Sometimes, however, a climber must carry his courage on his back, not in a sack. This was one of those times. We were climbing the buttress before midnight. In most alpine settings, some loose or unstable rock is common. But as we climbed higher and higher, we were surprised to find the rock consistently solid, allowing us to move quickly and with confidence.
Confidence is integral to climbers.
It allows the mind and body to work in harmony when negotiating a cliff. Shaken confidence is a precursor of failure. The game is played by keeping a very nasty secret from yourself. When the mind becomes too analytical, a climber can become paralyzed by fear, and he will lose because the nasty little secret is out - sudden, violent death. In most sports, athletes get a second chance.