"I'm afraid of heights" is one of the most common fears encountered by climbers, especially beginners. The fear of heights and high places is a natural human fear. We're hard-wired to be afraid of heights for self-preservation. We instinctively know that if we fall from a high place that the result is not going to be good. That fear of heights, however, keeps you alive.

Can you go climbing if you're afraid of heights? And can you overcome that fear? Yes, you can. Read my new Climbing FAQ "How can I climb if I'm afraid of heights?" and find out the answers to those lofty questions. And remember...don't look down!

Photograph above: Don't try this if you're afraid of heights. Layton Kor rappels off Kor's Kastle after it's first ascent. Photograph © Stewart M. Green

"How can I go climbing if I'm afraid of falling?" is a frequently asked question (FAQ) by climbing novices. A fear of falling is a natural human instinct rooted in self-preservation. Fear of falling is one of those fears that keeps you alive in bad situations. We don't want to fall because if we do fall, we can be seriously injured or worse.

Why are we afraid to fall? and What happens when we fall while climbing? Read my new article How can I climb if I'm afraid of falling? in the Climbing FAQ section to find out the answers.

Here are a few of those answers: Learn and understand the climbing safety system. Trust your climbing equipment and belayer. Practice falling on a top-rope.

Now get out there and go climbing...and practice falling. Just remember--you've got to learn how to fall to learn how to fly!

Read more about climbing FAQs:
"How strong do I have to be to go rock climbing?"
"How can I rock climb if I'm afraid of heights?"

Photograph above: If you're going to fall climbing, make sure that you're tied in or you're falling off a sea cliff into the deep blue. Splashdown! Photograph © China Photos/Getty Images.

Rick Hitch, a 55-year-old climber from Roseville, California, died Sunday, May 1, on Mount Everest. Hitch, with the International Mountain Guides (IMG) team, collapsed on the way up to Camp 3. His guides tried to revive him for 45 minutes but to no avail, Rick never regained consciousness. His cause of death is unknown.

Hitch had already climbed six of the Seven Summits--Kilimanjaro (August 2008), Denali (June 2009), Aconcagua (February 2010), Mount Elbrus (July 2010), Mount Kosciuszko (October 2010), and Mount Vinson (December 2010)--and needed only to top Everest to complete his life list.

Hitch had trekked to Mount Everest base camp with his wife Loretta, who returned to California on April 12. She told the Folsom Telegraph: "We enjoyed all of our adventures together. He truly was my soul mate. I'm just so grateful for the three weeks I was able to share with him on this trek. It was an amazing adventure to do with him. He helped me and encouraged me along the way."

In his last blog post on April 26, Rich Hitch wrote: "Everything is just about on schedule and I am doing fine. Am reading a book about the beginnings of In & Out Burgers. It is very interesting. Yesterday we all got our oxygen masks and were given instructions on how to attach them to the bottles. Somehow that brought me to the realization that I am on Everest. Hope everything is going good for you folks back home, and thanks for following. If you see Loretta, give her a big HIGH FIVE, she was awesome."

Rick, rest in peace. You climbed a lot of big peaks but the big one eluded you.

Photograph above: Rick Hitch enjoys Everest Base Camp last month. Photograph courtesy Loretta Hitch

Best Easy Day Hikes Colorado Springs is my newest book to be released by my publisher Falcon Guides/Globe Pequot Press. The pocket-sized book explores 23 fun hikes in the mountains and foothills surrounding 14,115-foot Pikes Peak and Colorado Springs. The book is my fourth released this year!

With concise descriptions and detailed maps, Best Easy Day Hikes Colorado Springs guides hikers to all my favorite trails in the Pikes Peak region, including some relatively new ones as well as some that are unknown except to locals. Some of the best hikes include Spruce Mountain, an out-and-back trip in southern Douglas County; five hikes at scenic Garden of the Gods (great rock climbing there too!); Gray Back Peak, a lofty Front Range viewpoint; a couple excellent trails at Cheyenne Mountain State Park; and The Crags Trail, a perennial favorite on the west side of Pikes Peak.

If you're coming to the Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak region for some hiking and exploring adventures, then Best Easy Day Hikes Colorado Springs will get you outside in the mountains and on the trail quick and easy. If you're looking for a hiking and rock climbing guide to the area, then give me a holler at Front Range Climbing Company and we'll get you out hiking and climbing.