learned trauma
Climber Tommy Caldwell Pushed His Kidnapper Off A Cliff. Here's What He Learned From The Experience
In 2000, the climber Tommy Caldwell and three others were kidnapped in Kyrgyzstan. They escaped when Caldwell pushed a guard off a cliff.
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The Lede
In "The Devil's Climb," a National Geographic documentary, the famed rock climbers Tommy Caldwell and Alex Honnold ("Free Solo") break a world record by climbing a treacherous Alaskan mountain in under 12 hours. One incident, in particular, came to mind: the time he and three other climbers were kidnapped in Kyrgyzstan and held hostage for six days.
Key Details
- Caldwell's group went without food or water for the entire time. Then, he saw an opportunity for escape: The kidnappers split up and Caldwell pushed the guard off a cliff.
- Looking back, Caldwell believes his childhood set him up to handle difficult situations such as the kidnapping more calmly — specifically by managing his emotions and making quick decisions.
- One of Caldwell's takeaways was that people who cope with trauma the best are the ones who find ways to regain control in a dangerous situation.
