The Emotional Aftershock of a Close Call in the Mountains

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Also referred to as a “near miss,” a close call in the mountains involves experiencing an unexpected event that had the potential to inflict serious physical injury, death, or damage, but no injury or damage occurs.

Notice that the above definition specifies physical injury.

An incident such as this can be psychologically jarring, particularly due to the sudden, unexpected nature. You do not have to be physically injured or experience a full-blown traumatic event for your nervous system to be kicked into overdrive.

Just as the physical body needs time to recover from high efforts in the mountains, the mind also needs time and space to process and integrate the experience.

In the aftermath of a close call, emotions can feel jumbled up, intense, and complex. Sometimes the emotions arise in waves or all at once.

Here are several common emotions that may arise following a close call:

Shame

Many individuals struggle with strong feelings of embarrassment or humiliation over decisions that may have led to the incident. It’s easy to fall into hindsight bias in these moments, so the outcome (which was unknown at the time) feels more predictable than it actually was.

Disappointment

This may stem from choices that were made during the incident, such as a decision to bail out on the larger adventure. Disappointment may also center around one’s actions during the close call (e.g., “I know I’m a better athlete than to do that; why didn’t I do something different?”).

Relief

There can be an immediate, intense rush of relief once the fight-or-flight system clocks that safety has been restored.

Depression

A close call can be followed by a period of sadness or low mood. This can look like loss of interest in activities that are typically enjoyed, tearfulness, low motivation, or feeling emotionally numb or flat.

Fear

Close calls are terrifying by nature. For many outdoor athletes, the mountains are a safe haven, providing a sense of peace. Experiencing an incident such as this can challenge core beliefs around safety, athletic ability, competence, and the ability to navigate risk. Some may start to question their desire to continue recreating in the outdoors, at least in the same ways.

Irritability

In the face of other intense emotions and heightened physiological activation, irritability is common. Everyday stressors may seem less tolerable, and small decisions can feel insurmountable. Overall, there may be a lower tolerance for frustration.

Conclusion

In the aftermath of a close call, it is important to allow space for emotions without trying to fix or judge them. This could look like journaling, talking with someone you trust, or allowing yourself time before making major decisions about what comes next. In recovery from an acute stressor, many individuals find that the intensity of their emotions and thoughts naturally decreases with time and opportunity to decompress and process.

If symptoms persist, intensify, or get in the way of daily functioning, consider reaching out to a mental health professional for support–particularly one with expertise in supporting the mental health needs of outdoor athletes.

To find a therapist, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.