Everything is Closed

The International Impact of COVID-19 on Climbing Communities

By Nicki Simon | April 7, 2020

The coronavirus outbreak has had massive and increasingly severe effects on lives around the globe, and the climbing community is no exception. In recent years, climbing has become a significant sector of international tourism. With thousands of people flocking to popular climbing areas each year, it is not surprising that many businesses have been built up around this trend and, consequently, become dependent on climbers as their primary source of revenue. With international travel coming to a near standstill, as well as many new regulations on outdoor recreation, businesses like this are finding themselves in an extremely difficult situation.

In many countries around the world, climbing areas have been closed in an attempt to encourage social distancing and slow the spread of coronavirus. In the grand scheme, this is the most logical move for authorities to make as it prevents people from gathering at climbing areas, as well as decreases the potential for putting additional strain on small, rural communities that are already short on supplies and medical capacity. Unfortunately, there are many people who will ultimately suffer as a result of these measures since they are unable to operate business as usual during this time. All facets of the industry—including gyms, guiding companies, gear shops, cafés, restaurants, hotels, and AirBnbs—will be feeling the effects of COVID-19 both in the United States and internationally.

Green Climbers Home in Thakhek, Laos has quickly become a top destination for the traveling sport climber. With a climbing season that normally lasts through the spring, they were nowhere near ready to shut down the camp when things suddenly got very serious. Melissa Robertson, one of the new owners of Green Climbers Home, said “On March 20th, we got an email from the U.S. Embassy saying we had to leave now or be prepared to shelter in place. And then Green Discovery Laos (our parent company) advised us to leave immediately. However we still had a restaurant, staff, 20 guests, all of our season to be packed up and cleaned, etc. We literally had less than 10 hours from being told we had to leave to actually leaving, and a month’s work of cleaning and closing the business for the rainy season.” At 7:45 that night, Melissa and her partner Sam caught the last bus across the border to Thailand before the entry back to Laos was completely closed. This upheaval of their business and lives left the Laotian staff suddenly unemployed, and left Melissa, Sam, and their business partners with a huge question mark as to what the future of the camp may look like. Despite the overwhelming shock and helplessness she is feeling, Melissa is continuously comforted by the love and support she finds in the climbing community. “Knowing that we are all struggling but have each other is important. Even though this is not the time for sending projects and exploring, it is the time to come together and know that the rocks will still be there and we are all in this together.”

A few thousand miles east, the Greek island of Kalymnos would normally be gearing up right now for the spring climbing season and the rush of tourists that comes along with it. Currently, however, the island is a ghost town. According to Dimitrios Chalikos, the owner of Climbers Massage Kalymnos, the island is already experiencing detrimental impacts as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Chalikos explains the effect this will have on shops, hotels, restaurants, etc. deciding not to open this year: “...unemployment will increase, many families will suffer and we will feel this more next winter.” In addition, “state aid is almost zero and comes with criteria that does not cover small family businesses.” In an already struggling economy, the island is being hit with huge financial hardships and many people do not know what the future may look like for them. “The good thing is that here on the island we all—families, neighbors, businesses—have become one,” said Chalikos. “We are trying to find the positive in all this and not let it throw us psychologically.”

With an aging population and limited medical facilities, just one climber coming to Kalymnos with coronavirus could risk the lives of hundreds of locals. Tania Matsuka, owner of the guiding service Climb Mediterranean, sees the restrictions affecting Kalymnos as unfortunate but essential. “Our island has a tiny hospital, with no facilities with respiration machines.” According to Matsuka, a small handful of climbers have come to Kalymnos, flagrantly disregarding the rules. “It is sad to see some foreign climbers trying to sneak in and ‘get stuck’ on Kalymnos during the isolation period so they can be on paradise and climb.” With an economy reliant each year on climbing tourism, people on Kalymnos are bracing for the impact of this pandemic. However, the local community is doing what they can to work together and not give up hope during this uncertain time. 

Juman Sayegh is the owner of Beyond Climbing, a business offering climbing holidays throughout the Arab world. She is also seeing the effects of the outbreak in climbing areas in the Middle East. Crags that would usually be bustling with climbers are empty, and local businesses are suffering. Nonetheless, Sayegh is optimistic that “...once things become less strict, people will be flocking in their herds for the great outdoors and hopefully revive what is currently a dead business.” Beyond Climbing is also taking a positive approach to the situation by getting creative and volunteering to virtually teach Iraqi Kurds about climbing through ongoing classes as part of Iraq’s first climbing school.

This is a difficult and unsettling time for everyone, and it is impossible to know what the outcomes may be in the most vulnerable communities. However, the best thing we as a global climbing community can do right now is stay informed, support others however we can, and get stoked for when we are able to go back to these incredible places!

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