Q U I C K HI T S | 05. 20
VIRTUAL SEND H ER E’ S H OW C L I M B I N G A N D GY M CO M M U N I T I E S AC ROS S T H E CO U N T RY A R E S TAY I N G S T RO N G A N D U N I T ED D E SP I T E COV I D -1 9. ACCORDING TO CLIMBING BUSINESS
200 people. This is an incredible way to sync people across the world who wouldn’t otherwise convene.” Viewers had a five-hour window to preview the films but were encouraged to tune-in at a specific time for trivia with swag giveaways. Post pilot program, BCC co-led a second event, and NMLFF debuted a four-day virtual festival. Then, the scope grew: NMLFF partnered with climbing gyms, clubs, and philanthropic organizations around the globe to host tailored virtual film shows that can simultaneously financially support essential issues from human health to the environment. Beyond the screen, other pioneers banded together, too. Eldorado Climbing, a climbing wall manufacturer in Louisville, Colo., invited customers to choose a climbing gym for up to 30-percent of the sales revenue to be donated. At shoe brand Butora, 35-percent of each shoe sold went to a choice climbing gym, too. El Cap— the parent company of Earth Treks, Planet Granite, and Movement—held the Chalk Bag Fund online auction of climbing gear and in-gym climbing courses. The drive supported their employees nationwide from Portland to Denver to Baltimore. Many gyms launched online workouts, and California’s Touchstone Climbing kicked-off a Challenge-in-Place on
TECHNOLOGY BIOLITE HEADLAMP 200
With the light and battery built right into the headband, its easy to forget you are even wearing this little 1.7-ounce light. The design practically eliminates bounce, even while running, and pumps out 200 lumens of light. It includes a vertical pivot to aim as needed and a red floodlight. Plus, it’s Micro USB rechargeable. $50 | BIOLITENERGY.COM
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E L E VAT I O N O U T D O O R S / M AY 2 0 2 0
Instagram with creative, intellectual objectives like “Take a Honnoldingin-your-home photo,” alluding to the capture of Alex Honnold petrified on a ledge, 1,700-feet up Half Dome. As Dixon says, “From business partners to communities, climbers as a whole have really come together, supported each other, and found ways to help humankind.” —Morgan Tilton
ALL FINGERS : JENNY ABEGG WORKS HER
ADVENTURE FOR YOUR EARS
The Dirtbag Diaries: Storytelling is
T H E SE S I X P O D C A S T S W I L L G E T YO U E XC I T ED A B O U T T H E O U T D O O R S N O M AT T ER W H ER E YO U A R E. WE MAY NOT CALL IT MUD SEASON
anymore but there’s no question that May tends to be a bit questionable when it comes to going outside. Any given day could bring sunshine, May showers, or a healthy helping of spring snow. There are ways to cope, though. Technology is a wonderful thing and while falling down the scroll hole of Instagram and Facebook can deliver a serious case of FOMO, podcasts can
GEAR WE LOVE COSTA DIEGO
With incredible lens technology already in place, Costa took a good look at the standard sunglass frame and created a vented spring hinge system that provides a great fit, maximizes air flow, and includes integrated top and side shields to block light. It’s just as capable on the snow as it is in the bright glare of summer. Available with prescription lenses. $199-$279 | COSTADELMAR.COM
WAY UP MOONLIGHT BUTTRESS IN ZION NATIONAL PARK IN THE FILM “SPEAK TO ME SOFTLY,” FEATURED IN THE VIRTUAL NO MAN’S LAND FILM FESTIVAL.
save you from the spiral. Listen from the couch, while you’re cleaning the house, or from a stationary bike. These six podcasts serve up a healthy dose of outdoor inspiration, even if the weather is crap. the backbone of this venerable 13-yearold podcast with two different types of episodes: The Shorts (short essays written and read by listeners) and Features, longer, interview-based and narration type episodes. Topics range from running with burros to tales of tandem bikes. dirtbagdiaries.com
The Wild: “The Wild” focuses more on wildlife and how it—and we—interact with the outdoors. Entertaining and educational, this one will please the kids (or your science-curious friends). Plus, show host Chris Morgan has an incredibly soothing voice. kuow.org/ podcasts/thewild
Out There: “Out There” may not
overtly make you want to get outside,
BOOKS STORIES BEHIND THE IMAGES
Adventure photographer Corey Rich reveals how he has nabbed so many stunning images over the past 25 years. His stories are profoundly honest and he shares lessons learned from mistakes he’s made along the way. He explains how he captured specific images and how he went from working for a local newspaper to spending two weeks with Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson documenting their historic ascent of The Dawn Wall. $30 | MOUNTAINEERS.ORG/BOOKS
PHOTO BY HENNA TAYLOR / COURTESY OF NO MAN'S LAND FILM FESTIVAL
Journal nearly 600 climbing gyms nationwide have closed amid the novel coronavirus pandemic and to abide by social distancing guidelines. Loveland, Colorado’s Climbing Wall Summit was canceled. The American Alpine Club closed its facilities and asked climbers to refrain from non-essential travel. Climbing, indoors and out, entered a never-before-seen holding pattern. The pressing question on everyone’s mind: How long will the COVID-19 shutdown last—and will there be resurgence? Climbing culture fundamentally thrives on creating community within place. Gyms depend on a steady revenue stream to survive closures. To help, the Climbing Wall Association created a petition advocating for federal emergency stimulus funds. And industry leaders launched new collaborative ways for climbers, gyms, crags, and communities to stay healthy and connected. The inaugural Virtual No Man’s Land Film Festival (NMLFF) is one such connection. With screening co-hosted by the Boulder Climbing Community (BCC), the free 90-minute show garnered $5,000 in suggested donations from 800 viewers. The funds will support BCC stewardship work ranging from building sustainable approach trails to rebolting crags and supplying wag bags in popular climbing areas. “This creative fundraiser allows our organization to keep functioning and lets people engage with their community while being entertained,” says BCC spokesperson Billy Dixon: “Inperson events are amazing for personal connection, but I hope that virtual events also become a trend. We can gather more people than we could ever handle at a movie theater, which fits
