The story behind the headline

You’ve probably encountered the six-word story often attributed to Ernest Hemingway: For sale: baby shoes, never worn.

Its power lies not in what it tells us, but in our gift for wrapping facts into a story.

I recently discovered a much less literary treasure trove of very brief yet compelling stories: headlines in the American Alpine Club’s annual reports on climbing accidents. Here’s one from the 2021 edition:

Lowering Error: Rope Too Short. Complacency.

Like that baby shoes story, this one is six words, but I can almost play out an entire movie from it, or at least an entertaining campfire yarn. Spoiler alert: the climber survived.

Fortunately, when that doesn’t happen, the accident report headline gives a signal: “Fatal” or “Fatality.” Those are blessedly rare. Mostly, these are cautionary tales, many of them told by climbers who survived and were willing to examine what went wrong.

Here are a few that might fall into that territory:

Montana: Fall on Ice: Exceeding Abilities; Ego Pressure

Oregon: Stranded: Climbing Alone

Colorado: Fall on Rock: Off Route, Exceeding Abilities

California: Lowering Error. Complacency. No Stopper Knot

North Carolina: Climbing Alone. Exhaustion.

Each headline describes the event. But it also names the human tendency behind it: ego, exhaustion, complacency, uncertainty, the decision to go alone.

I’m not a rock climber and never will be. These books were left by our son, whose early career path included a stint in outdoor education. But I’m glad the people who love this dangerous sport pay such close attention to accidents — not just telling the story but analyzing how things could have gone better.

Sometimes, they are especially gratifying to read. In the Montana case, “W,” the 18-year-old climber who admitted to exceeding his abilities and also to “ego pressure,” gives a forthright account of his poor decisions:

“… I subconsciously believed that, because I hadn’t fallen before, I wouldn’t fall this time. In spite of several recent accidents in the community, I seemed to think I was somehow different and invulnerable. Equally influential was my ego and desire to be respected by those around me….”

The young man even includes a list of his mistakes, like “my refusal to establish a safety net.”

W.’s fall could have been serious, but thanks to the quick response of his fellow climbers and rescuers, he escaped with broken bones in his ankle, an injury that would heal.

Later, W. wrote: “Reflecting on the accident, I see how much worse it could have been. I am so grateful for the medical training of my rescuers and their calm and efficient response.”

That sounds like an 18-year-old who has done some important work reflecting on his errors.

There are many ways to learn the big lessons life has in store for us. Most of us will never hang from a protruding boulder or face that awkward moment when we discover our rope is too short. But ego, complacency, exhaustion, and uncertainty are familiar terrain.

So is the need to look back honestly and ask: What happened? What part did I play? What will I do differently next time?

Here’s one more report worth considering. It comes from Colorado:

Stranded: Unsure of Descent Route.

Ouch. Haven’t we all discovered that feeling at some point in our lives?

Short headlines; big stories. And important lessons, whatever mortal journey we are on.

What stories, and lessons, can your life tell in just a few words?

Slow learner. Caught up fast.

Left home. Wandered. Found home again.

Stranded. Asked for directions.

A headline never tells the whole story. But it can help us see the stories worth telling and point toward the lessons they can teach.

As we ponder our stories, I hope we will be as open to fresh insights into our actions as the young ego-driven climber who accepted with good grace what his fall taught him about vulnerability, humility, preparation, community, and gratitude.

Here’s an idea for a summer day: Try writing a brief headline for one turning point in your life. Say what happened, but also what you learned.

Please share!