America is home to some of the most breathtaking mountain ranges that people can climb. For those living in cities like Denver, CO, climbing the Rockies is often a bucket list item. Of course, if you go at it on your own, with zero prep, you might soon be searching for the nearest emergency chiropractic in Denver.
That’s no joke, by the way. As the Denver Integrated Spine Center notes, chiropractors typically offer treatment for sports injuries, spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and more. The kind of injuries you’ll see from trying to solo climb mountains can often warrant such treatment.
Climbing solo is risky, but at the same time, it’s one of the best experiences that a person can enjoy. In this article, let’s find out how to stay safe, especially on those steeper climbs.
The Psychology and Reality of Going Solo
Going alone on a hill sharpens your awareness. With no chatter, your ears tune into wind and rock, and every decision carries your undivided attention. You know there’s no one to point out mistakes or save you if something bad happens. This is a good thing because you don’t become complacent, which often happens in groups.
Just recently, on the Hasta la Vista Amichi route in Colorado, a rock climber fell 200 feet to his death. While the identity of the victim was not revealed, CBS News reported that the individual was climbing with two other people. This can happen both at 200 feet as well as 2,000 feet. So, if you feel like climbing in groups is safer, just remember that it doesn’t make you immune to accidents.
That said, while you may move more cautiously as a solo climber, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by your thoughts. One useful tactic is creating pre-climb checklists that you talk through out loud. This stops you from ruminating and serves as a substitute for the corrective voice a climbing partner might give.
Prepare Your Body for the Environment
While small hills shouldn’t be too much of a problem, high altitude does bring unique demands on the body. The lower oxygen levels can start to affect your aerobic performance, which means your fuel source matters a lot. Carbohydrates provide more efficient energy than fats when oxygen is limited, making them essential for endurance.
One study published on Frontiers recommended carbohydrate intake to be around 3 to 5 grams per kilo of body weight. Likewise, the minimum protein supply should be 1.4 grams per/kilo of bodyweight.
It goes without saying that hydration is equally critical because altitude accelerates fluid loss, and thirst often lags behind dehydration. Age is also a factor, as older climbers often experience slower acclimatization and reduced aerobic capacity, but that doesn’t close the door on solo attempts.
Some time back, the Guardian featured the story of Zou Heping, a 70-year-old man from Chongqing, China. Heping, who works 10 hours a day, has been climbing the famous Gele Mountain every day for 15 years. Rather than taking the official path with steps, he challenges himself by imitating the way animals climb by frog-jumping his path up the mountain.
If Heping can do this at 70, then why not you? Heping is not the exception as well. Many experienced climbers are in their fifties and sixties because they compensate for raw energy with consistency, technique, and pacing.
That said, whether young or old, if an accident occurs, you need to know how to survive, especially on your own.
Risk, Response, and the Edge of Self-Reliance
The core of solo climbing lies in how you respond when things go wrong. Falls, sprains, or altitude sickness can escalate quickly when no one else is there. Do you know how to splint your own ankle, stop bleeding with a clotting agent, or use a thermal blanket efficiently? These are critical steps that every climber must know.
Dr. Della Giustina from Yale Medicine recommends the following items to go into a first-aid kit: bandages, tape, and antibiotic ointment. EpiPens, splints, water disinfections, and warm clothing.
A solo climber also faces what might be the hardest decision: whether to stay put and treat or move despite injury. This decision triage is rarely discussed but is critical. Practicing scenarios in advance can help. For example, rehearse how you would drag yourself to a safer location or how you’d ration food if movement is impossible.
Training under stress is a final layer of preparation. Panic can erase memory, so drilling first aid skills until they become reflexive is vital.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is the best solo climber in the world?
Most people would point to Alex Honnold as the best solo climber alive. His rope-free ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite made him a legend. That said, “best” can be subjective since solo climbing pushes personal limits differently for everyone.
2. Is solo climbing safe?
Safe isn’t the first word most climbers would use for solo climbing. It carries higher risks since you’re on your own if anything goes wrong. With training, preparation, and caution, you can reduce dangers, but it’s never going to be risk-free.
3. What is the difference between free climbing and solo climbing?
Free climbing means using ropes and safety gear but relying only on your hands and feet for upward movement, not pulling on the rope. Solo climbing simply means climbing without a partner. When done ropeless, it becomes free soloing, which is far more dangerous.
At the end of the day, climbing solo doesn’t hand you the same comfort that comes with a rope team or a partner waiting at camp. What it does offer is clarity. The mountain forces you to strip away illusions and measure yourself against the environment, moment by moment, which is part of the appeal.