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The most dangerous time of your life!!? 17-Mar-2012 At 8:25:47 AM Pat

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I have been climbing for 31 years. When I was young I was stupid and used to blurt about how driving to the crag was the most dangerous thing I did. But at the time I was full of myself and insecure (bad combo) - I think that all the talk was actually trying to deny my fear when I climbed. Now I realise a few things differently:

1. I was such a bad driver it really was the most dangerous thing I did on a day at the cliffs.

2. Every day climbing can potentially be a dangerous day and the consequences are serious - consequently I am very careful and with a fair bit of experience under my belt (but always still learning) I can mitigate most of the risk and can accept that risk that I can't eliminate.

3. In light of all in point 2, now that I am older, balding and wear a cardigan without shame, driving is the most dangerous thing that I do because of the other drivers on the road. For example - last long weekend going to the Gramps actually squeezed off the road twice by trucks (for the first time ever). Maybe I should get a beige Camry sedan and put a tissue box on the back shelf.

So climbing is dangerous, but at my level managable, driving can be dangerous, there are some aspects that I can't control - but life in Australia is a teeny bit safer than Mogadishu.