Fighting Fear

Here’s how a climber overcame his fear of leading outdoors and his gym program to improve his climbing.

“Climbing at the gym had become boring. I showed up more to support others than to focus on my own climbing…

My plan for the gym was simple:

• 5.10 and below would be climbed on lead, period.
• 5.11 and above would be done on top rope, but if I climbed the route clean than from then on I had to climb it on lead.”