Lions, Tigers, Bears, Oh My!
To be honest, I don't know why I'm writing this, publicly announcing things that scare me. What's the point, really? Writing about my fears won't make them go away, and neither has the fact that I've faced them all on many occasions.
But most of us tend to admit our fears to our friends, family, and even strangers. Maybe there's comfort in knowing we aren't the only ones.
There's also comfort in being understood. I've often been helped--emotionally, psychologically, and even sometimes physically--by telling those around me that I'm afraid and finding out that they don't think I'm "just being silly."
So, you want to know what scares me? Okay, well, since you asked....
I Have A Fear Of Exposure
No, I don't mean taking my clothes off.
Although, I should probably be afraid of that too.But I'm talking about being on the edge of a long way down, which is where I've been countless times while hiking. On one occasion, I was so paralyzed by fear while backpacking in Grand Canyon, my trail-mate had to retrace his steps to where I was standing, frozen, and let me hold onto his backpack as he walked right in front of me. We took baby steps for at least half a mile, as I stared at his feet and we played memory games to keep my mind off of ... well ... death.
We were on a Search and Rescue mission, actually, hiking part of the Tonto Trail between Grapevine Canyon and Cottonwood Creek (west of Horseshoe Mesa), if you're familiar with the area. Along this section, there are stretches where the trail is right on the edge of several hundred feet of sheer cliff, without any visual barriers like rocks or vegetation to make it at least seem not so dangerous. I mean, one slip and ... bye-bye.
Whenever I come to an exposed stretch of trail, be it for ten feet or a mile, I'm very afraid. And I try to avoid such exposure on my hikes as much as possible. Still, it doesn't stop me from walking trails or diminish my love of hiking or backpacking ... or stop me from wondering why the heck they have to put those trails so close to the edge!
Acrophobia and Altophobia both mean fear of heights, but I don't think that's what I have, because I don't mind being up high. I just don't like to be on the edge of those high-up places.
More information on Acrophobia
Photo Credit: Stock.xchg / Creative Commons License
I'm Afraid Of Speed
As in, going really fast
I just learned that this fear has a name: Tachophobia. Definitely put me down for this one. Which is why I don't enjoy downhill skiing, driving on freeways where the speed limit is 75 mph, riding a galloping horse, or flying down long hills on a bicycle.Whenever I get going too fast--or feel like I am, anyway--I feel out of control, as if I could wipe out at any moment. And that kind of thinking can only get me into trouble ... which it has.
There was the time I started flying downhill on cross country skis and, just from fear, hit the ground hard. It's amazing I didn't break anything, the way I landed with arms, legs and skis a tangled mess, and it wasn't like I had to fall either. If I'd have kept calm, I would have stayed upright.
Then there was the spectacular dive I took off a skateboard when I was a kid, as I was rolling fast down the big hill in my neighborhood. And the road burns and bloody scrapes were spectacular, too. Needless to say, that was the last time I ever got on a skateboard.
More information on Tachophobia
This is more my speed.
I'm Really Scared Of Lightning
Meaning, being outdoors while it's popping
I guess I have Astraphobia too. Dang! But there's no doubt about it, when I hear that first rumble, my pulse quickens and I look around for where I can hide from the several hundred million volts that are sure to follow. Which is why I was darn scared almost daily for a couple of months while hiking the Appalachian Trail. It seemed like nearly every summer day was visited by a thunderstorm and always right where I happened to be.And most of those storms are etched in my memory, including the time I had to throw down my pack and metal trekking poles and assume the "please don't fry me!" position, crouched on my heels in the pouring rain as the lightning crashed all around. Fun stuff, huh?
I know I said before that I don't like going fast, but just add lightning to the mix, and you'll see me hike faster'n a cheetah on speed!
More information on Astraphobia
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons by Evdaimon
Lightning Safety
Want to know what to do and what not to do if caught in a thunderstorm while outdoors, when shelter is too far away?
Here's a list of lightning safety tips I put together.
I'm Afraid Of The Dark Outdoors
Or being alone in it, anyway
For me, it's not really Lygophobia--fear of darkness--because I'm just fine indoors or even outdoors when I'm with other people. It's being all by my lonesome in the dark in the great outdoors that gets me all panicky. Matter of fact, I get the heebie-jeebies even if I have a flashlight when I'm alone at night in the woods (or the desert or a canyon). That little bit o' light makes very little difference.Oh, heck, you dragged it out of me; I still get nervous even when I have company at night outdoors, if it's just one other person. I mean, if it's just one person, they can only be on one side of me at a time, so that leaves three other sides exposed to the boogie monster, right? Yes, I have quite the imagination.
So it makes a whole lot of sense that I'm often traipsing around at night with one other SAR-mate, looking for the lost and missing (and over my shoulder). Just don't tell my teammates that Deb is a weenie.
Seriously, though, my fear is partially based on not knowing what I'll find when I'm out there, until I'm right on top of it ... or him or her. On one occasion, the find wasn't good, and that sudden shock--though over soon afterward--has stuck with me, I guess.
More information on Lygophobia
Photo Credit: Stock.xchg / Creative Commons License
I Have A Fear Of Quads
The kind you drive, not the kind you flex
Also known as 4-wheelers, ATVs, and ORVs, quads and I don't get along well. And I wouldn't be driving them at all if it weren't for my volunteer work with Search and Rescue. In SAR, quads come in handy on unpaved Forest Service roads and rough two-tracks, where we often have to search for lost backcountry travelers and patrol the perimeter of an area where someone is missing.I'm just not comfortable on those heavy beasts, which I feel are determined to tip over with me on and then under them. I'm okay putt-putting along on flat terrain, but when those rocky, rutted back roads cause the machine to pitch to one side or another or angle steeply up or down, I lose all confidence. And that's when I get myself into trouble, often hitting the brake when I really should be giving the thing more gas.
I can't seem to find a fancy phobia name for this one, though. I guess maybe it's too silly to have one.
Photo Credit: Stock.xchg / Creative Commons license
And I'm Extremely Scared Of Bees
And anything else with a stinger
I have a very good reason for having Apiphobia, though. When I was about twelve years old, I was attacked by a swarm of yellow jackets and stung several hundred times, head to toe. Thankfully, I wasn't allergic and, as far as I know, I'm still not. But with that many stings, I blew up like a red balloon and was in extreme pain for days. Then, when the pain subsided, I was one massive itch.Not two weeks later, I was stung up the back of both legs by hornets.
Needless to say, when I hear a buzz, be it one fuzzy bumble bee (harmless, so they say) or a hive full of bees, hornets, wasps or yellow jackets, I break out into a cold sweat. I know they have their place in the world, but just keep those nasty stinging things away from me!
More information on Apiphobia
Facing our Fears
Do You Face Your Fears Or Avoid Them?
When you're afraid of something, do you tend to make yourself face it head on, or do you avoid it at all costs?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byI try to confront my fears.
Irenemaria says:
The older I get the more scary situations I have lived through. And I am still here!
I am still scared of evil men thou....
Posted December 14, 2009
MysticTurtle says:
I try to go ahead through my fears. And look what it's gotten me.....lots of experiences, and not much else.
Posted November 24, 2009
HorseAndPony says:
I face them. I think some of my fears are exciting and some are silly.
Posted November 08, 2009
winstngwaf says:
First of stupidly i look for ways arround it but if that makes it harder i take it by the bulls
Posted November 04, 2009
If I'm afraid of something, I don't want anything to do with it.
prosperity66 says:
Er.. yes, I tend to run away in the opposite direction :D
Posted November 05, 2009
Want To Know The Formal Names Of Fears?
Check out this huge
Phobia List
Or you can look up the phobia name by the fear on the
Reverse Phobia List
What Are You Afraid Of?
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Reply
- Spook Spook Dec 6, 2009 @ 11:30 am
- We must be twins, except for the quad, no fear of bikes, nosireeeeeeee, but speed yes. Merry Xmas.Blessed by an Angel.
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Reply
- divacratus divacratus Nov 25, 2009 @ 5:40 pm
- I am scared of heights! Yikes.
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Reply
- MysticTurtle MysticTurtle Nov 24, 2009 @ 2:38 pm
- I'm afraid of failure, looking silly, and giving in to my fears. Oh, and walking down a steep hill with loose gravelly dirt. Geez, will I EVER get over that fall?
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Reply
- Ramkitten Ramkitten Nov 24, 2009 @ 2:41 pm
- Ooo, I should add that last one to my list, too! I've had several of "those" falls, so now I go down hills like that very, very slowly, thinking I'm going down at any moment. I'm used to looking silly, though.
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Reply
- saritajain86 saritajain86 Nov 23, 2009 @ 5:01 am
- I fear height and water...
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A Bit More About Me
Lensmaster Ramkitten has been a member since December 7 2008, has rated 2,448 lenses, favorited 198, and has created 111 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "100 Things I'm Thankful For". See all my lenses
My Bio
I'm glad you've stopped by! So what's with the Ramkitten thing, you ask? Well, that's my trail name in the long-distance backpacking community (and now just about everywhere else), but you can call me Deb if you'd like.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail was the greatest experience of my life, and I have plans for more long-distance treks in the future. That's me in the photo, celebrating at the official end of the A.T., excited about the accomplishment, looking forward to being home again, but a little sad inside, too, because an amazing journey has come to an end. That was in 2000 but feels like yesterday, as I remember everything in such detail. That's often how it is when you're moving through life at no more than 3 miles per hour along the simplicity of a trail.
Anyhow, I'm originally from Rhode Island but now live in Flagstaff, Arizona with my mustached man, Steve, and beloved pooch, Sassafrass Tea (or Sassy, for short). I'm a Search & Rescue volunteer (love it!) and a writer of both fiction and non-. In late 2008, I began working on my own internet-based business, selling pre-equipped 24-hour packs for hikers and other outdoorsy folks. And, as a 40th birthday gift to myself, I quit my "real job" in favor of doing things I truly enjoy on a full-time basis.
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- Hiking My Way to a Novel
On September 25th, 2000, I completed a six-month journey from one end of the Appalachian Trail to the other, a 2,175-mile walk from Georgia to Maine otherwise known as a thru-hike. Along the way, I embarked on another type of journey, a creative adve... view lens -
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- A Man Called "Screamer"
Standing thirty feet away or thirty inches, he spoke in the same loud voice. That's why we called him Screamer. "We" were hikers on the Appalachian Trail. Each year, millions of people use those 2,175 miles of footpath extending from Georgia to Main... view lens
by Ramkitten
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