Climbing & Emotions

by **climbing_rob** » 14 Aug 2012, 10:41

My emotions are definitely "enhanced" when I climb, but I've always simply attributed this to an endorphin rush. Anything this physical creates a body chemistry that will accentuate all emotions, both positive ones and negative ones. I used to get the same enhanced emotional highs/lows when I swam and ran competitively. I really don't think this is anything more than simple body chemistry, triggered by the beautiful but sometimes scary environment of mountain climbing.

by **pbakwin** » 14 Aug 2012, 10:51

I noticed some years ago that, once I'm acclimated, I just feel happier the higher I go. I've tested this to 22,841' so far, and it is consistent. I suppose it has to do with lack of oxygen to the brain, with is something like the effect of alcohol. Or, maybe those yogis who have been meditating high in the Himalayas for centuries are on to something?

Website · by **Scott P** » 14 Aug 2012, 11:47

I am one who is not unusually emotional from the climbs themselves.

A while back a newspaper did an article on me and they wanted me to say how emotional/spiritual the experience of summitting is. After prodding they kind of put it in the article, but it's really not much about how I feel.

I think much of the emotion isn't because of the mountain or the climb, but because you are left alone with your thoughts.

Even though I don't usually get unususual emotional from the climbs, being alone with your thoughts, does bring out emotions. Sometimes, if my wife isn't with me on a climb I think of her and how things used to be and will be with her. Thoughts wander and things like sadness, happiness, well being, or loneliness are often more apparent because you are left alone with your thoughts.

To me at least, it's being left alone with your thoughts, rather than altitude that brings out the emotion.

by **Lemmiwinks** » 14 Aug 2012, 12:01

I agree with Terry that it's therapeutic more than anything. If I'm away from the mountains for an extended period of time, I feel much more stressed than usual. I don't know whether it's specifically the altitude or rather just the scenary, sounds of nature, or solitude.

by **winmag4582001** » 14 Aug 2012, 13:06

Sounds like PMS... (pre mountain syndrome) $\:D/$

Or you could just be like my ex-wife.......... bat sh!t crazy!

FYI, only kidding.

by **GregMiller** » 14 Aug 2012, 13:22

Scott P wrote:I am one who is not unusually emotional from the climbs themselves.

Same here. If anything, it's not being in the mountains that gets to me - if I don't get up into the mountains and away from the city often enough (about every other week) I start turning into a hermit and get stressed out, which affects some ongoing medical issues (not good). I do know for me that solitude on a summit helps a lot (a crowded grays summit does a lot less for me than me and my hiking partner being the only ones to summit that day). I've thought about starting to hike/climb alone, but only after I get someting like a spot or inreach, and am VERY comfortable with its use.

by **Dex** » 14 Aug 2012, 13:27

Scott P wrote:
I think much of the emotion isn't because of the mountain or the climb, but because you are left alone with your thoughts.

True. I hike 14ers alone.

Sometimes I will get a topic started in my mind and I can't get it out.

Once I just laughed out loud when hiking up Harvard, I was so happy.

Then I was tearing up but, I didn't know why.

by **sanjuanmtneer** » 14 Aug 2012, 14:33

I'm usually blubbering like a head cheerleader dumped on prom night when we get to the top of the fifth peak and Mark, or Lynn, or Steve, or Pete says: "Okay, only 5 more to go".

by **SilverLynx** » 14 Aug 2012, 14:41

I noticed a lot of weird things happening with my emotions when I was doing some 14ers last year... I remember coming back from Columbia and feeling like my emotions were out of control. It was like I would come home and start crying for no apparent reason. This started happening more frequently. I wasn't sure whether I was happy, or sad, or what was going on. For a long time I thought it might be some form of altitude sickness but I really don't know.

I will say this: since I have started doing 14ers, I have an increased sensitivity to closed spaces or small rooms. I dislike being in a dimly lit building during the daytime, I dislike being without a view of the mountains, and I start to get depressed if I am indoors for too long. I have been more or less this way my whole life, but doing 14ers really spoils you to wide open spaces and bright sunlight. It is hard to be happy inside when you know what you could be doing instead.

by **Dex** » 14 Aug 2012, 14:56

http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/09/16/high-altitude-suicide-risk/18248.html

http://webctor.com/articles/could_living_at_high_altitude_raise_suicide_risk,226,1.html

I was in BV for 4 months - towards the end I could tell I was feeling depressed.

Website · by bj » 14 Aug 2012, 16:52

It's summit registers that get me. For a long time I just didn't sign them. Then about 6 years back my partner handed me the summit register on Mt. Williamson (CA). I thought about what to write for a minute and decided to just leave a note for my daughter (who will never see it) and I just started sobbing? I had no idea that was coming!

I've made a little tradition of leaving notes for my kids in the summit registers since then. I always feel something coming when I do it, but I don't always cry..

by **lackerstef** » 14 Aug 2012, 16:57

I always get a feeling of elation up high! Also remember a lost friend. Great place to reflect. Many people don't put enough value upon it.

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