Page 35 - 2013 AMA Winter

larly. Base fitness is important for recreational climbing too and will enable you to fully enjoy your experiences and lead to a full and active life. Many people don’t realise what they are missing out on by neglecting this important aspect of their lives. For some of them it simply isn’t true that they can’t, it’s just that they don’t try hard enough. Any woman aspiring to become a Mountain Guide is going to have to work very hard. So start now and learn to love pushing yourself physically.
Make your learning process efficient
but don’t lose the enjoyment.
I started climbing at University aged 18. I wasn’t coached into rock shoes aged two or heading up Alpine peaks with my parents in my teens like some of my friends. A lot of studies have shown that it takes a lot of practise of any complex skill to develop true compe- tence. To be a Mountain Guide you need both a high degree of technical ability and depth of experience. There is no quick fix, this kind of skill comes with time and investment and lots of practice. While those who start early have more opportunities and time to gather this vital experience; achieving your goal is still possible if you start later in life, it will just require hard work to master the disciplines required.
You need to be a strong climber on rock, mixed, ice and alpine ter- rain, and you need to be a strong skier too.
Surround yourself with enthusiastic and positive
people who have similar goals and ambitions.
The people you surround yourself with have a dramatic influ- ence on our attitude and beliefs and consequently your progress. Enthusiasm is contagious; hard work is made easier when those
Climbing the Comici on Cime Grande with Joe Williams Guitarist extraordinaire and one of my favourite climbing partner in wintry conditions
ARMY MOUNTAINEER 33