There’s no denying it: Over the weekend, more than 50 ski resorts shut down over coronavirus fears. Patagonia, REI, and VF Corp. (North Face and more) have closed their stores. The Centers for Disease Control has recommended no gatherings of more than 50 people. Covid-19 is real, and it’s here, and it’s affecting lives.
Airplane travel doesn’t look appealing, and social distancing takes the fun out of being in groups. On the other hand, alone in nature seems like just about the safest place to be. So, how are you responding to—and we can’t believe we’re actually using this phrase for real—the global pandemic?
Photo by Alex Gorham
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I’ve postponed treatment for a broken hand until it’s safe for a 61 y.o. to return to medical facilities. Not much recreating with a broken hand….
We are on Day 2 of lockdown in Spain and it’s tough to stay inside with the perfect spring weather.
Buy your bike trainer or hangboard now to endure the isolation!!
Well, I am in Spain so I am not even allowed to go outside to run or bike, so I guess I would say for now my adventure life falls on the ‘heavily affected’ side of the spectrum. But, as a friend put on instagram: our grandparents were called on to go to war. we are being called on to sit on our couches. So, I think I can deal. I would have gone and bought a bike trainer last week though if I had been smart.
I’m still finding plenty of empty space in the mountains of Utah. I went for a trail run/hike this morning: no other cars at the trailhead at 6:30, and only one other car (right next to mine?!) at 8:00 when I finished. I did intentionally drive separately rather than carpool with my buddy, though.
End of last week, up another canyon, we passed a couple of groups heading down canyon as we were heading up it, and when we got to the crag–no one.
I am presuming (hoping?) that my normal personal space in the outdoors is enough to keep me safe. We don’t need to crowd together, and we are always on the move. It might be different in July, crowded around a campfire or something, but in March I’m mostly in a go-do-return cadence.
I can’t imagine what I will do if they tell me that I have to stay indoors. I live in Utah for a reason, and the indoors ain’t it.
I’m in BLM land in Arizona. Campers all around me, but we’re a few 1000 feet apart, and noone is socializing. The only time I’m inside is when it rains, like today, and when the wind kicks up to 20mph, as predicted for tomorrow. The only thing I need from town is my water and gas for my vehicle, and maybe a few fresh vegetables. I’m good right where I’m at, putting the cat out on his leash, and walking the dog over near the washes. If I’m told I have to stay inside, at least I’m parked where I can see the sun rise & set, and get to working on my quilt.
This poll hasn’t been up for very long yet, but since a not-zero number of people have responded that they’re “still doing what [they] always do,” I want to make a quick case for why anyone who feels that way should please reconsider! The evidence shows that even young, healthy people can and do carry the virus without showing symptoms, spreading the disease to more vulnerable members of the population. Even if you think this doesn’t apply to you, you just don’t have a way of knowing who is vulnerable–this doesn’t just refer to the elderly, but to anyone who has a suppressed immune system. This could be your friend, your neighbor, or any of the many essential workers who do not have the ability to stay home–grocery store employees, healthcare workers, and so on. If you do have the ability to stay home, it makes an ENORMOUS difference. You can read more here: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/03/coronavirus-cancel-everything/607675/ or here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/ . It’s especially important to NOT visit small, remote communities at this time–the exact places that are our typical launching points for adventures, unfortunately!–because these communities are not equipped to handle a virus outbreak that requires many people to be hospitalized. Rural hospitals and emergency services will be quickly overloaded, preventing both those suffering from COVID-19 and anyone else who needs medical care from getting adequate treatment. Adventure Journal, I’d love to see you make a follow-up post suggesting ways that the outdoor community can do our part to support our local and global communities during this time! (Social distancing is probably the biggest one, but I’d love a list of people/organizations to show remote support to, as well, or maybe remote volunteer opportunities.) Here are a couple relevant posts from some leaders in the outdoor community, for starters: https://www.irunfar.com/2020/03/covid-19-a-trail-running-and-ultrarunning-community-guide.html — https://www.instagram.com/p/B9xB-e9HxrW/ — https://www.instagram.com/p/B9uSObBnuuW/ — Thank you for considering! We’re all in this together <3
Great point- we all have a moral responsibility.
I suppose it depends on where you live and where you are going to recreate. I Fail to see how me getting in my car and driving out to the desert to spend a day recreating by myself or with my wife with no other people around is a hazard to anyone. We spent Sunday out hiking and had no contact with anyone else for the duration of the trip,.
We don`t all spend the day on busy trails surrounded by other people.
I get your point, however, staying at home does not necessarily put you at a lower risk.
I say use your head, think of society as a whole, but you don`t have to stay home, to stay safe.
Staying away from most folks till this blows over.
For us, social distancing does mean nature/outside distancing. Hiked desert backcountry all weekend, working remote all week.
Hurricane Bike Fest cancelled. Told kids to stay home. The wife and I are medical providers so we’re just doing our job. Still planning to do some travel, but boondocking in the van, and riding by ourselves.
Trying to stay active at home (weights, kickboxing bag) and running on trails that are virtually deserted.
Canceled travel plans & praying this ends with a positive outcome for all.
Behaviors have to change.
The virus officially made it to New Mexico last week. I have a lab job, but I work alone for a good chunk most days. Still, I’m doing my computer and office work from home. The family and I have been getting out to the local trails as much as possible, though, since school is out for 3 weeks (for now) and all our local facilities (libraries, county and municipal facilities, etc.) are closed. Stores and restaurants are next. My local music store just announced they are closing for a while as well. Crazy times, but I hope the proactive measures help!
Grocery store, gas station and daily hikes with the dog in NFS. Other than that we keep distance. Not worried about our own health as much as we don’t want to become part of the problem. We are foregoing restaurants and takeout for the next month, but bought gift certificates for our local small business favorites to keep cash coming in as long as they’re open.
SCI dinner was cancelled, I cancelled a fishing trip to MT, and we may postpone a trip to see family in Tempe next month.
Spring plans have all been cancelled and now just trying to stay in shape just in case summer plans can happen.
Canceled travel plans for spring break, but still taking my MTB on local trails (which are surprisingly not very busy). Also using my indoor exercise bike when it’s too wet to ride outdoors. Avoiding people as best I can. Very thankful to have a teaching job so I can just work from home. Hoping these social distancing etc. measures help! Definitely very scary times.
We came up to Bend to snowboard Bachelor and they closed it down. We were gonna just hang in the condo but decided we might as well be at home with the cats so back to shelter-in-place Bay Area we drive tomorrow.
Doesn’t affect training at all. That was always either strength training at home, or riding/running on trails. No change.
But I was psyched up for an Adventure Race this coming weekend, that was postponed yesterday. Seems like events all over the place are cancelling and/or postponing, no matter the level of risk.
I consider myself exceedingly lucky that I do most my windsurfing locally in the ocean and go alone a lot anyway. Especially in the winter. And standing around talking about what to rig or whether to even go has never really been my thing. I gave up flying awhile back. I already preferred a fist bump to a handshake as a garden variety flu is bad enough. Yeah, thanks for asking but I’ll be fine. _______\_
Can you do this poll weekly during so we can see a trend over time? I’d also be interested in the locations where people are more locked down vs less if possible.
I’ve been planning a week long trip in April to Joshua Tree NP, the Mojave Preserve, and Death Valley NP. Started putting it together about six or seven months ago as my wife and daughter were scheduled to be on a school trip to DC. That trip is most likely cancelled. Just received word that my Death Valley reservation has been canceled and the J Tree visitor centers are closed but so far, not the campgrounds. I’m assuming that will change.
I had planned on dispersed camping a few of the nights and could still do that, but figured I should just hunker down at home.
I work in the front lines of this global pandemic as an emergency worker in Washington who has and is taking care of patients with COVID-19. It’s pretty tough taking care of patients because we have no idea if they have it or just the flu which is also going around. Some individuals come in for completely different chief complains as well. Then when asked to stay home for safety is a hard choose (of course I’ll be selfish here, I’ll admit it) because now I can’t go out and enjoy nature, which has always de-stressed me and others without making sure that; a) I don’t have it and spread it to others and b) I stay away from the popular hiking trails that for odd reason I enjoy.
Keep washing those hands people!
Take care of yourself, Thomas. We appreciate you.