I destroyed my knee 13 months ago. I was able to climb in July, and led a few easy pitches at Tensleep. I am still 7 months away (supposedly) from being whole again, due to a frozen knee and also nerve damage to my leg that prevents muscle development. I have been following hard-ish (for me) ice and mixed climbs all winter, but still not whole enough to lead. I think this is mainly a mental crux, which has ALWAYS been my problem - even when I wasn't hurt and rock climbed a bunch in the Red. Has anyone else experienced this lack of courage after an injury? what to do?
I climb regularly for only a few months a year. Ive probably taken 5 months completely off every year for the last five or six. Bouldering comes back in a couple weeks. Sport climbing not so much, but then I don't really sport climb. I'm a better trad climber than I've ever been.
I have taken off the past 6 years- climbing just a few times a year, not really enough to maintain any degree of fitness. This layoff has occurred at the same time as aging into my forties. I still dream of coming back, and I am going to give it hell. With a motivated training partner and a treadwall I still have delusions of grandeur.
"It really is all good ! My thinking only occasionally calls it differently..."
Normie
