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| puma3. 10. 2011 22:43:42 |
So, I've browsed all topics in general discussions and haven't found any talking about this embarrassment 
My problem (probably someone else's too) is really annoying and I'm looking for advice on how to solve it, or at least mitigate it. I love going to the mountains, but unfortunately always have to seek easy, non-exposed paths... I'd like to tackle a harder path too, climb a summit that's currently out of reach
The idea has already arisen to enroll in a course e.g. sport climbing, to get used to heights, belays...
I really need some idea, advice, maybe someone has overcome this.
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| Zebdi3. 10. 2011 22:57:16 |
Oh,
sport climbing probably not the right solution; it's a great sport otherwise, but here you mostly climb routes up to 30, max 40m high, which is of course much less than what you experience in the mountains. Off the top of my head, I'd say try gradual increase in difficulty. The more mileage you have, the easier it'll be. How long have you been going to the hills?
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| YoYo3. 10. 2011 23:13:43 |
I suggest shock therapy. Maybe some Base-Jump 
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| puma3. 10. 2011 23:26:52 |
Aha, then that's not much of a solution. I've been going to the hills a bit since childhood, sometimes more sometimes less, but always in lower more forested areas, this year though I've been a frequent hill visitor, also tackled high mountains which totally captivated me and now there's no way back, only forward
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| puma3. 10. 2011 23:30:39 |
@ YoYo: they'd have to throw me down, I wouldn't even dare look down myself
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| YoYo3. 10. 2011 23:32:25 |
I was just kidding a bit before.
I'm no therapist, but maybe try Karavanke first. You've got height, north side is almost everywhere very steep. When you feel bad look towards Slovenia
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| puma3. 10. 2011 23:36:21 |
I was on Begunjščica past Roblekov dom and on Stol via Zabreška, that went without issues, very nice mountains and they'll see me again if I manage to climb up some other route even better
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| studencnik4. 10. 2011 07:40:48 |
I think the best is gradual increase in difficulty... I notice many people don't even look at the view because they're scared and only look 1m in front of them, but when they get a bit higher panic hits due to exposure. My advice would be to make more stops right from the START of the path and look around (not just up the hill), stay stable or even sit down. That way you'll get used to the height gradually.
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| Zebdi4. 10. 2011 08:43:19 |
Here's another instant therapy for you: go to Mangart saddle and peek over to the Italian side. And repeat as long as needed. Oh, maybe not bad to go to the edge on all fours
Otherwise as I wrote above - gradually tackle harder and more exposed paths - preferably with an experienced person, and you'll be fine 
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| puma4. 10. 2011 09:40:51 |
@studencnik: it already happened to me that I got to a viewpoint but was so scared I couldn't even stand, sat behind a rock and squatted there like a chicken  so not much view
@zebdi: yeah Mangart is also a big wish, maybe next year via Italian route, maybe on all fours
Next year starting from easier gradually to a bit harder, haven't done that till now and stuck to easy paths only (this site is a big help, all descriptions, pics, opinions, really super!!!), season ending for me, so already looking forward to spring and new peaks
Thanks for advice, if there's more let it out
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| Zebdi4. 10. 2011 09:50:50 |
@puma, any more advice? Team up with climber buddies, let them prepare a rappel from some bridge. Once you're dangling on climbing rope 50m above ground, every peg, every cable on secured path will seem like luxury You might be a bit soft the first time, but by the fifth, sixth rappel you'll enjoy it 
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| facko4. 10. 2011 10:18:03 |
@Zebdi:
... soft ... and a bit LOUD
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| VanSims4. 10. 2011 12:28:23 |
Well, if we talk gradual acclimatization: maybe someone could make a ladder of escalating exposure with examples of slightly more demanding paths for beginners.
In my opinion, where I went like this (from least to most):
1. Westrova to Šmarna gora, Monte Amariana (as described on this site)
2. Poldašnja špica via Strehica or Ravno, Säuleck via Buderusweg (otherwise nasty path due to rocks), Hudičev graben to Celjska koča (exposed but only to a height of a couple of meters)
3. Stol via Celovška koča and Belščica, Komarča, Svinjak (do it at the end of this stage, as it borders on fourth)
4. Gradiška Tura easier variant, Aloisiasteig to Dobrač (one bit exposed)
5. Ankogel (as described on this site)
Tours are at most demanding (NOT very demanding). Of course there are more exposed paths but enough for beginner. At Ankogel you have respectable depth below. Of course who has proper vertigo will probably stay longer on each stage than just two or three tours but let someone else say something.
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| kekec3214. 10. 2011 12:45:50 |
Hi, how does Kopiščarjeva path to Prisojnik compare in airiness to the path to Triglav from Kredarica?
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| Keko4. 10. 2011 13:16:49 |
To the window itself the path didn't seem particularly airy to me, as it runs in fairly enclosed world with occasionally steeper walls that don't reach dizzying heights, but are technically quite demanding, especially the notorious chimney that looks quite massive and intimidating from below. When you climb through the window on smooth, almost vertical and well-protected wall, practically Kopiščarjeva path ends and joins the ridge path leading to the summit. The ridge path itself could somewhat be compared to the path to Triglav from Kredarica in airiness. The difference is only that protections in ridge section are sparser, but everywhere needed.
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@puma
Sport climbing definitely helps overcome fear of heights, so I warmly recommend it! And not just fear of heights, you'll learn better movement on rock, and also gain confidence. Once you master basics of rock movement, our secured paths shouldn't be a big problem, especially not with self-belaying.
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| puma4. 10. 2011 17:41:28 |
@facko: oh, how I understand you, I already don't dare look down from 3rd floor, only through closed window, feel like I'll flip over
@zebdi: hmmm, only with eyes closed this would go, otherwise I'd faint I think and they'd hear me on the other end of Slovenia, hehe, otherwise original idea
@VanSims: today I "dared" to go on that steep to Nanos, would this count for 1st stage? I survived it and it was really nice thanks for the ladder, I'll print it and start roughly with this in spring, great to have such framework of difficulty. Maybe I'll go Westrova still this year, as I live nearby and always go up from Tacen. Super! I believe these tours useful to others too!
@neph: I thought about it, maybe once tied in, and know there's safety that you don't just fall into depth if e.g. slip, then sense of security is greater. Surely I lack feel for movement in rocks too, so barefoot here too. Always worry I'll get somewhere from where I can't (dare) go forward or back... Worth trying then maybe someone can recommend climbing school in LJ or area?
THANKS everyone for good ideas!
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| Zebdi4. 10. 2011 17:47:49 |
Oh yes, we can recommend schools, no panic. But since I don't know portal policy on advertising, you can PM me on ZS or email (primoz.zupancic@gmail.com), and we'll say something on the topic.
Best,
P.
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| Loni4. 10. 2011 19:11:24 |
I lost my fear of heights through sport climbing, especially when they first deliberately let me dangle in the walls near Trieste, only 4 meters above the ground but it was more than enough. And the first trip to Paklenica was awesome, since then never any more problems with fear of heights. Before that I also had issues with the balance center, but they went away on their own after 12 years. Good thing, otherwise I'd still be walking only on flat today. And if you ever need company for Šmarno, just say.
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