Yesterday my 4 year old daughter climbed a 12m climbing wall. A couple of weeks ago we were watching other kids on the wall and she was transfixed; she was wary but wanted a go. At the top of the wall there's a bell ringer; anyone who's around (and there's always people around when a little kid goes for it) can't help but applaud. The photo below shows her at the top of the wall, reaching for the bell pull.
Here are a few thoughts that occurred after she was back on terra firma.
1. Occasionally look down.
Ok, I'd be the first to admit I was saying, "Don't look down," but sometimes you need to appreciate what you've done and that although you're 12m in the air, you're actually safer than everyone else thinks you are.
2. Everyone goes first.
Sometimes you're genuinely breaking new ground; most of the time someone has done something similar before and you just have to find them and learn. The way you incorporate your experiences and learning to that point produces a unique experience; yours.
Of course, when others see you pursuing your unique experience they are moved to find their own; lead by example.
3. To be brave you have to be scared first.
Fearlessness isn't particularly admirable. Not being scared is stupid - as is incorrectly assessing risks so as never to do anything. Respect the size of the task, respect the risks, then do it anyway.
4. Focus on the very next thing.
The best bit of advice I felt I could offer was, "One step at a time", or some variant. By simply finding the next good hand/foot hold and stepping up, you can make surprisingly good progress. There are many ways to the top of the wall and all of them are achieved in the same way.
5. Getting above head-height is the tough bit.
That bit where you leave ground is easy; the point where you leave the comfort zone and the risk sharply increases is hard. Mental strength is required to realistically assess the safety provision and analyse the risks. It's equal parts discipline and trust.
6. Only those on the wall know what's going on.
From 12m away you can't know what the hand-holds are like, whether the rope is holding, whether some clothing has been snagged. All you can do is talk in generalisations; direction, energy, progress. Only those who actually have their nose, feet and hands on the wall can make the tactical decisions.
Of course, I had a go and it was great. But as a 4 y/o it would have been something more than that.
