Welcome to Canyoning Fundamentals Part I
This chapter dives into the two leading Canyon Rating Systems. Applying this knowledge lets you choose canyons that match your experience level. Once you finish this chapter, you'll be able to:
Canyon Rating Systems: Identify the two standard Canyon Rating Systems and explain key components of the North American canyon rating system, such as technical difficulty, water levels, and time commitment, and understand the limitations of the rating systems.
Terrain & Movements: Differentiate between various canyon movement techniques (stemming, chimneying, bridging, partner assist, partner capture, spotting, up climbing, down climbing and their applications across multiple canyon situations.
Equipment: Learn the basics about what kind of canyoneering-specific equipment is used.
Rappelling is a fundamental skill in technical canyoning. This module will guide you through the essential steps. By the end, you will learn:
Equipment and terminology: Understand the different types of equipment and terminology used in canyoning. Familiarity with these terms will enable you to ask better questions and communicate effectively in the field.
Partner Checks: Learn the critical elements of checking your teammates, including a helpful acronym to remember all the steps.
Communication: Master call and response systems, including both verbal and non-verbal commands.
Loading your rappel device: Learn how to load a rappelling device for both double-strand and single-strand rappels.
Rappel stance: Understand the proper body position and maneuvers for a safe and controlled rappel.
Identify and avoid hazards: Learn how to navigate over overhangs, understand the fall line, recognize the risks of pendulums, and use proper hand placements to avoid trapped hands.
Adjusting friction and lock-offs: Learn how to adjust friction to control your descent and how to stop and lock off your device safely.
Guided rappels: Understand the steps for rappelling a guideline.
Learn how to construct knots, bends and hitches. Understand the differences between knots, bends, and hitches.
Load releasing friction are utilized for many important canyoning skills. You want to be sure you use a hands free back up when you are rappelling first as you do not have a belayer. You will use one of these rope grabs to perform self rescue and when you need to pass the knot due to a core shot. You will use rope grabs when you employ advanced rescue systems, hauls, conversion, and pick offs. Check out Rescue Canyoneer to learn about advanced rescue systems.
In this chapter, you will learn how to transport the rope for the approach, deploy it to set the rappel length, pull it, and bag it.
Transporting Rope with Single Butterfly Coil: Learn how to tie a tight butterfly coil so it won’t come loose during the approach or if it snags on trees.
Deploying Rope: Learn how to throw your rope properly down a rappel.
Butterfly Coil Toss: This quick method is ideal for shorter rappels free of obstacles.
Torpedo Method: Use this method when you cannot see the bottom and must throw the rope far to clear any obstacles.
Retrieving Rope: While it seems simple to do, a lot of thought and care must be taken when pulling the rope. By the end of this chapter, you will understand why it is essential to rig in the direction of pull and how to carefully retrieve your rope so that you can continue your descent.
Bagging Rope: Bagging rope requires a lot of work. Do your part to clean while others move ahead and set up to keep the team moving. By the end of this chapter, you will be able to bag your rope efficiently.
Belay Short Down Climbs: Learn techniques to safely assist team members during short down climbs, ensuring controlled descents and preventing slips and falls.
Perform Hip Belays: Understand how to use your body to create friction and control a team member's descent. This technique is useful when no obvious anchors are available for a short down climb.
Perform a Firefighter’s Belay: Master this method to provide an effective backup during rappels and catch a rappeller in the event of a fall or loss of control.
Awesome Job! You have made it to the last chapter. Now we are going to review how to be a good canyon steward. By the end of this module you will know the following concepts:
Recognize the importance of the canyon ecosystem and how to preserve it’s delicate balance.
Understand and Demonstrate Leave no Trace principles while canyoning.
Practice low-impact canyoning techniques, such as using existing anchors and minimizing markings.
Cultivate a stewardship mindset and a commitment to preserving these environments for future generations.
Appreciate the value of preparedness and continuous skill development in canyoning for minimizing environmental impact.
Essential elements of safe canyoning.