Climbing is no different from any other activity to the extent that fear can be a huge barrier or, if used properly, a significant ledge upon which we can launch our favorite outdoor activity.
Fear can play a significant part in our everyday lives. Fear on the job, as a spouse or parent, or even driving can hold us back and prevent us from achieving our goals. Likewise, fear of climbing and everything it brings with it, can hold us back.
Just as preparation and training of your body is essential to be a safe and successful climber, so to must you prepare your mind. Strength and balance are good and useful, but even more important is an accurate understanding of the challenges and dangers. Only then will you be able to deal with them. Like life itself, if we know and understand our fears we are then able to overcome them and go on to greater heights and challenges.
How do you deal with the fear? While the sport does involve equipment and support from fellow climbers, it still is just one person at a time in contact with the rock. And, unless you can deal with and understand that, you are setting yourself up for great disappointment.
Understand that...