 Top article Jon.
I'd like to say that the Pancreas thing came out of a conversation about the difference between fear and anxiety.
I wasn't afraid as we went along the arete...more anxious, as we discussed that the difference between the the two goes something like this:
Fear=mind sharpening...fight or flight reflex. Fear produces a rush of adrenaline, which pushes you onwards to actually do something.
Anxiety=dibilitating...if you do "this" then "that" may happen. So it stops you from doing things.
When the fear kicks in, you think...I could fall of here. When you get anxious about the route, you think...I could fall off here and tumble down breaking bones painfully, and rupturing internal organs, etc, etc.
Anxiety comes from knowing that the wife and the kids are waiting at home and that in doing what you are doing you are being, in a slight way, irresponsible with your own safety.
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 but fear is good, it makes you think about the dangers and the risks, I tend to have a look round and think, "if I come off here, I'll probably go all the way down there", that tends to stop me doing really daft stuff (well most of the time!), having no fear is definately not good.
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 Ahem. I did my thesis on stress, fear and anxiety. Let me remember.....
What you are trying to describe are:-
1. *Eu-stress* - the 'good' one which heightens senses (even smell etc.!) and awareness and causes an upsurge in the emission of adrenaline which is then usefully channelled into the activity. It leads to better performance and can feel quite pleasureable - many people say they work better when they 'feel under pressure'.
2. The other sort is *Distress*, over-production of adrenaline that is unable to be used up by the body can result in a raised heart rate - useful for an increase in muscle motion as it can channel extra blood to say the legs; but too much and you get hyperventilation then lightheadedness and...you know the rest. If it lasts for a too-long length of time it can weaken the immune system. NOT psychosomatic - it can lead to genuine illness that the sufferer cannot 'pull yourself out' of.
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 Sort of. if you look at the Outside site - www.outsidemag.com - the article from the last issue about it should be up.
From memory it says that the sudden whoosh, adrenaline rush is positive and a reaction to current events / situation. It's what saves you when both your feet slide off and you scrabble for a better hold... ie: it's about what is happening.
Anxiety, more about imagining what might happen. Actually inhibits your movement and judgement. So, on something like Crib Goch, you need to be relaxed and precise and balanced - as you would be if it were two feet off the ground - if you're shuffling along visualising what might happen if your foot slips off the next hold, then the chemicals produced actually inhibit smooth, relaxed movement and screws your focus.
The trick is to be aware of the danger, that's what keeps you alive, but not to let it tense you up or impair your ability to move and think logically. A state of barely contained anticipatory terror is definitely bad for climbing or scrambling. A big rush of adrenaline at the right time however, can be a good thing.
The Outside article is interesting because it suggests some basic ways of coping with anxiety.
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Very interesting, and not just the fear and anxiety bit, but also the fatigue section too. here's a good link for those who may find it difficult to navigate around Outsidemag.com's super site: Fear and Anxiety Hope the html works.......
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 About all the anxiety, and the bad fear... doesn't laughing at your own situation help to supress the anxiety, and allows better thought processes?
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In a real anxiety/fear frozen situation I would imagine that it would be VERY difficult to laugh at your situation.
If you have just slipped and have dropped 500feet down. You have just broken an ankle and you have blood running down your face into your eyes. It's raining and you can't get your jacket done up fully.
I don't think many people would be able to have a laugh at that situation.
Admittedly, if you are just a little "preturbed" about starting to do something like Crib Goch, then a quick chuckle is possible, and maybe a little black humour would help the scenario.
Black humour is something that I have a particular likeness for...ask any serviceman!
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 I've never quite worked out if the 'distract them so they won't think about falling off thing' works. Many times I've nursed nervous people over tricky terrain that more experienced people wouldn't blink twice at, but for them it's sh!t scary. Should you try and talk to them about other stuff or just let them concentrate on the task at hand and reassure when needed?
I reckon the latter, as sometimes being distracted while you're concentrating is annoying, but on the other hand you might still need some help and reassurance.
There also seems to be a third class of people who actually dislike any attempt to help them, they'd rather manage by themselves, even if they've never done something like it before.
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 Alex, I think laughing is possible but it's more to do with releasing stress after a particularly hairy incident. I still remember a fall I took in my climbing days - I took a forty foot fall at Malham Cove but the route was only 45 feet high. I ended up upside down touching the ground with my hands on the rope stretch. A lot of people ran over cos they thought I'd decked it head first, but all I could do was laugh manically for several minutes. It wasn't a conscious thing but after the laughing stopped I was pretty shaken for a fair while.
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Bloody hell!
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Heh this walk was the best buzz I'd ever had I did it alone as I often do and to aid enjoyment I inject just enough caution and respect for the particular section I'm walking at any given moment. I have a 10 yr old @ home but no way am I going over the edge is all about concentrating the mind, and I'm old enough to be someone's granny. :-)
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 Helen, I see you're going up to Skye next week. If you enjoyed Crib Goch just wait until you get up there. Hope the weather is kind to you.
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Skye's still unaccountably on my yet to do list as well. I think it's because fear of midgies keeps me away from Scotland in summer...
I'd also totally recommend An Teallach and the big ridges in Torridon to anyone who likes the Horseshoe and wants more of the same.
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Sorry to open a can of worms as usual but...
Snowdon horseshoe best mountain day in Britain...hmmm - what about...no better not!
Don't want to put anyone off but whilst Crib Goch is superb it should not be compared like for like to say, the traverse of Sgurr a' Greadaidh. I'd hate to think of anyone going to Skye thinking like my friends did "We thought it would be a long Aonach Eagach" - far from it.
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That particular can of worms was well and truely opened here and I think most of your very true points can be seen there...
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Thank you very much, Alex. I obviously don't spend enough time on here.
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"can of worms" shouldn't you be on FISHINGmagic?
Er, munroist what exactly is your point? That there are bits that are more difficult on Skye than the SH? There are bits in Wales more difficult than the Horseshoe. Who's compared anything with anything?
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Yes, Mike, my point is that there are more difficult bits on Skye.
Like I said before, don't spend enough time on here. Should stay in more like some.
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Conversely there are bit on Skye easier than Crib Goch, South Cuillin Ridge, Bruach na Frithe, Blaven South Ridge, Quiraing tables, yes do the tables Helen as you're up in Trotternish.
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Sorry, thought we were talking only Cuillin. Above mentioned friends got into a bit of difficulty a couple of years ago, bit off more than they could chew.
How do you put that link thingy on, Alex?
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