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Date Submitted: 01/05/2014 04:45 PM
Journal of Excellence – Issue No. 8
Burke & Orlick 42
Mental Strategies of Elite Mount Everest Climbers
Shaunna Burke and Terry Orlick, University of Ottawa
Shaunna Burke was a former member of the Quebec alpine ski team, represented Canada at the World University Games, was on a skiing scholarship at Sierra Nevada College (U.S.A.), completed her Master’s degree with Terry Orlick, is now pursuing a Doctorate in Sport Psychology at the University of Ottawa and currently training to climb Mount Everest in the spring of 2004. Email: shaunnaburke@hotmail.com Terry Orlick is a performance and life enhancement specialist with the School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada K1N 6N5 Email: excel@zoneofexcellence.com
Abstract
This study explored the mental strategies used by elite Mount Everest climbers to prepare for and overcome obstacles while climbing the mountain. Individual interviews were carried out with 10 elite climbers who successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest. High altitude climbing differs from many other pursuits because of the constant threat of danger and potential death. Common strategies of success were identified, as well as factors that created the greatest challenges on the mountain. This study provided meaningful insights into how these elite high altitude climbers mentally prepared for the climb and maintained an effective focus on the mountain. The main areas addressed include detailed planning, mental toughness, focusing, mental imagery, short-term goal setting and belief in one’s capacities. This article presents practical suggestions that can be applied by other high altitude climbers, or anyone else in pursuit of a big vision or extremely difficult goal.
Introduction
The number of athletes partaking in extreme sports is continually rising (Shoham, 2000). Extreme sports, such as high altitude climbing, deep sea diving, and skydiving include a high level of physical risk. In such sports, the...