Podcast 04: Fear of Falling on Trad Climbing or was it Ice

Fear of Falling in Trad Climbing: A Deep Dive with Allegra and Kevin

In this episode, Allegra and Kevin talk about the fear of falling—particularly in trad climbing. They dive into the unique aspects of trad climbing that make managing fear more complex and explore strategies to help climbers build trust in themselves and their gear.  Although Kevin goes off topic and ends up talking about ice climbing instead.

 

What can you expect in this fascinating conversation?

Allegra and Kevin discuss the fundamental differences between the fear of falling in sport climbing and trad climbing. From the psychological comfort of solid bolts in sport climbing to the unpredictable nature of gear placements in trad.  They unpack why trad climbing tends to push climbers into deeper mental territory. They also revisit the old-school mantra that “the leader doesn’t fall” and examine how that mindset still influences modern climbing attitudes.

The duo provides actionable tips on how to trust your trad gear more and shares practical insights.   Like how much gear to carry, how frequently to place it, and when (or if) it’s okay to run out your placements. They also delve into handling no-fall zones and the mindset required to navigate these situations with confidence.

Kevin shares personal anecdotes, including a close call he experienced while ice climbing.  And explains how he applied fear and anxiety management techniques from sport climbing to handle real-life no-fall scenarios. The conversation extends to Kevin’s relationship with risk, distinguishing between real and perceived danger.  And how climbers can recalibrate their mental response to challenging situations.

Allegra and Kevin also explore soloing—discussing its risks, rewards, and the motivations behind it. They talk about the value of gradual risk exposure, managing pre-climb anxiety butterflies.  And offer their best advice for trad climbers working on their fear of falling.

 

This episode is packed with actionable tips and relatable stories—don’t miss it! Check out the full episode in the links below.

You can also listen to the full episode on Apple and YouTube.

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