10 essential canyoneering tips you should know by heart
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So, you’re ready to join the fashion elite, decked out in head-to-toe neoprene to play in some narrow and sinewy canyons? Great! Here are 10 things to keep in mind while you explore the chilly chambers as a subterranean explorer.
1. Know the longest drop in the canyon and bring TWICE as much rope as that. Why twice as much? Ropes get stuck dummy! They also can get cut accidentally or on purpose for a rescue. Twice as much rope for normal canyons is wise, even if the backup one is significantly thinner than the main rope, used mainly as a pull-cord and emergency line. If you have a large group and/or are taking on a longer canyon with many long drops, three times as much may make sense. Bring along some young whipper snappers who want to prove how strong/fast/tough they are. They make excellent pack horses.
2. Measure your ropes. Doesn’t it say the length on the end of the rope, though? Yeah, it does. But, how do you know someone didn’t cut some length of rope off the other end? Well, if you never lend out your ropes and purchased each line new, you still do not confidently know that 60m rope is still 60m. Why, you ask, dear reader? Shrinkage. Just like George in the pool or those 32 waist Levi’s that fit a bit snug after repeated washings, water makes things, such as ropes in wet canyons, shrink. Physics, really. Or in the case of your jeans – too many trips to the dessert bar.
3. Headlamps. You’d be surprised how dark it can get in some deep or tight canyons. A little extra light is helpful to make sure the knots are tied correctly and you can properly inspect webbing and other anchors left by previous parties.
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4. Cold water protection. More science for you: In addition to the lack of sunlight creating dark conditions, it also means the water in the bottom of these canyons can be quite chilly. Yes, it may have been 90 degrees on the approach hike, but it could be 60-degree air where the sun don’t shine, with water in the 40s. Shrinkage! Bring some neoprene – even a shorty. You’ll thank me later.
5. Friction. Canyoneering static ropes tend to be thin and slippery, due to their waterproof nature that keeps them from getting heavy by minimizing absorbed water. These two factors can make longer raps get out of hand speed-wise quickly. Wear leather gloves and know how to add and reduce friction while on rap and with one hand. Hint: That’s not the hand currently holding the rope in the brake position while you are wondering why there was a ton of friction at the top and then all of a sudden….ZIP! Ah, more physics.
6. Water bottles. Leave the camelbacks at home. You know what they say about things flowing downhill? Look above, you are where all the decomposing matter flowed downhill! Yup, that’s what that smell is! The last thing I want is to have a hydration hose submerged in that muck before I put it in my mouth. I opt for some Nalgene bottles inside a ziploc in my pack.
7. Alternate canyons. Be flexible. If the weather looks like it may turn or your group is slower than you had anticipated, knowing what other canyons are in the area can be the difference between and epic (not good) and an epic time (really good). A last-minute pivot in plans can make or break a trip and friendships.
8. Contacts and glasses. I once ran into a group halfway through the Keyhole in Zion. A relatively short, but cold canyon. One guy had dropped his glasses in a pool of waist deep water, roughly the color of nutella. He was near hypothermic (see Tip #4) searching for his glasses, as he couldn’t see more than five feet in front of himself. Bring a backup pair of contacts or glasses. Or at least use some Croakies.
9. Safety third. Seriously, this is a serious sport with serious risks and even more serious consequences. Wear a helmet, make sure newbies understand the basics, belay each other from the bottom of each rap, sending an experienced person down first (and last).
10. Portable shower bag. Leave it on the roof of your car and with any luck after the slog back to the vehicles you will have a hot shower to clean off the canyon funk and gunk. Playing the part of seasoned vet, offer some fresh rinse time to anyone you plan to (or are hoping to) share a tent with tonight.
Now that you’re expecting hypothermia, in a setting of brown water, searching for lost gear in the dark with rope burns on your hand, let me say this: canyoneering is a beautiful sport. You’ll see corners of the world very few see, using fun gear and splashing around with your buddies. It’s a blast, especially if you keep these 10 tips in mind! Rap on!
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