I felt this way when I was on the roof trying to clear out the gutters.

I think it's not that I became more fearful of heights, I think it's because I subconsciously recognize the decline of my agility to respond in case I stumble rather than the height itself.

quote:

Originally posted by dlc444:
I can't get near to an edge of a potential fall.

When the family was in Hawaii late last year, I about pulled my son off a cliff on Kauai.

I haven't developed a height thing, but I can not bear to see other people near a hole or an edge. With the family business, I grew up around open manholes and cesspools. Working around them and watching others do the same. The last couple years I can't handle seeing anyone else stand near them. (I'm fine doing it) Current job, a couple weeks ago some bosses were struggling to open an electrical manhole cover that hadn't been off in ages. Knowing all the tricks I flipped it open easy for them, but they were puzzled when I had to walk away and kept my back to them while they did what they needed to do, I couldn't handle watching the three of them standing next to, looking down in the hole. Crazy stuff.

I'm not afraid of heights, per se, but I don't like being near an edge without a guard rail or bannister. I'm OK with heights as long as I'm confident that where I am is stable and safe. Ski lifts (I have done that), gondolas, and such are not a problem. I've never jumped from a plane, done a bungee jump, or rode a zip line, and am not likely ever to. I'd probably do a zip line, but they won't take anyone my weight. I don't do ladders any more (never liked them) because my balance is not good.

flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by Hamden106:
Heights never have and still do not bother me. But age has caused a huge decrease of physical ability to operate at height. In other words, I feel very insecure about my stability on roofs. I used to be a regular Tarzan. Not any more.

^^^This. I'm not "afraid" of heights, but I'm VERY aware of the fact that my balance isn't what it used to be and it takes me MUCH longer to heal. Why take the chance?

It sort of fluctuates with me. Never liked high Ferris wheels or high cable cars at amusement parks, but big roller coasters didn't bother me. I climbed a 40 ft. antenna tower to replace the antenna when I was in my early 20s without problem. Jumped out of an airplane twice at 2800 ft. a few years later, mostly to see if I could. I've been up Angels Landing in Zion half a dozen times without difficulty, the last time at age 60.

On the other hand, I've been uncomfortable at Glacier Point in Yosemite and even sitting next to the window on the 97th floor of the Hancock Center. A couple years ago I got antsy on the walkway of a lighthouse. I was 65, so maybe it is getting worse with age.

The OP describes me to a tee. First hit me hard on a drive over Trail Ridge Road. I was driving and when I got up above timberline its like the car was sitting on my chest. We stopped for pictures and told my wife I can't drive anymore. Wasn't any better as a passenger. In my youth I used to drive it all with no problems.

About a year ago , I tripped over a " parking log " and fell . Fractured my wrist . The Doctor told me " We're getting older , We don't heal as fast as we used to " .

In October 2021 my wife and I recreated the hike we took in October 1991 to the Shuckstack fire tower in the Appalachians of NC. I wanted so badly to climb the tower to the platform on which I proposed to her. But, we both only made it up two flights of rickety old wooden stairs. The first flight had no railing on the outer edge, and the height is magnified by being on top of a mountain. So, yes, my tolerance for heights has diminished. But, I can still hike up a ladder to clean out the gutters. Maybe it is that I am in more control on the ladder?

Pre teen years I was scared of heights, by around twelve I got over it,proved that by climbing the bottom two sections of a high tension transmission tower under construction.

In my twenties and thirties I was a volunteer Firefighter and at that time heights did not bother me. House before this one was a tri-level, had no problem scaling the roof on that one.

Fast forward to about fifteen years ago I started realizing that if I slid off it’s gonna hurt a lot more than when I was younger. Add that to age and medications I’m now on that can cause dizziness, very rarely do I go up a ladder.

Never been a fan of heights, but in weird ways I guess. I believe it is currently a balance issue as much as anything else. I find I am not nearly what you would call surefooted and often find myself hanging a toe on a crack or small lip in pavement.

I will do elevated catwalks, even the grated flooring variety, and have several times for work. I am also ok with crane platforms. I do not enjoy ladders at all. Even to a first floor roof is enough to have me quite nervous. Buddy wanted help framing a pole barn, setting rafters and cross beams. Pretty much hugged the pole once I made the top of the ladder. Definitely felt my legs shaking more than once.

I'm 61 and use to walk the 2x4 wall plates building my house, the first time I noticed was in the mandalay bay hotel walked up to the window edge in our room and my knees buckled, also have a fear scuba diving in real clear water, being 60 feet down looking up at surface freaks me out, but if the visibility is poor, I'm fine.

I think it just comes with age and your subconscious is telling you that you are no longer young and invincible and going to live forever.

The very thing you described happened to me with the big extreme type rollercoasters back in 2019 in Orlando. My 7, 17 or 27 year old self LOVED those things and couldn’t get enough of them. My 47 year old self found out they scared the ever-living SHIT out of me and did not enjoy them one bit.

I do now. For almost 20 years, I worked with a photographer who specialized in aerial photography. Twice a year we had to photograph the Miami and Fort Lauderdale boat shows from about 3000 feet. In a helicopter. With both doors off. The last year I worked it, we had incoming weather while we were at altitude. The photographer wanted to switch sides of the aircraft due to wind direction. Pilot wanted to land to do it. Photographer said we did not have the time. At 3k we did the switch with no doors and climbing over camera gear. It scared the living crap out of me. I almost froze like an iron worker.

We got the shot and I never sat in a helicopter again.

quote:

Originally posted by wolfe 21:
Never been a fan of heights, but in weird ways I guess. I believe it is currently a balance issue as much as anything else. I find I am not nearly what you would call surefooted and often find myself hanging a toe on a crack or small lip in pavement.

I hear you on that. I have no idea how old you are but the balance issue becomes more prevalent as we age. I have it and must live my life accordingly. I also think stumbling over things is just as much of an issue. IDK, maybe we tend to shuffle our feet more being a factor.

Yes- I had no concerns until I was in my 40’s and then slowly developed some enhanced self preservation traits. I’ll be 60 this year and try to stay off extension ladders and the roof etc.

I’ve never had anything like that happen.

I developed an aversion to flying (well landing really) but that was because of a particularly hard landing on a C-130.

Like a few of you, I was a rock climber in my teens/20s. No problems at all with heights, edges, or the possibility of falling a few hundred feet.

Fast-forward to today: Our new house is a split-level. On the single-story end of the house, no problem... I can work on the roof, set up/take down Christmas lights, etc.

On the two-story end? Not happening. I can't get within three feet of that edge without breaking into a sweat. Even working with a ladder on that side is uncomfortable. It's only a 9-foot difference to the ground, but the prospect of disabling injury or death seems so much more "real."

Back in the late 90’s I took a job at a place in northern Alabama called Little River Canyon; some here will be familiar with it. There are several unprotected sheer drop offs, some as much as 300’ or more. When I first got there it was as if the edge and I were both the same poles on magnets. I felt almost like i was being pushed back by an unseen force. After a couple of months I was able to stand right up to the edge after I realized no harm could come to me by merely standing next to a long way down.

I have always had a healthy respect for heights but have never been afraid of them- falling from them, perhaps but not the increase in altitude. With the proper safety items in place (railings, bombproof rescue gear, etc) I have no fear, no vertigo, nothing. At 56, if I inspected the gear and anchors, I would have no qualms about sitting back into a harness and rappelling down a big drop.