Mountain walking can be a transformative experience, helping you to forge a deeper connection with the natural world, build up physical stamina, and develop a greater sense of confidence and independence.
However, if you are relatively new to exploring the great outdoors, the thought of venturing out alone or with other inexperienced walkers can understandably be quite daunting.
Here’s a look at how a Ben Nevis guided walk (or any of Scotland’s many other peaks) can help you overcome your fears and experience the exhilaration and beauty of scaling your first mountain.
What are the common fears that can hold us back?
It is natural and even a positive sign if you have some reservations about venturing into the hills, because it shows that you understand that the mountains need to be respected and it is not a challenge to be undertaken without some forethought and preparation. Therefore do not be afraid to admit to any of these common fears:
Fear of the unknown
In our everyday life, most of us will be in a familiar environment and we know we can also rely on instant communication tools should we need assistance. The mountain trails are unknown territory, remote from technology and subject to sudden changes in terrain and weather conditions.
Navigation can also be a daunting task, with the prospect of getting lost in a vast wilderness or wandering into dangerous territory. Some people may feel nervous about encountering or inadvertently disturbing wildlife such as deer or birds of prey.
Fear of physical challenges
If you have never climbed a mountain before, you may have doubts about your ability to make it safely to the summit and back. If you are in a group, this may cause concerns about being left behind, and if you want to walk alone, you may worry about becoming stranded or not being able to cope with extremes of cold, wind, or wet weather.
Fear of heights
Many people are uncomfortable with heights, particularly when navigating steep ledges and narrow paths with precipitous falls on one or even both sides.
How a guided walk can help you build confidence
A guided walk can help to alleviate many of these fears, whether it’s one to one or as part of a group. The walk will be led by a professional mountain guide with in-depth knowledge of the area. They will be familiar with the terrain and understand how to read and respond to the weather conditions, bringing you peace of mind that you will always be in safe hands.
Skill building
If you wish, the guide can help you build skills such as navigation, scrambling, and climbing. This can increase your confidence and let you work at your own pace until you feel ready to venture independently.
Tailored guidance
The guide will assess your fitness levels so that you can be sure you won’t be facing more than you can handle, and they will be able to offer practical advice and tips to address any particular fears and concerns you may have. You may simply wish to enjoy the sense of safety of being with experienced walkers while you take in the surroundings.
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