The Hypnotherapy Way, A Climbing Tale.

There was a day almost 16 years ago when I faced potential death on the rock-face. I had picked a climb which was 120 feet high on a sea cliff in North Devon. To get to the start of the climb involved abseiling down to a jagged rocky platform which was no more than 10 feet wide at the base of the cliff. The sea was quite choppy at the time and dashed against the platform sending waves of spray up into the air. The only way out was to climb out. I started leading up the rockface placing pieces of protection into cracks, clipping the rope tied to my harness into the protection. The other end of the rope led down the rock face to my partner on the rocky ledge at the base. I remember being around 50 feet up. I had just climbed over a small overhang and had placed around 5 pieces of equipment on the way up to protect me if I should fall. I was about to start the hardest section of the climb when my climbing partner yelled out to me, from the platform, "Hey Angela all your gear has fallen out! " I couldn't believe it, I was an experienced climber and this had never happened to me before. I was about to undertake the hardest part of the climb and there was no climbing down and no chance of rescue as there was nobody in sight. There were no cracks to put any protection in for at least another 15 feet. My climbing partner couldn't leave me to get help as that would require him to climb over 120 feet of rock on his own without any safety equipment thus risking his own life.

I remember being terrified for the first 5 minutes, perched on minute holds, but then I knew I had no choice but to pull myself together and make the moves. The other choice was to remain scared, run out of energy and fall onto the jagged rocks below. If I did fall then I chanced death at worst, multiple crippling bodily injuries at best
I started focusing on my breathing, knowing this would keep me energised and help preserve my strength. I observed the moves above, knowing that they were close to my limit. If I messed up then I would fall , there was no way out.. I scanned the rock above me looking at all the small holds available and how I would use them. I visualised myself doing the moves again and again and again, in my mind I was telling myself I can do these moves, I am capable, I can do this. All the time I kept focusing on my breathing trying to relax and keep calm. By now I had totally removed the idea from my mind that I as going to fall, the only thing on my mind was 'doing' the moves. Finally I was ready. With focused mind, I climbed upwards, reaching for small finger holds, every move, deliberate, positive ,and focused. After a further 15 feet I got to the crack and placed a piece of safety equipment. I had made it! I was safe! I continued climbing upwards placing more equipment until I had made it to the top. Exhilaration overcame me, I had amazed myself in the experience, but I was humbled. That exhilaration stayed with me as I made an anchor and then belayed my partner up., feelings of awe. That day in my mind has never left me. I can vividly recall where I was the moment my partner yelled up to me, that moment of immediate fear, knowing it was a make or break situation. I remember looking down at my partner on the rocky platform far below me. The eye contact where he said nothing as he didn't have to, we both knew what I had to do. Breathing, trying to calm myself and gather my focus because I knew I had too. . I have never forgotten that moment.