[scryder]

While it may be difficult for someone in their 50s, I found indoor rock climbing, particularly bouldering and top-rope climbing, helped a great deal with a mild personal fear of heights, because it breaks old negative associations with heights.

I found top-rope climbing quickly acclimates people to heights, because it repeatedly puts you in situations where you are constantly in high places 5-30 feet off the ground, suspended by ropes, in a situation you're having fun. Having tied all your own knots so that you know they're good, having the ability to ascend gradually and have someone lower you if you get too nervous, having someone below encouraging you and ready to catch you with friction tools ensuring even if you let go of the wall, you just stay suspended at your current height, and getting a better physical sense for one's body as a physical, gravitational object, quickly get you used to being in the air in a context where you're actually having fun, which strongly helps break the fear.

Bouldering, rock climbing on walls without ropes about 5-12 feet in height over thickly-padded floors, accomplishes many of the same goals, and also accustoms and trains you to fall safely and trust in your balance and strength when up high. It's also easier to get started as a beginner, as all you need are rock climbing shoes and a gym.

[accountofme]

I agree with the parent poster in regards to top roping, but I will add one thing: climb up 8 or more meters and let yourself fall about a meter allowing the rope to jolt you when it takes your weight. The subsequent adrenaline rush will make you lose your fear. I can go from freaking out to smashing climbs in about 5 minutes :)

As a note: be safe if you do this -- get an experienced climber to belay you. I do not take any responsibility for any harm this could cause.

Cheers