This is the first in a new weekly series, so why not A? Hey, this is Andy
Kirkpatrick...
M is for MOTIVATION
There are many reasons for failure, but probably the greatest factor is the loss of motivation. Motivation can be easily lost due to innumerable factors, both within and without the climber.
The climbers psyche is directly affected by how their body is coping, or not coping with their environment. So firstly you must protect your body if you're to keep physically and mentally motivated.
The aim here is not to stay 'dry' and 'warm', because neither is achievable in Scotland 100% of the time unless you spend it in bars and cafes. The aim is to remain comfortable, being neither too hot nor too cold.
This is best achieved by having a sound understanding of your clothing system (layers or single windproof layer/pile layer) and your own body, able to regulate both according to the work ahead. Stripping layers before high energy output, and putting layers on when faced with long static periods.
If you can stay comfortable in most conditions you will feel less oppressed by your environment, and suffer far less weather depression and panic, both killers of motivation. And perhaps the most important physical factor is knowing how to do this and making sure you TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.
So, never letting yourself slip into a negative state, whether that means you're dancing on your belay ledge to stay warm, or telling each other jokes through some enforced bivi below the Shelter Stone.
Being fit enough for the task at hand, and having enough reserves to see the day through, both add to your physical and mental motivation. Also being able to draw on past experiences, either your own or another (is a good reason for learning your climbing history), allows you to draw strength from how you/others dealt with such situations.
Suffering is all relative, and as Buddha said, "all existence is suffering" so just get on with it.
My final advice is just keep taking photos and think about the stories you could tell!
