A sport psychologist’s perspective on the mental preparation required for high-altitude trekking

Abstract

The adventure tourism industry has been growing fast and many individuals seem to be seeking lifetime and meaningful experiences by challenging themselves in outdoor adventure activities across the globe. However, for such experiences to be positive, individuals must be adequately prepared to face the associated challenges. Applying psychological skills such as imagery, self-talk, and relaxation techniques, traditionally used in sport psychology to enhance athletes' performance, may be critical. To better understand the potential application of sport psychology-based skills in meeting the unique demands of trekking at high-altitude, an autoethnography was undertaken by an experienced sport psychologist and academic, who trekked up Kilimanjaro as part of an organised adventure tourism group. Data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis to better understand outdoor adventure travel experiences from a sports psychologist’s perspective. This study highlights the importance of identifying what skills may help the novice adventurer feel more prepared to undertake high-altitude trekking. Moreover, this study highlights how psychological characteristics, such as mental toughness and resilience, developed during adventure travel may generalise to everyday life.