seats on walking trousers!


I find if I can use my hands (or seat) as well I'm fine - otherwise I get "head-swimmy".  No, I'm not scared of heights either.



Title: Re: Hi everyone!
Post by: Rob Goes Walking on 21:23:06, 24/04/19
No, I'm not scared of heights either.

You big brave girls I'm scared of them! Given the choice between too much exposure and let Mike Tyson punch you I'd choose get hit by Mike every time.

Good advice about the scree too I'll remember that myself.
Title: Re: Hi everyone!
Post by: loopysarah81 on 22:22:57, 24/04/19
Hi Mel! Thanks for that. I guess some of the reluctancy to get up there by any means was a little pride... I was on my own and felt silly when others seemed un  phased. I think if my partner had gone too I might have been able to carry on! By foot, hand or bum lol 


I am really finding this forum is lifting my mood though. So thanks guys. I have been really down on myself x
Title: Re: Hi everyone!
Post by: ninthace on 23:19:25, 24/04/19
Welcome Sarah from Sunny Devon.
Although I have been up Snowdon several times and from different directions I have only done the Llanberis Path once and that would have been 8 years ago and even then I went down a different way.  I remember it was blowing a hooligan at the time and I didn't even notice a scree ascent -must have been too busy trying to stay stood up and my eyes were watering.  Perhaps that's secret - if you can't see it it can't scare you!  I do remember a big hole after going under the railway track that I nearly got blown down though.  I definitely wasn't a day to have for looking over the edge.
I hope you have many good trips in Derbyshire and further afield.  I did my first proper walking trip in the Peak District.  I think I was 14 at the time and went Youth Hosteling with a mate.  He was the one in charge because he was 15 and his dad was a copper.  We caught the train to Sheffield and than got the bus to Hope.  Must have been good - I can still still remember it.
Title: Re: Hi everyone!
Post by: sunnydale on 09:33:39, 25/04/19
Hi Sarah and welcome from the Peak District O0
Title: Re: Hi everyone!
Post by: Jac on 19:59:16, 25/04/19
Welcome Sarah from Sunny Devon.
 Perhaps that's secret - if you can't see it it can't scare you!  I do remember a big hole after going under the railway track that I nearly got blown down though.  I definitely wasn't a day to have for looking over the edge.



I'm also scared of falling/slipping and more so as I get older but not too scared of actual heights.  Was determined to do Striding Edge and found that as there was low mist I was fine and luckily the mist didn't clear until I got to the top. Yet I can be a total whimp on a gravelly 6 foot slope with water below.
One suggestion - however fit you are stay in touch with your companions.
Title: Re: Hi everyone!
Post by: rural roamer on 15:10:15, 02/05/19
I think a lot of us can relate more to the fear of falling especially as we get older.  We walked up Snowdon last spring and came down the Snowdon Ranger path.  I think that is one of the easier paths and although I didn’t enjoy it as much as the Rhydd dhu path (which is the one we ascended by and I wouldn’t recommend for you) it may be a good alternative to the Llanberis path.  I don’t recall there being any particularly steep scree bits, although there is loose stone.  Maybe check it out online? It’s certainly much quieter than some of the other paths. I do use poles on steep ascents and descents which helps.
Title: Re: Hi everyone!
Post by: astaman on 09:29:21, 03/05/19
Welcome to the forum from Shetland Sarah. Good advice all round above. As Richard suggested stick to routes that don't frighten you. Most of us have suffered from some anxiety or other in our working and domestic lives, this is another variation on that. The object of hill walking is to enjoy yourself so just don't do things that get in the way of that. Your confidence may grow as you experience steep places but personally I wouldn't bother to press that either.


In addition to routes suggested above remember that the national and other marked trails rarely involve any great degree of exposure. Enjoy your walking and welcome once more.
Title: Re: Hi everyone!
Post by: Slowcoach on 17:49:12, 03/05/19
Have you considered joining other walkers who may have more experience with the things you are wary of. I have definitely found that having the company of someone who has done these things does help confidence wise. Maybe a local ramblers group and when you are away look up walks by ramblers groups in that area.
Title: Re: Hi everyone!
Post by: Zizag on 18:26:59, 03/05/19
 :) Greetings from North Cheshire.I can advise you to try more low level walks to build up your confidence .Checkout the Staffordshire way.  maily flat with rolling hills . Nice area to start around Rudyard Lake old railway  tracks and trails .and nearby
also Meerbrook ,Tittsworth Reservoir area lots of Circular walks .The South Cheshire Way Near Mow cop Is a good walking area with parts of the Gritstone Trail . You can Mix and Match any of These Check out the O/s Maps for this area .These are right on your Doorstep via Ashborne And leek .Good luck . Dont Give Up ,Keep trying . ;) ;D O0
Title: Re: Hi everyone!
Post by: gunwharfman on 18:48:02, 03/05/19
I agree with Bigfoot Mike, I remember those days as a tenderfoot when I lacked confidence, I remember the first time I climbed up Striding Edge, I was certainly out of my comfort zone, but once done, easy peasy!

I've fallen over so many times, luckily never injured, mostly embarrassed. I've always found that one never falls with grace and dignity, in my case legs and arms flailing in all directions! The good thing is that when hiking, to my knowledge, no one has ever seen me fall.

I also remember the day when I walked my first footpath edge, clung on to every rock I could find for a while, gained my confidence and never looked back.

The only problem I have not been able to solve is how to wild camp and sleep well at the same time. My imagination tends to run away with me and I still have all sorts of weird dreams. My weirdest recent one was wild camping one night on Hadrians Wall, it's so easy to get carried away with the time span and the location of it all, I saw Russell Crowe everywhere!