Things are moving fast, so I figured it would be useful for climbers and adventurers to see a compilation of resources that I’ve found and that I find interesting. This is not comprehensive, but I hope you’ll find it helps. These are all serious / non-comic links. We will have a post out soon sharing some of our favorite comedic takes on the current situation.
Let us know what you think – or if there are additional resources you think we should share with the community. Either email [email protected] or click the button below to send a message.
What States / Cities Have Stay at Home Orders?
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-stay-at-home-order.html (updated March 26, 2020)- This New York Times interactive map shows where restrictions are in place by state and local governments. As of March 26th, approximately 200 million Americans (that’s just about 60% of us) have been told to stay home.
New Hampshire Stay-at-Home Order
Governor Sununu announced the following on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/GovernorChrisSununu/) at approximately 330pm March 26th:
Today, I announced that the State of New Hampshire will be issuing a Stay-at-Home order and directing all non-essential businesses that have not already voluntarily closed to end in-person and public-interacting operations by 11:59 PM tomorrow, March 27, 2020.
Over the past 24 hours we have received calls & requests for a mandatory shelter in place. This is not a shelter in place. No one will be prevented from leaving their home & the state is not closing its borders. In taking these actions, we are aligning with our regional partners.
I want to be clear: no governor has the authority to shut down their border. No governor can prohibit another state’s residents from entering their state. Nor has any state in the Country issued a full-blown shelter in place order.
We can’t stress this enough – you should stay at your house unless absolutely necessary. Of course, we won’t prevent you from leaving your home to go for a walk, or when heading to the store for groceries, or going to an essential job.
When going outside, remember: we all have an obligation to continue practicing healthy social distancing. That means maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet from others and avoiding group activities.
Today I’m also announcing that in coordination with the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, the state has crafted an innovative public-private partnership plan that will ensure essential workers have access to child care in an environment that is safe and comports to @CDCgov guidelines.
We are extending remote-learning until May 4, 2020. This continuation will provide teachers, parents, and students a level of certainty and continuity that remote learning will go on. We’re leading the nation in ensuring our students continue to receive a quality education.
This is not a step we take lightly. Disrupting daily life in NH should be something that is only done in the greatest of emergencies.
I know we will get through this together, and I know we will come out the other side stronger than ever. #GraniteTough
What are the climbing magazines publishing about the pandemic?
- Rock & Ice Magazine – “Climbing Hits the Wall: What COVID-19 Means for Our Sport” – https://rockandice.com/climbing-news/climbing-hits-the-wall-what-covid-19-means-for-our-sport/ (posted March 24, 2020). A thoughtful piece that covers much of what we at N3C are thinking about right now, from gym closures to outdoor limitations.
- Alpinist Magazine – “Climbing rock – yes, touching real rock – can potentially spread the coronavirus” – http://www.alpinist.com/doc/web20s/newsire-covid19-presumed-infectious-on-rock (posted March 22, 2020)
- Climbing Magazine – “Dirtbagging in the Time of COVID-19” – https://www.climbing.com/people/dirtbagging-in-the-time-of-covid-19/ (updated March 25, 2020)
- Climbing Magazine – “How Pro Climbers are Spending Time During Self-Isolation” – https://www.climbing.com/news/shutdown-what-pro-climbers-are-doing-during-self-isolation/ (March 24, 2020)
- Rock & Ice Magazine – “COVID-19 As Climbing” – https://rockandice.com/opinion/covid-19-as-climbing/ (posted March 19, 2020). An opinion piece arguing that skills learned climbing can help us manage during the pandemic.
- Alpinist Magazine
What are national climbing / outdoor organizations saying?
- The American Alpine Club – https://americanalpineclub.org/news/2020/3/17/climbers-take-action-against-coronavirus (posted on March 17, 2020) – The basic message is “climbers, please restrict all recreational travel.” The statement also includes a basic list of do’s and don’ts.
- Appalachian Mountain Club – “Social Distancing: Nature’s Time to Shine” – https://www.outdoors.org/articles/amc-outdoors/social-distancing-natures-time-to-shine (posted March 25, 2020)
- The American Mountain Guides Association – https://amga.com/coronavirus-update/ (updated on March 24, 2020) – Mostly information about how they are cancelling their programs scheduled for March and April.
From the Rumney Climbers Association (RCA)
As of March 26th:
On March 18, 2020, the RCA posted the following on their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/rumneyclimbersassociation):
Though it’s incredibly hard to believe it has come to this, we are reaching out asking climbers to please avoid the crags right now. The same message is being spread around the globe. We love climbing more than almost anything… Almost.
As Kayte Knower wisely pointed out on our insta post, some of the folks who first developed Rumney are now at an age in which this virus could cause serious health problems or worse. Out of respect for them and others who stand to get very sick if this situation doesn’t improve. Either take a break, train at home, or find a crag so remote you are sure no one else will be on it this month.
Rumney will be there when this virus is in our past. Let’s all do our part to get the whole community through safely.
Sincere thanks, the Rumney Climbers Association
What’s happening in the ‘Gunks?
Not much. As of Monday, March 23rd, the Mohonk Preserve closed all of its lands to the public, including climbing. See more here: https://www.mohonkpreserve.org/alerts.html
Additional News Outlets
- InDepth New Hampshire’s COVID-19 page: http://indepthnh.org/tag/covid-19/
- NHPR Coronavirus Coverage – https://www.nhpr.org/term/coronavirus-coverage
- NHPR – “As People Flock to the Woods, NH Officials Urge Caution” – https://www.nhpr.org/post/people-flock-woods-nh-officials-urge-caution (posted March 24, 2020)