Even as a little boy I often climbed trees. Whether for cherries, conkers, or just playing around with the other kids. I was scared of heights, but I was so curious what the world looks like from a bird's-eye view. I didn't know whether I'd have the strength to get right up into the crown, or whether a branch that was too fragile might snap beneath me. Even so, the craving for adventure and for pushing my own – as yet only sensed – limits was much stronger than fear and uncertainty.
Seen through today's climbing eyes, that same adventure and uncertainty are fading more and more. It seems to be driven above all by technological progress. Technology and inventions follow us at every step. All those smartphones, social networks, shared videos, virtual spaces – all of it has changed real life, even out there in nature. There are fewer and fewer places and things that could surprise you or catch you off guard. When we don't know something, it forces us to search, explore, experiment, try to find our own solutions and reach our limits. After all, knowledge springs from not knowing. But I have my doubts about what the ideal of our behaviour is these days.
As I see it, the argument sits on the side of reason, which pursues usefulness and rational action, thinks in context and can analyse everything. We know how to switch off a smartphone, computer or tablet. We know how to log off social media. But can we disconnect our minds from them too? Can we focus purely on the moment and be ourselves? Climb a particular route on the rock in here-and-now mode, say, and feel deep inside that I've just done the most fitting thing in the whole universe I was capable of? The experience of that adventure settles into your consciousness, and what you learn can be applied in other situations and other contexts too. You don't have to say anything at all to make history. A single deed is enough – one that speaks louder than a lot of words, even louder than plenty of feats by famous heroes. It's important to have your own opinion and not to worry about how others will react. Nobody gets anywhere if they don't know where they're going. That's why you need to listen to your mind and build your self-confidence. But results take effort.
We've got into the habit of seeking approval. And that behaviour complicates our lives. The main thing is for everyone to have at least a little clarity in their life and to think about how important their own feelings are. I go to the crags for good feelings – I simply go there for the joy of it.
Today a realistic view of the world dominates, while feelings are pushed into the background and given no room. Is that a good thing? Climbing is mostly a non-competitive sport, built on pushing yourself, on friendship, love of nature and freedom. And for me it has always meant free-spirited liberty. I don't think a competitive atmosphere should creep into it. There's no need to compare your achievements with anyone else's. That way you get caught in a vicious circle and feel worthless – all the happy moments are no longer so great and everything you've managed to achieve is played down. It's a trap in which you start to lose yourself.
No problem can be solved with the same thinking that created it, and everyone needs a different amount of time to get ready to change the way they think. Sometimes it's just a matter of fine-tuning; other times it takes a great deal of energy.
Don't compare yourself with others. Being yourself brings contentment and a better feeling about life.
Your only rival is you.
