Intro 

Expeditions postponed, events cancelled and trips delayed. Across the country, lifestyles have been uprooted and dumped on their head, and for the outdoor lovers amongst us, this might just be scratching the surface. Whether you’re a fair-weather cyclist who’s missing weekend rides, an outdoor athlete rescheduling a hard-trained and long-awaited expedition or just someone who likes to walk the hills at the end of a long day, the lockdown can be a particularly daunting ordeal. Just like on the trail, however, when things are out of your hands and they take a turn for the worst, it’s time to adapt and make the most of the situation.

With the right mindset and a little creativity, this time at home doesn’t have to feel like a sentencing, quite the opposite in fact. Look at things in a different way and it can be one hell of an opportunity, a chance to prepare and get all the mundane chores out of the way, so when this all blows over – and this will blow over – you can hit the ground running.

This is one tricky situation

You might have been ready to leave for your outdoors trip, you might have been in training, or you might have already been on the road. This zoonotic virus has brought us all back to basecamp and

For the most part, the outdoors is the place that brings us happiness, motivation and inspiration. It’s the place the snags our concentration during the day and influences our dreams at night. Unfortunately, it’s now also the reasons why this already stressful time can seem a damn sight worse.

Right now, the message is clear: stay at home, save lives and protect the NHS. Unless you’re one of those fortunate people with acres of land, a climbing wall and outdoor possibilities within your grounds, the word cabin fever might be an understatement.

Can you train?

Can you reschedule trips?

Can you stay motivated?

When will things get back to normal?

Importance of using time properly Not just virus – illness, injury, bad weather

But, there will be other points in life when dark clouds are building, the path ahead looks uncertain and so we must return to basecamp.

Using time to prepare – skills, tasks, planning

Change of lifestyle and trips stopped

During an eerily quiet Eurostar back to London (we were one of 15), I sat and thought about the prospect of returning home. Then about all of the other trips around the world that were being rescheduled, events cancelled and challenges grounded. How many people would be in a similar situation? How many pioneering ideas would never even had the chance to really take off, I wondered?

The outdoors community is just a small section of society being gripped by this zoonotic virus, but it’s a section I know well. I know that whilst only some of us would experience the harshest side of Covid-19, we would all face the difficulties of lockdown. And for many, being marooned between 4 walls could be an equally daunting prospect. Would any regular training be an option? Could trips be rescheduled? Would we still be able to get our nature fix?

The natural surroundings that normally provide solace, excitement and inspiration, but now it’s these surroundings, or lack of them, which will cause additional grief. Originally, the mountains seemed like they would be staying open, but now they most definitely seemed closed, and whilst there was a possibility to find comfort in local outdoor exercise – would that option last? 

Positivity is key in times like these, but so is realism. We are all going to be spending much more time at home than normal, and so it’s absolutely crucial to use this time wisely. A few days of Netflix and buckets of ice cream here and there are fine, but when this all blows over – and it will blow over – you want to be ready to zip up that bag, lace up those shoes and get out the door. Your time at base camp is just as important to reach the summit as your time on the trail.

I’m sure you will agree: whatever it takes to slow the spread, protect our loved ones and the NHS.

This will mean a pretty hefty change in lifestyle for everyone from fair-weather hikers to world-first expeditionists

Lockdown and difficulties

Importance of using time properly Not just virus – illness, injury, bad weather

And let us not forget, the Coronavirus is not the only reason we may get sentenced to looming home-stints. Whether it’s from pandemics, injuries, illness or bad weather, there will be plenty of times in life when things don’t go as planned and we have to temporarily hang up the boots. It’s about how you use this time that matters.

It’s of my opinion that the immediate and obvious impacts of this virus are just a small portion of the difficulties we will face. Suicide has now become one of the leading killers in our nation and maintaining mental wellbeing is no short of a necessity. These are unknown waters and we are facing fresh problems every day. T

Besides the simple fact that just sitting on your bum feeling sorry for yourself will make

Using time to prepare – skills, tasks, planning

This strange part of our lives doesn’t need to be looked at with dread. Whether you’re a fair-weather camper or an elite endurance athlete,

Keep motivated and set challenges

Focus on your mental and physical health – exercise, food and cooking

Improve outdoor skillset

Make sure everything is planned to a tea

Get out of the way all the things which may hold you back in the future.

Expedition

Challenge

Event

And, it’s more than just high-profile trips and world-first attempts. This virus is taking its toll on the community as a whole, from outdoor pursuits operators and guides to weekend fell-walkers and those who simply seek solace in natural surroundings.

Activity leaders and climbing instructors in the Scottish Highlands have told how their work disappeared overnight and many outdoor freelancers, like myself, have seen the jobs pool dry up to a summer-scorched creek.

https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-52142423?

Global impact

It’s hard to comprehend the full scale of the Coronavirus, but it’s something that will affect us all, in one way or another. I’m sure you will agree: whatever it takes to slow the spread, protect our loved ones and the NHS. Trips have been cut short, postponed or cancelled, actions adjusted and lifestyles completely changed.