{"id":159849,"date":"2020-12-30T13:40:34","date_gmt":"2020-12-30T21:40:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=159849"},"modified":"2021-04-06T14:16:35","modified_gmt":"2021-04-06T21:16:35","slug":"recreate-responsibly-an-activity-specific-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/news\/recreate-responsibly-an-activity-specific-guide","title":{"rendered":"Recreate Responsibly: An Activity-Specific Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"cb-itemprop\" itemprop=\"reviewBody\"><p><em><i>Editor&#8217;s note: This article was first published on May 29, 2020. It was updated on Dec. 30, 2020 with the latest winter guidelines for responsible recreation.<\/i><\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>With winter in full swing, many continue to venture outside to ski, snowshoe, hike or play in the snow\u2014and find solace in nature during the current pandemic.<\/p>\n<p>But spending time outdoors during a public health crisis isn\u2019t so simple. Questions abound: Even if a trail is open, should I go? What should I bring with me? What measures should I take to protect myself and my community? Public health and other experts say it\u2019s generally OK to get outside if you follow rules, take precautions and recreate responsibly.<\/p>\n<p>REI and a coalition of agencies, nonprofits and recreation businesses\u00a0have released simple <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/news\/recreate-responsibly\">Recreate Responsibly<\/a>\u00a0guidelines to highlight the emerging best practices and minimize confusion. Last month, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.recreateresponsibly.org\/\">the coalition<\/a> updated the guidelines with considerations for winter outdoor activity. Overall, the guidelines are meant as a starting point for all outdoor activities to help people stay healthy and keep access open.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-164835 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/07\/RecreateResponsibly-WINTER-FINAL.jpg?resize=1024%2C1275\" alt=\"Seven guidelines to recreate responsibly\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1275\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In addition to those guidelines, recreationists may have to weigh other considerations depending on their activity. For specific guidance related to winter activities, hiking, climbing, mountain biking, camping and paddling, we interviewed leading outdoor activity groups, along with public health experts.<\/p>\n<p>All our interviewees stressed the need to follow <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/coronavirus\/2019-ncov\/prevent-getting-sick\/prevention.html\">CDC guidelines<\/a> to help protect yourself and others from the coronavirus. They also reiterated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.recreateresponsibly.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Recreate Responsibly<\/a> guidelines, like practicing physical distancing while outside, and because rules vary across states and counties, respecting local and state restrictions.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPeople can and should (for their physical and mental health) get outdoors if they can do it in a way that avoids crowds,\u201d Linsey Marr, a\u00a0professor at Virginia Tech who studies the\u00a0airborne transmission of infectious diseases, said in an email in May.<\/p>\n<div id=\"top\">Here, we break down specific guidance for the following activities:<\/div>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#winter\">Winter Activities<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#hiking\">Hiking<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#climbing\">Climbing<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#biking\">Mountain biking<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#camping\">Camping<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#paddle\">Paddle Sports<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>_____________________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"winter\"><strong>Winter Activities<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-165631 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/07\/contentteam_2021216_01084.jpg?resize=1024%2C682\" alt=\"Two skiers in a snowy forest.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" \/><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Guidance from REI partners <\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Cold temperatures, limited sunlight, avalanche danger and snowy conditions add to the risk of recreating during the winter season.Tania Lown-Hecht, communications director of Outdoor Alliance, said it\u2019s important to adequately prepare for conditions. Bring extra layers of clothing, enough food and the right gear, which can include items like headlamps and avalanche safety equipment. (Learn more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/learn\/expert-advice\/cold-weather-hiking.html\">cold-weather hiking and dressing tips<\/a>). Also, access points may be more limited in winter so have a backup plan in the event a trail is crowded, a parking area is full, or a facility is closed.<\/p>\n<p>People should also consider that, due to COVID, hospitals may have limited resources. Lown-Hecht stressed the importance of mitigating risk of injury by taking the right gear, learning the proper skills and knowing one\u2019s limits.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRight now, there\u2019s a big surge in ICU capacity,\u201d she said. \u201cThere\u2019s never a good time to break a bone, but now is really not a good time to break a bone.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Lown-Hecht added that it\u2019s wonderful to see more people recreating outdoors but she stressed the importance of doing so safely.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Considerations while recreating during winter<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Recreationists\u2014from backcountry skiers to snowshoers and hikers\u2014can expect a different experience in the mountains and backcountry this year due to COVID-19.<\/p>\n<p>Resort skiers can expect longer lift lines, due to limits on how many people can ride in a chairlift together at a time, said David Page, advocacy director of Winter Wildlands Alliance. Rules may vary, so check with your resort.<\/p>\n<p>Be prepared for some facilities, such as bathrooms, to be limited or closed due to staffing shortages, Page said.<\/p>\n<p>All skiers should follow guidance from the CDC regarding the use of face coverings. And Page said new skiers and snowboarders should take lessons and avalanche training to ensure they have the proper skills to keep themselves and others safe. Many states saw an increase in search-and-rescue calls in 2020 as more people sought solace in the outdoors amid the pandemic. <a href=\"https:\/\/snowbrains.com\/colorado-search-and-rescue-teams-have-had-an-increased-volume-of-missions-in-20202\/\">One search and rescue team in Colorado<\/a>, for instance, saw a nearly 300 percent increase in call volume between 2019 and 2020. King County Search and Rescue in Washington state <a href=\"https:\/\/www.king5.com\/article\/travel\/destinations\/explore-the-pnw\/search-and-rescue-volunteers-fatigued-concerned\/281-e3039541-8c3e-4f4e-a37d-862858717eab\">\u00a0also broke records with its search and rescue calls. <\/a><\/p>\n<p>Consider the burden on hospitals, some of which are at or near capacity with COVID-19 patients, Page said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re asking everyone to dial it back a bit. Ski smart. Maybe don\u2019t take the risks you would if you knew you could be helicoptered out,\u201d he added. \u201cYou don\u2019t want to be that statistic.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ice climbers can follow <a href=\"https:\/\/americanalpineclub.org\/news\/2020\/5\/1\/climbing-in-the-covid-era\">guidance from the American Alpine Club<\/a>, which suggests climbing close to home, avoiding vulnerable gateway communities and climbing with people from your own home or with just one partner.<\/p>\n<p>Snowshoers and hikers can follow state and CDC guidance as well as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.recreateresponsibly.org\/\">Recreate Responsibly guidelines<\/a>, which suggest knowing your limits, checking local conditions, wearing a face covering and practicing physical distancing, among other things.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"#top\"><strong>Back to top<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"hiking\"><strong>Hiking<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-159860 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/05\/Content_Team_060519_01662.jpg?w=1024&#038;resize=1024%2C683\" alt=\"Two people hiking on rocks.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<h4>Guidance from REI partners<\/h4>\n<p>Kate\u00a0Van\u00a0Waes, executive director of the American Hiking Society, says\u00a0her group\u2019s guidelines have stayed relatively consistent though they&#8217;ve been updated as areas reopen.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cStay as close to home as you can. That still applies. It\u2019s still generally not a good idea to travel too far because you can still potentially be spreading the virus from one community to another,\u201d she says. \u201cThe farther you travel, the more stops you\u2019re making, the more touch points you\u2019re having.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Even if a park is open, consider not going if it\u2019s crowded, she says. \u201cJust because it\u2019s open, doesn\u2019t mean, OK,\u00a0now it\u2019s a free-for-all,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n<p>Van Waes acknowledges there\u2019s not a one-size-fits-all approach for hikers. She encourages people to \u201cuse your best judgment based on where you live and the situation that you\u2019re in.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The situation will be different, for example, for someone who lives in a rural area where they may not come in contact with a lot of people than for someone in a more urban area.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Considerations while hiking<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The Washington Trails Association\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wta.org\/go-outside\/social-distancing-hiking-in-the-time-of-coronavirus\">notes<\/a>\u00a0that physical distancing\u00a0may\u00a0be hard to do\u00a0on\u00a0many\u00a0popular trails.\u00a0\u201cIf you can&#8217;t maintain\u00a06\u00a0feet or more from other hikers, pick another place to hike,\u201d\u00a0the group says on its website.\u00a0If a parking lot\u00a0is more than half full, consider going somewhere else.<\/p>\n<p>While hiking, give people space on the trail\u00a0and pass\u00a0with as much space between each group as possible.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you must be in an area where you&#8217;re passing people every few minutes, wear a mask,\u201d writes Marr, the Virginia Tech\u00a0professor. \u201cIf you are passing on the trail, one or both parties should step off the trail to allow for plenty of space; I have been using 10 feet as a guideline.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Marr adds that quickly passing someone on the trail with proper distancing should be a very low-risk situation.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>What about thru-hiking? <\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>In March, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy urged hikers to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/wildeast.appalachiantrail.org\/official-blog\/please-stay-off-the-appalachian-trail\/?sm_guid=MzM0ODg2fDIxOTI5MzQyfC0xfGt2YW53YWVzQGFtZXJpY2FuaGlraW5nLm9yZ3wyNjU4OTE0fHwwfDB8NzE1MzA1MTV8OTM4fDB8MHx8MzAzMjgy0\">stay off<\/a>\u00a0the\u00a0popular 2,193-mile trail that runs from Georgia to Maine. And many hikers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/news\/hikers-climbers-mountain-bikers-reconsider-plans-amid-covid-19\">reconsidered<\/a> their plans. The ATC notes that it is frequently updating its guidance and listings of trail-related closures and travel restrictions.<\/p>\n<p>Looking <a href=\"https:\/\/appalachiantrail.org\/official-blog\/prepping-for-2021\/\">ahead to 2021<\/a>, the group said that the rising number of COVID-19 cases continues to make long-distance hiking a potential contributor to the spread of coronavirus along the trail and in trailside communities.\u00a0&#8220;The best way to ensure you and others remain safe is to postpone your hikes,&#8221; the group said in a Nov. 30 post. &#8220;However, if you are planning a hike of any length in 2021, please reduce the spread of COVID-19 by preparing appropriately for your hikes,&#8221; it added.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the Pacific Crest Trail Association also updated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcta.org\/discover-the-trail\/pct-covid-guidance\/\">its guidance<\/a> for visiting the PCT. The group previously urged hikers to stay away. It now \u201csupports single-day hikes and horseback rides and longer, self-sustained trips that don\u2019t require resupply near your home.\u201d The group asks hikers to\u00a0avoid travel from far away to the PCT.\u00a0It also encourages people to follow you follow federal, state, county and city health emergency guidelines and recommendations for physical distancing<\/p>\n<p><strong>Go deeper<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Read guidance from the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/blog\/hiking-responsibly-faq-covid-19\/\">American Hiking Society<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/appalachiantrail.org\/explore\/plan-and-prepare\/hiking-basics\/health\/covid19\/\">Appalachian Trail Conservancy<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcta.org\/covid-19\/\">Pacific Crest Trail Association<\/a>\u00a0and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wta.org\/go-outside\/social-distancing-hiking-in-the-time-of-coronavirus\">Washington Trails Association<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"#top\"><strong>Back to top<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"climbing\"><strong>Climbing<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-159910 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/05\/Davis_171124_0003.jpg?w=1024&#038;resize=1024%2C576\" alt=\"Woman rock climbing.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" \/><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Guidance from REI partners<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>\u201cDeciding whether it\u2019s appropriate to head back out to your local crag will be an important and localized decision,\u201d says the American Alpine Club\u00a0on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/americanalpineclub.org\/news\/2020\/5\/1\/climbing-in-the-covid-era\">its website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Access Fund\u00a0asks\u00a0climbers to consider not doing it but provides <a href=\"https:\/\/www.accessfund.org\/open-gate-blog\/climbing-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\">safety tips<\/a> for those who go.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re telling people they should strongly consider not climbing,\u201d Chris Winter, executive director of Access Fund said in May.\u00a0\u201cWe know that rock climbing usually involves being\u00a0in close proximity to\u00a0a partner, sharing gear. And\u00a0sometimes it\u2019s tough to keep your distance from other people at the crag.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>At the same time,\u00a0he acknowledges, people are\u00a0still going to climb.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn our mind, simply telling people not to climb wasn\u2019t going to actually have an impact on public health and climbing behavior in the way we wanted,\u201d he says, adding, \u201cWe\u2019re trying to strike the right balance.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Winters encourages climbers to \u201cmake decisions based on what risks are posed to the most vulnerable and health care workers.\u201d<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Considerations while climbing<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Both ACA and\u00a0Access Fund\u00a0advise\u00a0climbers to avoid traveling to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/news\/were-all-going-to-be-hurting-towns-near-national-parks-feel-the-impacts-of-covid-19\">rural gateway communities<\/a>\u00a0with limited health care facilities. Also, limit partners to your\u00a0household or one other partner,\u00a0follow local guidelines, wear\u00a0a mask when\u00a0near others\u00a0and\u00a0climb conservatively,\u00a0they say.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Marilyn Roberts, a professor at the University of Washington School of Public Health, department of environmental and occupational health sciences, says she would be concerned if people climbed with others outside of their household or in crowded areas.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s fine with family members as long as not too many are rock climbing in the same area,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"normaltextrun\">The issue is whether climbers could maintain physical distancing, such as if they drive together, climb in popular spots or are on routes with different parties at the same time, she says.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Go deeper<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Read\u00a0guidance from\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.accessfund.org\/open-gate-blog\/climbing-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\">Access Fund<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/americanalpineclub.org\/news\/2020\/5\/1\/climbing-in-the-covid-era\">American Alpine Club<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"#top\"><strong>Back to top<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"biking\"><strong>Mountain Biking<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-159859 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/05\/Content_Team_061018_0144.jpg?w=1024&#038;resize=1024%2C683\" alt=\"Woman mountain biking in forest.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><\/p>\n<h4>Guidance from REI partners<\/h4>\n<p>\u201cIn many places the trails feel more crowded than ever, so\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.imba.com\/ride\/imba-rules-of-the-trail\">responsible riding<\/a>\u00a0and sharing the trails is as important as ever,\u201d\u00a0says David Wiens, executive director of the International Mountain Bicycling Association.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf the local government and land manager have determined nearby trails are open, by all means, get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors,\u201d he says.\u00a0Wiens\u00a0also\u00a0reiterated\u00a0the importance of responsible recreation, like the shared guidelines above.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Considerations while mountain biking<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The biggest challenge may be staying six feet apart while passing other riders on the trail, Wiens says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe safest way to pass with distance is to stay alert, slow down and communicate with each other from a distance about how to proceed,\u201d Wiens says. One person should step six feet off-trail to let the other pass. Leave your bike on the side of the trail to minimize environmental impact, he says.<\/p>\n<p>Other tips? Ride at off-peak times. Try another trail on another day if it\u2019s too crowded or have a backup plan.\u00a0Consider riding with a bell to\u00a0alert other trail users of your presence from a distance.<\/p>\n<p>Check with state and local governments about trail openings and closures as well as guidance for travel.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Go deeper<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Read guidance from\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.imba.com\/mountain-bike-covid-19-faq\">IMBA<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.evergreenmtb.org\/blog\/10-new-rules-of-the-trail\">Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"#top\"><strong>Back to top<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"camping\"><strong>Camping<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-159925 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/05\/JTH_102319_66500-1.jpg?w=1024&#038;resize=1024%2C576\" alt=\"Photo of tent against night sky\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" \/><\/p>\n<h4><strong>The rules vary by state<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Check local, state and federal\u00a0regulations for\u00a0the latest\u00a0guidance on whether camping is allowed.\u00a0Some established state and federal campgrounds\u00a0remain\u00a0closed, as campgrounds bring people close together and have shared facilities, like restrooms.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.recreation.gov\/\">Recreation.gov<\/a>\u00a0is a good place to start for checking the status of federal campgrounds.<\/p>\n<p>States are taking a\u00a0variety of\u00a0approaches.\u00a0In Colorado, state parks officials remind visitors\u00a0to follow <a href=\"https:\/\/cpw.state.co.us\/aboutus\/Pages\/News-Release-Details.aspx?NewsID=7362\">best practices<\/a> such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/urldefense.proofpoint.com\/v2\/url?u=https-3A__lnt.org_why_7-2Dprinciples_&amp;d=DwMFaQ&amp;c=sdnEM9SRGFuMt5z5w3AhsPNahmNicq64TgF1JwNR0cs&amp;r=iDd0CgxBuVnzvtAaLug1x1_6FXQl7Qv_1Nz0OuZU2_o&amp;m=8w016NLpoJAFGFfygG2jtQWot8fp-SodScYxvzLXHQM&amp;s=Z0zaSSm_dGZvTPdgBgN1ubdSlsXymCivcsn7oVCyElc&amp;e=\">7 Principles of Leave No Trace<\/a> and limiting groups to 10.\u00a0In Idaho, officials remind\u00a0people to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/coronavirus.idaho.gov\/recreate-responsibly\/\">recreate responsibly<\/a> including staying as close to home as possible.<\/p>\n<p>Rebecca Katz, director of the Center for Global Health Science and Security at Georgetown University Medical Center, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/health-shots\/2020\/05\/23\/861325631\/from-camping-to-dining-out-heres-how-experts-rate-the-risks-of-14-summer-activit\">told NPR<\/a>\u00a0that camping in an isolated outdoor location with your family may be a lower risk activity. Your risks increase if you&#8217;re at a crowded campground with a shared restroom and communal picnic areas, she told NPR in May.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI wouldn\u2019t\u00a0be\u00a0treating it as camping as usual,\u201d says Van Waes, of the American Hiking Society. \u201cPack it all out. Use your judgment\u00a0about the\u00a0touch points you might have with other people and shared facilities. Don\u2019t treat it like we\u2019re all back to \u2018normal\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She adds that <a href=\"https:\/\/lnt.org\/why\/7-principles\/\">Leave No Trace<\/a> is even more important now that local and national parks are short-staffed and in some places crowded.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"#top\"><strong>Back to top<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2 id=\"paddle\"><strong>Paddle Sports<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-159930 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/05\/P1251629.jpg?w=1024&#038;resize=1024%2C576\" alt=\"Man paddling on water.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" \/><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Guidance from REI partners<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.americanwhitewater.org\/content\/Article\/view\/articleid\/34444\/\">American Whitewater<\/a>\u00a0urges paddlers to make the health of others their number one priority.\u00a0The group\u00a0asks\u00a0paddlers\u00a0to respect restrictions and closures, stay local, be good river stewards\u00a0and maintain physical distancing outside.<\/p>\n<p>Evan Stafford,\u00a0the group\u2019s\u00a0communications director, acknowledges that\u00a0there\u2019s quite a bit of personal opinions and reactions to\u00a0the current situation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe know some people are going to get out,\u201d\u00a0he\u00a0says. \u201cOur take\u00a0on it\u00a0is that you can do it safely and we will make a\u00a0real\u00a0strong effort to provide\u00a0very\u00a0generalized guidelines\u00a0to make it a safer experience.\u201d<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Considerations while paddling<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Whitewater paddlers tend to gather at popular access points. \u201cThe take-out after-party is a regular occurrence and a part of paddling culture,\u201d Stafford says. \u201cWe\u2019re asking please don\u2019t do that, especially in large groups.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Shuttling\u00a0between\u00a0put-in\u00a0and\u00a0take-out\u00a0areas\u00a0can also be\u00a0hard\u00a0to do while social distancing. He advises\u00a0paddlers\u00a0to avoid\u00a0car\u00a0shuttles with folks outside\u00a0their\u00a0home. Get creative with\u00a0alternatives,\u00a0like\u00a0biking between points.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Go deeper<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Read guidance from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.americanwhitewater.org\/content\/Article\/view\/articleid\/34444\/\">American Whitewater<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.americancanoe.org\/news\/504417\/ACA-Update-on-COVID-19--May-1-2020.htm\">American Canoe Association<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"#top\"><strong>Back to top<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>_____________________________________________________________________________<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>REI writers Phuong Le and Sarah Grothjan contributed to this report.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Editor&#8217;s note: This article was first published on May 29, 2020. It was updated on Dec. 30, 2020 with the latest winter guidelines for responsible recreation. With winter in full swing, many continue to venture outside to ski, snowshoe, hike or play in the snow\u2014and find solace in nature during the current pandemic. But spending [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9145,"featured_media":165294,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3,4,387,685,9,11],"tags":[588,734,1999,707,110,364,66],"internal-tag":[],"class_list":["post-159849","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-camp","category-climb","category-cycle","category-hike","category-news","category-paddle","category-snowsports","tag-camping","tag-climbing","tag-covid-19","tag-hiking","tag-mountain-biking","tag-snowsports","tag-tips"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/rei.com\/blog\/news\/recreate-responsibly-an-activity-specific-guide","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Recreate Responsibly: An Activity-Specific Guide","url":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/news\/recreate-responsibly-an-activity-specific-guide","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/news\/recreate-responsibly-an-activity-specific-guide"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/07\/Harnois_012217_2868.jpg?resize=150%2C150","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/07\/Harnois_012217_2868.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333"},"articleSection":"Camp","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Phuong Le"}],"creator":["Phuong Le"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Uncommon Path \u2013 An REI Co-op Publication","logo":""},"keywords":["camping","climbing","covid-19","hiking","mountain biking","snowsports","tips"],"dateCreated":"2020-12-30T21:40:34Z","datePublished":"2020-12-30T21:40:34Z","dateModified":"2021-04-06T21:16:35Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"headline\":\"Recreate Responsibly: An Activity-Specific Guide\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/news\\\/recreate-responsibly-an-activity-specific-guide\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/news\\\/recreate-responsibly-an-activity-specific-guide\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2020\\\/07\\\/Harnois_012217_2868.jpg?resize=150%2C150\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rei.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/4\\\/2020\\\/07\\\/Harnois_012217_2868.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333\"},\"articleSection\":\"Camp\",\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Phuong Le\"}],\"creator\":[\"Phuong Le\"],\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"Uncommon Path \\u2013 An REI Co-op Publication\",\"logo\":\"\"},\"keywords\":[\"camping\",\"climbing\",\"covid-19\",\"hiking\",\"mountain biking\",\"snowsports\",\"tips\"],\"dateCreated\":\"2020-12-30T21:40:34Z\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-12-30T21:40:34Z\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-04-06T21:16:35Z\"}<\/script>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/rei.com\/p.js"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2020\/07\/Harnois_012217_2868.jpg?fit=2000%2C1333","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/159849","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9145"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=159849"}],"version-history":[{"count":65,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/159849\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":165779,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/159849\/revisions\/165779"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/165294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=159849"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=159849"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=159849"},{"taxonomy":"internal-tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-tag?post=159849"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}