Bear Grylls tells of Andreas Hinterstoisser who, in 1938, was climbing the North face of the Eiger. To cross a previously impassable section of rock he used his body as a pendulum to swing across. This climbing technique became known as the ‘Hinterstoisser Traverse’; apparently it’s still used today.
Grylls says: ‘We all face obstacles in life that seem impassable. Whether big or small, at work, in relationships, with finances, or health. Everyone is battling with something.’
He says that when faced with such difficulties or challenges the temptation is to try old familiar strategies. ‘Sometimes the smart thing to do is to stop and think and amend.’ We may need to try something completely different… our personal Hinterstoisser Traverse.
On our local news last night we saw Kieron Williamson. I remember the BBC featuring him when he was a seven-year-old lad from a humble Norfolk home. His paintings then were selling for thousands of pounds. They called him the ‘Mini-Monet’. By the time he was ten his paintings had sold for an estimated £1.5m. Last night’s programme showed him now a twenty-two-year-old millionaire, still humble, still enjoying his painting.
I wondered what it would be like to be a parent – or a teacher – faced with a talent like Kieron’s. Something different would be required for his parenting, in his schooling, that recognises his unique talents and needs. A (An?) Hinterstoisser Traverse is required.
Musing on New Year’s Resolutions… At my age and stage of life I don’t want anything that requires radical change, the significantly different. No personalised Hinterstoisser Traverse for me, thank you.
Then this morning I read about Abraham. God says, ‘Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.’ It’s time for a fresh start, radical change. A little later in the narrative I’m told ‘Abraham was seventy-five years old when he set out…’ That’s me in a few months!
So perhaps my 2025 Hinterstoisser Traverse shouldn’t be ruled out!
malcolmsmusings.org 
It’s been said Malcolm, ” If you’re not dead, you’re not done. ” Age is merely a number. Remember Caleb and Joshua? They were almost as old as I am now 😄
Keep on keeping on for Him brother. The joy is in the journey, and the adrenaline in navigating Hinterstoisser Traverses along the way in His strength for His glory.
Keep Looking Up ^ . . . His Best is Yet to Come!
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Thanks, Fred. I’m happy to enjoy the journey, at a steadier pace these days, feet firmly on the ground. It’s the thought of a pendulum swing through the air, on the end of a rope slightly unnerved me!
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What a brilliant post, Malcolm! I love that you are not ruling out the Hinterstoisser traverse – and are encouraging us to do the same! Happy New Year!
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I thought of you as I wrote this, Wynne, knowing that you’d probably know much more about it than I do. I just loved the Bear Grylls parallel and lesson for us all. Swinging on the end of a rope sounds bad enough. I can’t imagine what it must have been like doing it for the first time – as an experiment!
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And the North Face of the Eiger is legendary for the problems it presents! I loved this post!
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Malcolm, one thing I’ve learned about God-we can’t ever rule anything out! 🙃
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…Which isn’t very helpful when we think that we know best. God’s annoying habit is to show us that we don’t!
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Yes, He has shown me that a lot!
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There seem to be a growing number of bloggers over the age of sixty who are writing their first books. So, we never know where God’s providence will lead us. It’s certainly beneficial to have an open frame of mind and to trust in God like Abraham. 🙂
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The opportunity is certainly there, Nancy
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This is both interesting and inspiring, Malcolm. Your last paragraph resonates with me, too… I wonder what this new year will bring! Bless your journey!
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It’s strange isn’t it Karen. Whatever our hope or fears for 2025 we really don’t know what it will be like!
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