My graphic design teacher at Columbus College of Art and Design, Alan Jazak, once said to me… Do something every day that scares you. I have remembered that ever since and have been trying to do that whenever opportunity presents itself.

Jeremy definitely helps put me in the position to face my fears by learning all the extreme sports – mountain biking, snowboarding, rock climbing, wind surfing and who know what else we are going to learn.

I really did not know I have acrophobia – the fear of heights, until Jeremy introduced me to rock climbing. In fact, when I first learned to rock climb, it involved lots of crying on the wall… hanging on for dear life… and I was probably only about 8 feet off the ground.

The sensation brought on by height vertigo just overwhelms me and the discomfort just pushes me to the edge of my limits.

Then after lots of practice at Vertical Adventures, an indoor climbing gym in Columbus, Ohio, I was then introduced to outdoor rock climbing… We went to Red River Gorge in Kentucky, New River Gorge in West Virginia, and Hocking Hills State Park in Logan, Ohio. I have shed tears and cursed the rocks many times during those trips… but, I would have to say that I really enjoyed rock climbing besides the fear.

It is a balancing sport, that test your brain on how to problem solve on the fly. It is hard not to be in the moment when you rock climb.

Barna suggested that during this 2009 vacation trip that we should go and summit Devils Tower, I was not sure if I want to do that at all… then I remembered Alan’s advise… so I keep telling myself, you can do it…

I did some extensive research and talked to our Devils Tower climbing guide, Andy, he told me that there is an average 85% – 90% chance of first time Devils Tower climber to summit. I sure want to do my best and summit. That also means training and learning to over come my fear of heights.

Have any of you climbed Devils Tower before? If you did, can you please give me some advise on training and what to expect?