Tips for a Brand New Climber?

Greetings,
I am in high school and I play lacrosse. However, I am looking to become more active and I am interested in rock climbing. I love the outdoors and outdoor activities, like hiking. I am wondering if perhaps you have any tips for a BRAND new climber. I am also kind of afraid of heights, is it unrealistic to try climbing? I am really looking into an outdoor activity to get in shape and be with nature. Also, I am a vegetarian who is looking to eat healthier and I am wondering if you have any healthy lunch ideas. Thanks so much!
Sincerely,
Julia

Dear Julia,
I don’t think being afraid of heights is necessarily a deal breaker for climbing. I’ve noticed there is a difference between exposure and being high on a wall. When you are in a high, exposed place with nothing around you, the sense of vertigo can be really intense. When you are climbing, with a wall in front of your face, the feeling of height is much less overwhelming. So maybe give it a try….this could even help to lessen your fears, just through being exposed to heights in a safe, controlled way.

You might also find that you really like trail running, because it’s a wonderful combination of fitness and time out in nature. I think some of my happiest times have been running on a beautiful trail, though it does take a couple of weeks to start having fun with running when you first start (but your lacrosse fitness could take the edge off of the startup phase).

One of my favorite quick lunches is leftover brown rice and vegetable stirfry rolled up in a sheet of nori (the flat seaweed sheets you use to make sushi rolls). You can buy packs of nori at most grocery stores in the Asian section. Or you can do the same thing with a tortilla or a lettuce leaf. If you don’t have any leftover stirfry or rice, try some almond butter and sliced banana in a tortilla.
I hope that helps!
Steph