How to begin canyoneering

[hummingbird]

Hey everyone,
I am crazy interested in getting into canyoneering but don't really know how to go about it. I have a bit of gear (harness, biners, rope, webbing...mostly stuff I've gathered you need from reading about canyoneering online) but I don't have any friends who are into it. I've thought about dragging a friend to Zion or elsewhere to take a class with me but I don't know if this is a favorable option. Any thoughts/advice? I would be much obliged!
Sarah

[maarten.1975]

Good morning Sarah,

Speaking for myself, I started hking in the South West of the States, and after finding out I couldn't reach certain areas, I decided to start learning canyoneering to get there after all. I started with a 1-day instruction course at the ZAC. This gave me a good basis of knowledge, which I'm now extending by doing the more basic canyons. (A 3-day course will be even better I think for basic knowledge.)

Problem is golden rule nr. 1 or 2 (don't know exactly which one): don't go alone. So I'd advise you to try and find some people who you can join for some canyoneering trips, after the course. Bogley is a perfect medium for this I think.

Sarah, I hope things work out for you. Good luck and stay safe!

[peakbaggers]

Welcome to the canyoneering community. We would add to MAARTEN's comments:
1. Take a canyoneering class or two or three. Several sources available depending on your geographic location. Just google "canyoneering classes" & find one closest to you. Many that offer classes participate in this forum.
2. Put a little more info out there about yourself - such as your geographic location & any skills background like climbing, mountaineering, canyon hiking etc. That may help others discern if you can fit into their plans, activities, etc.
3. Keep participating in this forum & others.
4. Consider attending the ACA Zion Rendevous in the fall & others.
5. Search "MEETUP" for canyoneering groups & activities.

Hope that helps.

[Deathcricket]

Hey everyone,
I am crazy interested in getting into canyoneering but don't really know how to go about it. I have a bit of gear (harness, biners, rope, webbing...mostly stuff I've gathered you need from reading about canyoneering online) but I don't have any friends who are into it. I've thought about dragging a friend to Zion or elsewhere to take a class with me but I don't know if this is a favorable option. Any thoughts/advice? I would be much obliged!
Sarah

Welcome to the site. Can you be in Zion this Sun? You can cruz with my crew, we are very noob friendly and haven't killed anyone in like 2 weeks. Send me a PM for details if you are interested.

Here is a TR from our last trip. http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthre...-men-in-misery

[Iceaxe]

Just make a post on Bogley something like "Noob looking for Canyoneering Partner".

Post where you are from, where you want to go, and some dates when you are available.... That usually works for hooking up with canyoneering partners. If you are from out of state (Utah) and offer to bring some good beer that's a bonus. Lots of other incentives a noob can offer like providing half the car shuttle, cooking dinner or carrying the ropes.

Good luck and welcome to Bogley

[Iceaxe]

Here is a TR from our last trip.

I'm not sure if I'd use that TR as a selling point.

[Deathcricket]

I'm not sure if I'd use that TR as a selling point.

That's exactly why I linked it. Didn't want to come off as a professional or anything. And after the last noob's girlfriend called SAR, I like to set the "expectation" bar very low.......

[ratagonia]

As the gentlemen have been pointing out, Sarah, not all people willing to take you on a trip are really experts. Taking a class can give you enough knowledge so that gentlemen's lack of expertise will not endanger your life.

Some options:

http://www.zionadventures.com - I work as a guide with Zion Adventures, but am mostly retired. I think we are the best act out there, but we are also not cheap. you could call and see if a suitable class has an opening.

If you are up on the Wasatch Front, you might find Steve and Clark at Dark Horse more convenient, and less expensive:

http://darkhorseleadership.com/

Tom

[Brian in SLC]

Might also check out the Wasatch Mountain Club if you're in Northern Utah.

As well, I think there's at least one meet up type group that canyons. And, folks here get out for "training" every once in awhile.

Speakin' of which, what's Rocky Mouth doing, flow wise?

[Brian in SLC]

Give Utah Mountain Adventures a shout out too...

http://www.utahmountainadventures.co...oneering.shtml

[joeb]

Sarah,
The smart, sensible thing to do would be to take a course. Or you could be cheap and not so smart like me:
1. Buy a couple books on canyoneering
2. Find a safe place to learn rappelling basics such as a local climbing gym
2. Go to Zion with a couple friends and do the basic canyons where you would be hard pressed to kill yourself as long as you are prepared with map, route description, proper equipment, etc (hurt yes - death would take some ingenuity)
a, Subway
b, Orderville
c, Keyhole
d, Middle Echo
At this point, if you like the sport, get together with more experienced canyoneers or take a course to get the tools necessary to move up to the next level of canyons.

Note, this "self-taught" approach assumes you are already comfortable in the outdoors, reading a map, basic first aid, etc. If not, go ahead and spend the money on a course.

Have fun and good luck!

[hank moon]

Hi Sarah

As long as we're slinging advice to strangers, please consider adding a suitable (ideally CE/UIAA rated) helmet to your list of equipment - and then wear it. Perusing the TRs on this site, you might see folks using good safety equipment (proper ropes, harnesses, etc.) but wearing no helmets (sometimes they are hanging off of backpacks, to protect important sandwiches or bananas, presumably). Protect your head. It's the only one you've got.

- Specialist Hank of the Brain Rangers aka Melon Patrol aka Helmet Police

p.s. And take a course - even if only a short one. I would not take a cheap one, because you really do get what you pay for.

[Deathcricket]

[Iceaxe]

Speakin' of which, what's Rocky Mouth doing, flow wise?

Soon as I get a spare day I'll be taking my kids to Rocky Mouth to give them some instruction on Class C.... maybe we could do a Bogley training thing for anyone that wants to attend.... I also need to shoot some video of the falls.

[Brian in SLC]

Some night after work would be sweet!

Given the low snowpack this winter, my bet is its dryin' up already...

[ratagonia]

So cool we can quote attachments now!

Deathcricket - I would think you would find enough objectionable materials in my actual posts, that you would not be so trollish as to fabricate posts from me to quote. Please do not do so.

You can make the same "humorous comment" without falsely attributing it to me.

Tom

[hank moon]

Deathcricket - I would think you would find enough objectionable materials in my actual posts, that you would not be so trollish as to fabricate posts from me to quote. Please do not do so.

You can make the same "humorous comment" without falsely attributing it to me.

Tom

I thought the post was funny - especially b/c it seemed to be a quote from one of Tom's posts.

Context: not funny
Content: still funny
Not wearing a helmet while canyoneering: selfish and un-self-caring

[Scott Card]

I wonder if the hummingbird will come back?

Ice telling her to bring beer and carry ropes, NOOB's girlfriend calling SAR, buy classes, back-handed smacks between canyoneers, helmet patrol issuing citations without violations......Boy! Do we know how to sell a sport!

Sarah, just start. Start with the Subway, one of the best hikes ever, follow the Canyons Group on Yahoo or hang out with the misfits here and hook up with some groups. Invites are going out all the time.

[Iceaxe]

That's canyoneers for ya.... take something simple and make it complicated.

[hummingbird]

The hummingbird is back...I know it's a really cool name and you're all jealous. Thanks for your replies, I like you guys already even though I am just trying to keep up. And Deathcricket, your TR doesn't daunt me but unfortunately I'll be stuck working on Sunday :(
Also, since I apparently have to protect my noggin will a skating helmet do?