Paper short abstract:

This paper explores the way in which thresholds are defined, modified and extended through the of high-risk climbing styles. This is examined through the willingness of climbers to participate in climbs that are anticipated to be unpleasant and dangerous yet still considered to have an existential payoff.

Paper long abstract:

For climbers, risk is an unfixed proposition. Climbers will hone their skill, knowledge and physical prowess in order to confront the challenges of vertical terrain. This ability grants a greater perceptual, strategic and tactical appreciation of the nature of the risks both prior to the climb and in the depths of its immersion. Viewed as edgework - the sociology of voluntary risk-taking - these abilities bring clarity to where this edge lies - to just how close the boundary between life and death is. But through increases in climbing ability, the risks are also modified. The once difficult ascent becomes easy. A mountain that seemed imposing becomes accessible. The breach of these thresholds reveals new horizons that extend deeper out into the mountains. Yet, much of this practice is not immediately enjoyable. Climbers refer to this in a system known as the 'three types of fun'. Sometimes climbs are fun while you are doing them. In others they are fun once you have finished doing them. In others still, they are not fun while doing them, or after, but they were still worth doing. It is the purpose here then, to explore the latter two of these stages to explain why they constitute worthwhile experiences to participants. This will draw from eighteen months of ethnographic immersion within high-risk climbing styles to explore the crossing of these thresholds.