Covid and Climbing
In mid-March, everything came to a screeching halt, except for those deemed essential. Climbing was one of many to feel that halt. Gyms closed, and as crowds started to swarm outside, outdoor climbing began to close down as well. The climbing projects, trips, and even local backyard crag outings ended. During a high stress time, climbing, a major stress relief for many, was taken away for a good reason - the health of others and oneself. So what was a climber to do?
Climbers shifted to time of hangboard workouts, homewall building explosions, and TR soloing in the past couple months. While some took this time to continue to train hard, some lost all motivation to train, which is totally understandable amidst unprecedented and sudden change. Others perhaps took the time to re-evaluate why they climb in the first place. A time to slow down and think about what climbing means to them. No matter what outlet a climber chose, or what their journey looked like, it was a weird couple months for climbing and the climbing industry as a whole.
CT has begun to mirror the world of climbing as both slowly phase back open. Yet neither will look the same as they had before. Climbing gyms are set up for social distancing, masks required, and limited occupancy, among other regulations. Climbing outside, if adhering to Access Fund and local climbing organizations, will also look different. Time to always have a backup plan in case the cliff is crowded, masks handy if climbing next to other parties of climbers, adding hand sanitizer to the list of things to pack, and keeping groups minimal in size. It’s important to remember: Yes, climbing may be an outlet and you don’t want to worry about these things; however, the pandemic is still a very real thing, and as climbers, we must do our part to reduce spread.
On top of some extra precautions, most everyone will undoubtedly be starting off weaker than they had been before closures. Time to put your egos aside and accept the fact that you are not as strong as before. Even if you chose to train hard on the hangboard and homewall, real rock is much different. Different mentally and different physically. Meeting yourself where you’re at and remembering why you climb will reduce unneeded frustration in an already high stress time. The strength and technique will come back eventually over time, multiple outings on real rock, placing gear, clipping bolts, and topping out over and over again. Failing and falling over and over again (even though, that is nothing new to climbing). Enjoy being around people again, being outside, touching real rock, and exploring crags you may have never even thought of checking out before. While you enjoy those little things, the former grades you were sending will creep back up. Don’t you worry, the rocks aren’t going anywhere.
By Jen Chmiel
