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Climbing and remote work: How to manage life on the road

Is it really possible to perfectly balance climbing and remote working so that you can really ‘climb now, work later’? Well, this guide gives you all the information you need on how to make it happen.

If you consider yourself a fanatic climber just like us, then welcome into this dream world of freedom!

Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? You didn’t know it at the time, but the moment you touched a rock for the first time and it was a match, there was no turning back. The call to hang out by the boulders or at the crag is like a virus that needs several days to incubate.

By the time you realise what’s happening, you’re already hooked and you must climb! Fortunately, this climbing virus is something positive that will only improve your life, bring you many friends, and open doors to numerous life opportunities.

Balancing work and climbing while travelling

There are many topics out there on how to find a work-life balance and that’s great! However, not enough for those who see climbing as life. So, my focus will be on maintaining the work-climb balance after you’ve found your key to hack the 9-6 schedule.

I switched to freelancing more than 5 years ago; before that, I had a normal 9 to 6 job. From my experience, the Work, Travel, and Climb concept can be more manageable when you’re travelling solo or you share the trip with someone who also does computer work. Some say it’s easier when you have a fully converted van, similar to those following Nate’s Murphy van conversion course.

However, don’t be fooled! no matter which situation you find yourself in there will always be challenges that make life on the road more exciting! Keep in mind that depending on location, renting a flat can get quite expensive. As well as buying a van and converting it!

So whether you are on a budget or simply enjoy life (literally) on the road, aka living in your simple (mini) van and sleeping in car parks, apart from the adventurous positive side, working remotely while traveling can sometimes feel overwhelming.

So althought the ‘climb now, work later’ mantra sounds exciting and liberating…it also requires careful planning and time management for it to be sustainable and carefree.

Challenges as a nomad, freelancer or remote worker when travelling

I sometimes feel that freelancing is similar to a bank contract: you’re happy you got your money but don’t forget it comes with interest! The gift of freelancing does come with great freedom.

However, there are also quite a few responsibilities, some things you’ll need to learn to accept, or challenges that you’re going to have to face – all of them beautifully wrapped.

Not affording real time off

In my case, my lifestyle doesn’t make me want to take a complete break from it. However, everyone needs to cut off work from time to time.

Being responsible for your own time

Not having to respect someone’s imposed schedule might be more difficult than you think! For example, you will probably not be late to work but when you work on a flexible schedule you might find yourself often postponing your work tasks.

The fear of missing out

The idea of a nomad lifestyle is great on paper and so was my very first work and climb two-month trip to Greece!

We were a group of 6 friends and I easily said “yes” thinking that I would work early in the mornings so I could free up my afternoons. Wrong! I learned that is close to impossible to watch a screen while sailing (we started our trip by sailing for 2 weeks) and it is very hard to make a shared small space cosy for working.

In short, I tried to use the advantage of remote work by adjusting my schedule to coincide with the days we were on land. It seemed like a comforting idea, and slightly better than just forcing work from the boat. However, whenever we got on land it was every time to a new place.

When in a new place, what do you do? You explore and make the most of it, right? (lol) I did manage to squeeze in some work at the price of isolating myself from the group. I came to terms with the fact that you win some and lose some – the satisfaction of completing my work versus the disappointment of not being able to explore beautiful places with my friends.

Social pressure

Social pressure can be a tricky thing to deal with. Some people may tell you that you’re fortunate to be living the life you’re living, and it can be frustrating to hear this, especially if you believe that everyone is free to make their own choices in life.

As someone who comes from a corporate background, I understand that every choice has its pros and cons, and it’s up to the individual to decide whether they’re willing to accept the downsides that come with their choices.

For instance, if you choose to be a freelancer and have a flexible schedule, you might not get paid vacation time, retirement, or healthcare benefits. Therefore, living your dream life, whether it’s related to climbing or not, is about choosing what’s right for you and being willing to take some risks to achieve your goals. It’s not just a matter of luck.

Impostor syndrome

Many people who don’t have an office job experience it. It’s unclear if it diminishes with time or if one learns to handle it better but I remember having days when I felt guilty for being at the crag on a Wednesday and posting a story about it even though I worked on the weekends.

Sometimes I felt like I didn’t deserve the money I earned because I didn’t feel miserable during the working days and enjoyed doing my work instead.

Tips for a successful nomad life AND maximising your climbing

Climbing and remote work: How to manage life on the road

Get yourself a productive workspace

First and most importantly: get yourself a productive workspace. This means, if possible, separating yourself from distractions. For example, I own a Caddy and I find the lack of space an issue for both my creativity and posture. So whenever I am travelling by van I try to make sure I have coffee shops around where I can go and work from.

Avoid anxiety and stay organised

Our brains love and need routine and you’re going to need to establish one especially when working remotely. The advantage is that you don’t actually have to stick to the traditional 9 to 6. However, setting up your working hours is an important step because it will not only help you be productive but it will also prevent burnout.

Find a preparation ritual that works for you

I believe that every activity we engage in requires a preparation ritual. A good session of climbing requires a warmup, just like a productive working day requires appropriate work clothes that put us in a professional mindset.

Some people assume that working remotely means working in pajamas, and eventually from bed. However, it’s difficult to be productive in a job that requires creativity, coding, or any other type of work if we’re still in our pajamas at noon.

Noise-cancelling headphones

Buy them, now! I can’t emphasise how important those are especially when you are traveling or sharing the living space with other people.

Reliable internet connection

It doesn’t matter how serious you are if you’ll have to excuse yourself a few times for bad or no connection at all. For this make sure wherever you are travelling you’ll going to be able to connect.

Deliver good work and deliver it when you say you will

Or close to it! For a truly successful freelancer neglecting their professional obligations is out of the question.

Communicate proactively and be transparent with your work

The internet IS your office. While being at a desk implies everybody seeing you, when you’re not in the same office things change and clear communication becomes key to avoiding misunderstandings.

Transparency not only helps with building trust but it sets a clear message of wanting to keep your employer in the loop.

Set boundaries that you will respect

Just because you’re not in an office doesn’t mean work should get any less of your attention. To avoid distractions, I check my phone during my breaks and usually keep it on mute.

Respect your working schedule

When working remotely, it can be tempting to postpone your work tasks and indulge in socialising. While it’s nice to be spontaneous and take advantage of the freedom that comes with remote work, it’s important to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Avoid making a habit of mixing your personal and professional life, as it can lead to chaos!

Slow travelling

I enjoy spending at least a month in climbing destinations. This not only benefits me but also the local communities and the planet through sustainable travel. Slow traveling allows me to explore different cultures, meet new people, and connect with the place. Additionally, it allows me to follow most of my tips for having a successful digital nomad life:

  • No rush to climb or explore the surroundings
  • More freedom to adapt your working schedule to your climbing
  • No rush to get anywhere so you can walk, take a bike, or use public transportation
  • More peace of mind and time to connect with locals

Healthcare

It’s part of your responsibilities as an ‘adult’ and it is crucial to take care of your health. Make sure that you have access to healthcare services wherever you go, and if necessary, explore options for good health insurance. Although we don’t want to jinx it, accidents can happen anytime, so it’s better to be prepared.

Keep a journal

Last but not least: maintain the habit of keeping a journal to remind yourself every day about just how grateful you are for this amazing life you created! It will help with those impostor-syndrome days!

(Top) climbing locations that are remote work-friendly

Thailand, Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a great spot for coffee-loving climbers like myself. It’s also a popular destination for nomads due to its affordable living costs and abundance of co-working spaces.

The location is particularly convenient as it’s close to ‘Crazy Horse Buttress’, a limestone rock suitable for climbers of all levels. Additionally, Chiang Mai offers a rich cultural experience for those looking to explore beyond the climbing scene.

Monkey World: known for its picturesque views and exploration of the wilderness, this climbing site features a variety of boulders and routes suitable for most climbing levels.

Thailand, Tonsai Beach

Tonsai is a well-known paradise that offers everything to its visitors including amazing climbing, beach time, and a great atmosphere for socialising at bars. You can have a stunning experience while also being able to easily find remote work-friendly places where you can chill.

Greece, Leonidio

Leonidio is a climber’s paradise that offers a mix of nature, Greek culture, and food. It is a stunning and nomad-friendly place that provides various climbing experiences, including Tufas and steep to vertical and non-crimpy climbing. Greeks are famous for their hospitality so the locals are friendly, and there are plenty of bars to enjoy.

My favorite spot for working is the Panjika Cooperative. They offer excellent wifi, coffee, and good vibes. And, if you’re looking for a flat to rent, check Leonidio-apartments: the host, Alexandra, is amazing and will connect you with everything you need while you’re there!

Spain (Catalunya), Coll de Nargo

I spent two winters and a spring in Coll de Nargo, a small village in Catalunya, Spain. This place is surrounded by incredible rock formations, particularly famous for its beautiful limestone. It’s also known for its delicious patatas bravas and chill atmosphere.

The village is bordered by world-class climbing sites such as Oliana, Terradets – Tufa Land, a small bouldering area in Perles, and the stunning bouldering site of Targasonne, which is just over an hour’s drive away. It’s generally easy to find a flat to rent or share, and the local community is very welcoming.

During the climbing season, you’ll find many climbers in the area. On rainy days, you can train at The Temple, Patxi Usobiaga’s gym, which is small but very efficient (it has a moonboard and showers). And during the day, you can work from the local bar, La Sociedad bar!

Freelancing industries for life on the road

Below are some of the potential industries that have the potential to go well with the nomad lifestyle:

  • IT
  • Marketing
  • Writing
  • Customer Service
  • Project management
  • Data analytics
  • Consultancy
  • Education

Other ‘must-haves’ for a nomad

Climbing gear

Don’t forget your climbing gear! 🙂

Computer

Second, to support this lifestyle, remember to bring: your computer. I use a Macbook because it runs smoothly, it’s very portable and durable AND its battery lasts forever.

Chargers

Chargers are a lifesaver when you run out of power or find yourself in a remote location while working. I own a Volkswagen Caddy, which is a minivan, and I usually plan ahead when I know I won’t have access to the conveniences of civilisation. I charge my power banks to ensure that I have enough power. If you have solar panels and a large van, then you are in luck!

Celluar data

Cellular data coverage can be a great option when you need to work from your van or when the Wi-Fi signal is weak. If you’re traveling abroad, it’s recommended to get a local SIM card as it’s usually cheaper than roaming, and the internet connection is better. For instance, when I’m in Spain, I use Vodafone and I pay around 20 euros for 100 GB/month.

Skincare

Lasting skin means more climbing! Do check out our article on how to look after your climber’s hands.

Wrapping up

To wrap it up, keep in mind remote working and climbing are more accessible than you think and it can generally be done from everywhere. Is not complicated, it’s just different and our society is still getting used to it. I wouldn’t know but I bet now is easier than it was 10 years ago!

Try using remote work as your super power! And, very importantly, remember to relax from time to time and allow yourself to ENJOY the freedom you earned by sometimes taking some time off. I call this the art of doing nothing. Or, as the Italians say: Dolce far niente.

What are your unique experiences and struggles as a remote worker and what hacks did you find? Do share your experience with us!

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