RunOut #39: Will Climbers Actually Stay Home Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic?

If your podcast diet looks anything like mine, you’re probably oversaturated on coronavirus content. Alas, it’s hard not to talk about covid-19 given it’s a fucking global pandemic and all. Climbing gyms around the country are shutting down, and climbers are being advised by the American Alpine Club to not even go climbing outside, particularly in areas surrounding rural communities. Moab has a tourist and camping ban for the next 30 days, Miguel’s Pizza is shut down, and communities from Bishop to Fayetteville are more or less requesting that climbers do not use their newfound time off by traveling to these areas to climb. And yet, if there’s one thing I know about climbers, it’s that they will give up their climbing and training when you pry it from their dead, cold hands … perhaps an unfortunate metaphor given the state of affairs. This is Andrew Bisharat, and I’m virtually here with my co-host Chris Kalous to talk about the pandemic and its effects on our sport. I fear this is all just the beginning, to be honest. I think we may well see a cancelation of the Olympics, a shut down of National Parks, and other draconian measures soon. It’s all very anxiety-inducing. Some of you may have seen that I have been planning to put together a writing and climbing workshop in Mallorca this fall. All those details are on my site Evening Sends. But I just made the decision to postpone the workshop till next spring. Like everyone else, I’m hoping this thing burns out quickly, but given the uncertainty with travel, I just don’t need to be worrying about this right now. Simplifying life is a good approach, I think. It helps with the anxiety of the moment. So settle in, folks. Commit to just being home for a while, and you may find a sense of ease in not questioning yourself over whether you could be out sending the gnar. Your project will still be there next fall. Photo by Ryan Tetz