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**I Believe in Taking Falls ** Ben Thompson

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I was 20 meters off the ground on a smooth face of rust colored limestone. The last bolt connecting me to the rock was 10 feet below and I was too tired to have control of my hands. To take a fall at this point would ﻿mean a 20 foot drop. The next bolt, which would ensure safety, was only a few feet above me and all I had to do was throw my hand up, grab a large pocket in the rock, and clip in the rope. I missed the hold. During the drop I screamed like a girl and smashed my shoulder into the wall 20 feet below. Looking down at my belayer, who was now hanging in mid-air after being pulled off the ground, still cheering me on, I was glad I took the fall. I truly believe people should not be afraid to take a fall.

On skies, you don’t know what your limit is until you actually fall and have your jacket and pants packed with snow. If I don’t fall at least once a day skiing it’s a huge disappointment, I never know how much more I could have accomplished. At the end of the day I realize taking a fall and knowing that I used every ounce of energy, and tried harder than I thought was possible, is more gratifying than I could have imagined. I have also discovered when you try your absolute hardest, and not afraid to fall, more often than not, you make it!

This mindset is also easily applied to aspects of life off the mountain. Ninety-five percent of new businesses fail within the first five years of starting. These entrepreneurs who have invested all their time and money into a new business cannot be preoccupied wondering when their business will “fall.” They use every resource and try as hard as they can, and like climbing, a few actually make it to the top. Although the majority that did fail are not at a huge disadvantage, they have gained experience and insight to try again.

One of the most amazing feelings is when you think falling is imminent, you throw for that last hold expecting to take the 20 foot wipper again and then you stick the pocket. After the first fall on the route I regrouped and tried it again, no longer afraid to fall because I knew it wasn’t that bad. Mentally, this is all I needed to somehow make it to the next bolt, clip the rope and finish the route. I believe in taking falls. You won’t do anything well if you even give yourself the option to quit and climb down.

Ben Thompson is a senior at the University of Colorado studying Geophysics as well as finishing his commercial pilot’s license at rocky mountain metro. He is a novice rock climber of 3 years and has climbed throughout Colorado and Utah.