I am back at the base of Skyfall yet again, it’s the most protracted mental battle I’ve had with a route to date. It is dangerous, committing and bold, exactly the style of climbing I love but for some reason, I keep walking away; it does not feel right. I can’t quit though so I know I’m in for a fight that will require me to work on my mental strength.
The mind holds the key to the next level of climbing, whether that being the ability to teach yourself to take more punishment during training, to control fear or to commit fully to a route. You could be the strongest climber at the crag but all the strength in the world won’t help if you’re afraid to make that sketchy committing crux move. Physically I’m not a strong climber but I have bypassed many of my ‘stronger’ peers because of my mindset.
Back at the base of Skyfall I know I’m going to need to change my approach for this route and I leave to reassess my tactics and to assess what is holding me back.