Hey nice pics Quercus!! Looks like fun. I need to get back on something out here. Thinkin about taking my new lady friend out to fossil falls for the day and setting up some rappels and top-roped climbs. She seems adventurous so it should be interesting.
Hah, that's too bad about the girl freaking out. When I was an instructor, we had about 10 different areas bolted for specific climbs up on our rock course. Every now and then we got youngsters ( and even some adults ) they'd scramble right up to the top, and call it out then just freeze, or totally freak out.
In our training intro we demonstrate leaning back into rappel position and have them do it on a trainer, but when they get all the way up there it's different.
We'd usually give em 10 or 15 mins and try to talk them through it, but alot of times I ended up having to tie off my belay and pass it to my partner; and ascend up to where they were to calm 'em down.
Usually once you're there next to them, talking really calmly and looking completely unconcerned then they relax a bit. Put your arm around their waist and *leaaaaan baaaack* talking them through it. Then start rappelling side by side.
Has an amazing effect on their trust issues. Usually when they get to the bottom they wanna go again right away to show they aren't afraid anymore. I loved workin with people.
