Over the years at Elevation Outdoors, there’s been a standing joke that one day, we’ll publish a magazine called Elevation Indoors. It’s been a go-to April Fools’ Day joke, and a common elbow jab for groggy days. But with the rise of COVID-19 and the resulting isolation that’s followed, social distancing is confining us to our homes for the foreseeable future, and Elevation Indoors may finally see the light of day.
Ideally, we’re all still able to unplug and get outside for a bit each day, but with that being said, there are still things you can do indoors that engage your love of the outdoors. Here are 10 ways to connect with your inner adventurer while being confined within the walls of your home.
1. Stream a ski film or a great outdoor documentary.
Start with:
– Academy Award-Winning Free Solo
– Matchstick Productions’ Female-Dominated ALL IN
– Sherpas Cinema’s All I Can
– Jimmy Chin & Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi’s Meru
– Teton Gravity Research’s Ode to Muir
2. Take a stab at the gear closet.
What better time to get everything dialed, prepped, and ready for future missions? Cut some skins, re-waterproof your leather, or pick out some tried-and-true gear that’s ready to be passed along to a friend.
3. Set up your tent and camp in the living room.
We all remember doing it as a kid. Whether with your better half, with kids, or all alone… why not! Also, feel free to step it up a notch — toss some brews in the Yeti and make s’mores in your fireplace. A little Tin Cup never hurts, either. It’s happy hour somewhere.
4. Perfect your ski transition game.
Practice your ski transitions in the living room and make the most of your down time. You’ll be the smoothest on the skin track this spring – and ready to rock that next transition race at the neighborhood watering hole (looking at you, Upslope). Here’s a handy video from our friends at Outdoor Research, with some transitioning tips that you might not have thought of.
5. Convert your outdoor bike to a stationary bike with a resistance trainer.
Support your local businesses – reach out to your neighborhood bike shop to get the beta!
6. Take a peek at an animal cam.
Just Google it. From brown bears to bald eagles, you can spy on an array of wildlife from the comfort and safety of your couch.
7. Refresh your survival skills.
Spend an hour updating your backcountry knowledge, with resources from Know Before You Go – a completely free avalanche awareness program available online. This will be an awesome baseline for taking an in-person course with Colorado Mountain School, Irwin Guides, Buena Vista Mountain Adventures, or The Mountain Guides next season.
In looking past the skin track, a multitude of online classes also exist via REI, Wilderness Awareness School, Bush Mechanics Survival Training, and more.
8. Virtually explore our National Parks.
Go to Google Earth Voyager and click on “National Parks of the United States.” Start your journey here!
9. Keep moving—try to get to 10,000 steps a day within your home.
Here’s a hint—only take one thing up or down the stairs at a time. Or, steal the remote and wait for roommates to chase you around the house.
10. Learn to tie your own flies and prep your rods.
There are plenty of online resources with tips from expert anglers. Check out the Orvis Fly Fishing Learning Center or YouTube for videos to get started.
Here’s to hoping this is the first and last edition of Elevation Indoors, and we all can get back to exploring in the field as soon as possible.
Feature photo c/o Getty Images
