One of my biggest fears is heights. This runs in the family, except for my mom, who is fearless when it comes to heights, roller coasters and the like. The rest of us are big, height-fearing chickens.
So imagine my surprise when I decided it would be fun to do the High Ropes Course at Canyon Ranch. Now, I’ve done other things to face my fear, most commonly hiking scary trails that offer a great chance of falling to my death. My super-smart brother calls this “systematic desensitization”. Although I never seem to get desensitized; I’m just as scared as before. But as my brother also says “We’re Fletchers” (this is some sort of Scottish, Rob Roy-esque rallying cry), so I had to try it.
With my cousin Robin manning the camera, I started up the ladder. And stopped. For a long time. Eventually, this seemed like it would be all I could do that day. I can’t remember what propelled me to resume climbing, but I did.
I reached the first platform, which is about 26 feet high. And stopped. For another long time, it seemed like this would be all I could do that day. Then the voice of the guide on the upper platform said “Eventually, you’ll have to make your way up to me.” Honestly, the only thing that got me up there was knowing I would be more scared to climb down the ladder than climb up. Sometimes fear helps you.
Finally I reached the top platform, 35 feet up in the air. Now, this doesn’t sound too high as I write it; but if we’d had a video camera, I’m positive we’d see that my shaking legs caused the entire structure to vibrate.
Once I reached the top, I felt a real sense of accomplishment. I was so proud of this incredible win, that I gave myself permission to abort mission and climb back down the ladder. I looked in gratitude at the guides who got me up there and to my cousin who was quietly and supportively freezing her hands while taking pictures of me.
And then, I jumped.
Tags: canyon ranch, Facing Fears
