How to use fear as a driving force: tips from climbing icon Alexander Huber

Alexander Huber, known as the Huberbuam with his brother Thomas, is one of the best climbers in the world. He hardly has to deal with the topic of “fear” like hardly anyone. Now he provides a guide that shows how to use your fears as a driving force.

You don't have to become an extreme athlete to be allied with fear. But it is worth leaving the comfort zone and taking a risk. Because if we can allow our fear, it will make our lives richer. Extreme climber Alexander Huber experiences this phenomenon on his own tours.

“I hang on my fingertips without a rope or a safety device in a vertical wall. Fear enables concentration because every grip has to be right - fear is not my weakness, it is my best friend. It drives us, protects, warns, brakes and guides us. "

Alexander Huber
Alexander Huber at the Schleier waterfall. (Photo Heinz Zak)

In "The fear, your best friend“Alexander Huber conveys that fear is only a bad advisor if you don't deal with it. But if you do, she becomes a friend, directs decisions in the right direction and sharpens the eye for the essentials.

The book with new contributions by the mountain guide and psychologist Jan Mersch, will be available from March 12, 2020.

About the climbing professional Alexander Huber

Alexander Huber, born in 1968, is a certified mountain and ski guide, climbing professional and qualified physicist. He and his older brother Thomas are known as the Huberbuam. Alexander Huber is one of the most successful all-round mountaineers in the world and skilfully masters the free-solo style, climbing without ropes and belaying.

In 2008 he was awarded the Bavarian Sports Prize in the "Ambassador of Bavarian Sports" category. The Huberbuam received the Bavarian Film Prize for their documentary “Am Limit”. Alexander Huber lives with his family in Traunstein.

More details at huberbuam.de

+ + +
Credits: Cover picture Jan Vincent Little

News

Jacob Cook, Hayden Jamieson and Will Sharp free climb the 1000 meter Aid route for the first time

First free ascent: Jacob Cook, Hayden Jamieson and Will Sharp free the Bigwall Aid route Picaflor (1000m, 8a+) on Cerro Capicua.

Many more foreign people have fatal accidents

Mountain emergency statistics 2023: In the Swiss Alps last year, 3501 people were in distress and 114 people had fatal accidents.

Seb Berthe repeats Trad masterpiece Bon Voyage (9a)

Seb Berthe secures the third ascent of Bon Voyage in Annot, probably the most difficult trad route in the world.

Elias Iagnemma climbs Burden of Dreams (9A)

Elias Iagnemma repeats Burden of Dreams in Lappnor and secures the fourth ascent of the world's first 9A boulder.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter now and stay up to date.

Jacob Cook, Hayden Jamieson and Will Sharp free climb the 1000 meter Aid route for the first time

First free ascent: Jacob Cook, Hayden Jamieson and Will Sharp free the Bigwall Aid route Picaflor (1000m, 8a+) on Cerro Capicua.

Many more foreign people have fatal accidents

Mountain emergency statistics 2023: In the Swiss Alps last year, 3501 people were in distress and 114 people had fatal accidents.

Seb Berthe repeats Trad masterpiece Bon Voyage (9a)

Seb Berthe secures the third ascent of Bon Voyage in Annot, probably the most difficult trad route in the world.