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wading, swimming, boulder hopping, rock

climbing and rappelling. Some are calling it the

next hot adventure sport. Today there are more

people exploring canyons in more places than

ever before. As interest in the sport grows, so do

concerns regarding safety and conservation of

our limited canyon resources. Continued access

to the canyons and the freedom to choose the

rules of our sport will depend greatly on the level

of responsibility we accept for our own decisions

and actions.

This booklet is published and distributed free

by the American Canyoneering Association. It is

the result of contributions of time, energy and

money from many individuals who all

share a passion for canyoneering.

We hope that the information and

principles presented will help

make your canyoneering

adventures safer and that an

abiding concern for our canyons

will become part of your

canyoneering routine.

C anyoneering is a term used to describe an

adventure sport that combines hiking,

© Copyright 2001-2002 American Canyoneering Association

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Canyoneering Checklist ...............................

Canyoneering Safety ...................................

Flash Floods - Know Before You Go ...........

Flash Flood Awareness ................................

Flash Flood Response ..................................

General Safety Concerns .............................

Don’t Count on Rescue ................................

Planning for Escape or Retreat ...................

Canyoneering Ethics ....................................

Leave No Trace .............................................

Etiquette ........................................................

Permits and Trespassing .............................

Anchors ..........................................................

American Canyoneering Association .........

Technical Canyoneering Courses ................

FREE Natural Anchor Workshops ................

How to Choose a Canyoneering Guide .......

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Canyoneering

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Canyoneering ChecklistThis checklist is provided as a guideline to help you preparefor your canyoneering adventure.

✔ Limit group size to no more than six people. Breakup larger groups into smaller ones. Smaller groupsmove more efficiently.

✔ Know your abilities and the abilities of each memberin your group, and never exceed the abilities of theleast experienced person in your group. Inside anarrow canyon is not an appropriate place to learnhow to rappel. Master these skills before you entera canyon.

✔ Verify route information prior to entering thecanyon. Canyon conditions vary with the season andcanyons change from year to year. Some guidebooksare known to contain errors and even the bestguidebooks will ultimately become outdated. Checkwith rangers or other local sources for currentinformation. There’s no such thing as too muchinformation.

✔ Study the watershed. Estimate its overall size todetermine the extent of the weather information youwill need. Check for recent precipitation, snow andother risk factors such as dams.

✔ Check with rangers or other local authoritiesregarding permit requirements and restrictions oncamping, hiking and equipment use in the area youplan to visit.

✔ Check the local and regional weather forecast andlocal weather patterns.

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✔ Study your map to identify possibleescape routes.

✔ Plan ahead for escape or retreat.

✔ Hone your navigation skills.It is important to carry a detailedtopographic map of the canyon,but it won’t do you much goodif you don’t know how to use it.

✔ Assess equipment requirementsincluding footwear, apparel, hardwareand the rope lengths needed for the longestrappel. If you don’t have the equipment you needto descend safely, don’t attempt the descent. If youdon’t know how to use the equipment properly, getprofessional instruction.

✔ Wear helmets anytime there is a risk of rockfall,when climbing or down climbing, and whenrappelling. In other words - always!

✔ Make realistic time estimates, then add some extratime for contingencies. Things can go wrong andsolving problems is always easier in the light of day.

✔ Get an early start.

✔ Prepare for contingencies. Take a flashlight, dryclothing, extra water and food, first aid kit and rescuegear. Don’t let a little problem turn into a tragedybecause you are not prepared.

✔ Tell someone where you are going, what you plan todo and when you plan to return. If a rescue becomesnecessary, it won’t begin until someone reports youmissing. The odds of a successful rescue will beincreased if the search and rescue team knowswhere to look.

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Canyoneering SafetyCanyoneering is not without risk and accidents do occur justas they do in any outdoor pursuit. Equipment is lost ordamaged, injuries are sustained and sometimes there aredeaths. The key to your safety will be to recognize,acknowledge and plan for the risks. Only then can you makesound decisions and take appropriate steps to avoid orminimize problems. It can make the difference between walkingout, being carried out, or perhaps not getting out at all.

Flash Floods - Know Before You GoFlash floods present the single greatest threat to canyoneers.Canyons were created by water and they continue to serve asthe path of least resistance for rain and melting snow. Floodsconcentrate in narrow canyons, becoming furious and violent,often raising the water level ten feet or more in a matter ofseconds.There are a number of factors that contribute to the potentialfor a flash flood - the most obvious of which is the weather. Abasic understanding of meteorology is critical for everycanyoneer. Before you enter any canyon, be sure to check theforecast for the entire watershed and be aware of local weatherpatterns. Keep in mind that forecasts are not 100% reliable.You should also consider factors such as watershed, potentialrunoff, upstream precipitation, snowmelt and dams.

Watershed is the total land area that drains into the canyon.A small amount of rain over a large watershed can cause adramatic flash flood. Similarly, an intense storm in one part ofthe watershed many miles away can create a flash flood whereyou are, sometimes many hours later. Study your maps andscout the watershed terrain. On steep rocky slopes, water willtend to run along the surface rather than be absorbed into theground. This runoff leads to flash floods.

Upstream precipitation should be your greatest concernwhen evaluating flash flood risk. How far upstream dependson the size of the watershed that feeds the canyon. If thewatershed is small, upstream could mean only a few miles. Ifthe watershed is large, upstream could mean a hundred miles

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and the sky above it will be too far away to watch. Checkinglocal weather patterns will give you an idea of the directionfrom which weather systems develop. If they tend to developfrom the west and the canyon runs from east to west, youmay see changes in the weather forming as it passes over youmoving upstream. If they tend to develop from the east,changes could occur behind you without your knowledge. Itwill be even more critical to seek accurate and timely weatherinformation and to analyze all of the other factors described inthis section.

Recent precipitation should also be checked. If the groundis already saturated, it will absorb less new precipitation,leaving more to flow along the surface. Recent rain increasesthe risk of flash floods.Snow anywhere within the watershed must be considered. Thecombined volume of rain and melting snow can create adeluge, even in canyons with small watersheds.

Other risk factors such as dams should also be considered.As you study your maps and scout the watershed, look closelyfor natural and man-made dams. A beaver dam, or even alogjam, can create a reservoir of water that could be releasedall at once if it breaks. Even if the watershed is not wooded,don’t discount the possibility that a natural dam could have

Flash Flood -- Before and During Photos by Patrick Gimat

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been created by a rock slide or the accumulation of vegetation.While there may not be much risk of a man-made dambreaking, it is common for water to be intentionally releasedwhen the reservoir becomes too full or irrigation is neededdownstream. With a telephone call to the dam operator youcan determine if a release is likely and inform the dam operatorof your plans.

Flash Flood AwarenessEven when all possible precautions have been taken, flashfloods can catch you unaware. Once you are in a canyon, it isimportant that you protect yourself by remaining constantlyaware of potential warning signs.

➥ Water Level. Watch for a sudden rise in water level oran increase in speed.

➥ Debris. Watch for an increase in floating debris suchas pinecones, needles, small twigs and leaves.

➥ Water Color. Watch for sudden or unexpected changesin water color.

➥ Smell. Pay attention to changes in the air. Rain andmud both have recognizable smells and can be awarning sign.

➥ Sound. Survivors and witnesses have described thedeadliest of flash floods as a “wall of water” crashingdown the canyon. The sound is described as a loudroar like thunder.

Flash Flood ResponseUnfortunately, none of these warning signs are foolproof orabsolute. It is certainly possible for a flash flood to occur withno warning whatsoever. If you are lucky enough to receive awarning, time will be of the essence - you must move quickly.Better to take an action that turns out to be unnecessary thanto hesitate and be swept away.

➥ Don’t try to outrun a flash flood. You will lose.➥ Seek high ground immediately. Preferably at an inside

bend in the stream. Centrifugal force will push waterhigher on the outside of a bend. High ground can oftenbe recognized by dense, mature vegetation. Lines or

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General Safety ConcernsThe risks involved in canyoneering include many that arecommon to all outdoor adventures - getting struck bylightening, bitten by animals, stung by insects, twisting yourankle - plus a few that are unique to canyoneering orexacerbated by canyon environments. Most problems can beavoided if you are prepared. Frequently people neglect to learnabout the canyon they plan to enter. They discover too latethat they do not have the proper clothing, gear or skills andthe result can be tragic. The list below is a guideline of generalsafety concerns to consider before entering any canyon.

erosion on the canyon walls can also indicate highwater marks.

➥ Shed your pack. Don’t let a heavy pack or otherequipment slow you down. No equipment is worthyour life - drop it and get to high ground.

➥ Wait for the flood to subside. Do not try to travelacross or through a flooded canyon. This mayrequire waiting 24 hours or more. Be patient.

➥ Assume the defensive swimming position. If you areunable to reach high ground and are swept away bythe current, roll over on your back, feet downstream.Wearing a helmet will increase your odds of survival.

The aspects of canyoneering that make it soappealing -- remote, pristine wilderness andtechnical challenge -- also make rescue verydifficult. Rescue could take many hours, evendays, and there is no guarantee of success.You must take responsibility for your own safetyby being prepared.

Photo by Tom Jones

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Drowning. It is critical that you honestly assess yourswimming ability before committing to a descent that requireslong swims or swims in strong current. When in doubt, besure to have adequate floatation. This could be a life jacket ora dry bag filled with air for buoyancy. Even strong swimmerscan sometimes experience difficulty. Fatigue can be acceleratedby cold water. Swimming in current wearing a bulky wet suit,heavily laden with ropes and gear, is a lot more challengingthan swimming laps in your backyard pool.

Hypothermia occurs when conditions overwhelm thebody’s ability to maintain a constant temperature. In the coldwaters of deep, narrow canyons - beyond the reach of the sun’swarming rays - hypothermia is a serious problem.Uncontrollable shivering, bluish lips and fingernails, andslurred speech are warning signs. Hypothermia can cause poordecision making, disorientation and, if not remedied, death.Hypothermia can also be a major contributing factor indrowning. Protect yourself by wearing appropriate apparel. Ifconditions warrant, wear a wet suit or dry suit. Take a changeof warm, dry clothes. Pack them in waterproof bags so theywill be dry when you need them.

Heat Related Injuries. Heat exhaustion is caused byprolonged exposure to the sun. Dehydration is the lack of fluidin the body and results from inadequate water intake.Dehydration can speed the onset of other heat injuries. Heatrelated injuries can cause dizziness, fatigue, disorientation andpoor coordination. If not remedied, heatstroke can develop.Heat stroke occurs when the body core temperature risesbeyond the capacity of the body to cool or cope. Heat stroke isvery serious and can quickly lead to death.

Foot Injuries. Wet feet, blisters, sprains, broken bones -foot injuries of all types are common in canyoneering. Findingthe right footwear is very important. Wear shoes that provideadequate support. It is easy to roll an ankle walking on riverrocks. Sandals and other lightweight shoes are generally notappropriate. Soles with good traction on wet rock will helpprevent slips and falls.

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Deep inside a canyon, even a minorinjury can create major problems.

Don’t Count on RescueCanyoneering will take you into someof the most spectacular and remotelandscapes you will ever see. Thetechnical problems that you encounterwill challenge your abilities andheighten your sense of adventure. Butkeep in mind that the very elementsthat make canyoneering appealing willalso complicate a rescue if it becomes

necessary. If you or someone in your group becomes injured,it will be difficult for a search and rescue team to find you,gain access to render medical care, and extricate you from thecanyon. Rescue could take several days and there is noguarantee of success. You must take responsibility for yourown safety by being prepared.

Planning for Escape or RetreatAs you descend a canyon it is critical that you constantlyconsider your options for escape or retreat. Escape refers toexiting the canyon to the rim through breaks in the canyonwall - climbable cracks, tributaries, steep gullies, lower-angledslopes, or a series of shelves. Retreat refers to retracing yourroute and returning upstream by climbing the rock or ascendingfixed ropes. Planning for escape or retreat is especiallyimportant during first descents when the difficulty of the terrainahead is unknown. It is also important when you question thereliability of the information you received regarding the canyon(i.e. anchors, rope length required, water volume) or you areconcerned about the likelihood of a flash flood. An awarenessof your options will allow you to make better decisions in anemergency or to change your plans if you discover that youmiscalculated the time required to complete the descent.

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The planning process should begin even before you enterthe canyon. Study your topographic map to identify potentialexits. If possible, scout each exit from the rim. If it does notappear that any natural exits exist, consider hanging fixedropes over the rim at strategic locations to facilitate your exitif it becomes necessary. Once you begin your descent, refer tothe map often to remain aware of the location of each potentialexit. Is the closest exit a little ways ahead of you or behindyou? As you pass each exit, study it to determine if it is actuallydoable. Can you exit here quickly or will it require setting upprotection and belays? While you’re at it, keep your eyes openfor high ground. Constantly ask yourself; “If a flash flood cameright now, where would I go?” This mental exercise candrastically reduce your reaction time in the event of an actualflash flood and could save your life.

If you are uncertain about your ability to escape to the rim,it will be wise to plan ahead for the possibility of retreat. Donot pull your rope immediately after a rappel. Leave it fixeduntil you are certain of an exit downstream. Then return topull the rope.

Canyoneering is fun and we encourage you toexplore, but remember that your safety is yourresponsibility. Your decision to enter a canyonwhen the risks are high or you are unpreparedcould have dire consequences.

When in doubt, stay out!The canyon will still be there tomorrow.

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Canyoneering EthicsPart of the attraction of canyoneering is the sense of discoveryand adventure we feel as we descend each canyon for the firsttime. This sensation is heightened when we find them in theirnatural state, showing minimal evidence of previous visitors.Unfortunately, impacts that were insignificant or wentunnoticed when there were fewer canyoneers have begun toaccumulate and diminish the natural character of our canyons.Many ethical issues have arisen as participants debateappropriate ways to protect the pristine nature of our canyonsin light of increased use.Once in a while we hear someone refer to “THE canyoneeringethic.” But each time we hear the term we hear a differentdefinition, especially as it relates to the use of fixed artificialanchors. There is not enough agreement among participantsto establish one set of rules for this emerging sport and it isnot our intent to dictate such rules. We only wish to suggestsome things that you should consider doing to help maintainthe natural beauty and serenity of our canyons.

Leave No Trace

➥ Check with rangers or other local authorities regardingrestrictions on camping, hiking and equipment use inthe area you plan to visit.

➥ Stay on established trails. If no trail exists, walk on themost durable surface possible.

➥ Stay as low in the watercourse as possible when youare in a canyon. This way, your footprints will bewashed away more quickly and you will be less likelyto cause erosion.

➥ Be careful not to step on or damage plants, includingcryptobiotic soil.

➥ Minimize disturbances to the environment. Nevermodify an area to make a campsite. The best campsitesare natural and do not need to be improved. Camp onslick rock or open sand.

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➥ Use a tent rather than build a natural shelter. In anemergency, if you have to build a natural shelter,dismantle it and scatter the remains before you leave.

➥ Clean up after yourself. Do not leave wrappers, foodor any other refuse in the canyon. You packed it in -you can pack it out.

➥ Leave the canyon cleaner than you found it. Pick upall litter you find in the canyon.

➥ Bury or pack out all human waste. Human waste leftin narrow slot canyons, in alcoves, under overhangs,under rocks, or in any other dark, cool environmentwill not break down readily. Bury it at least six inchesdeep and 200 feet away from any water. The bestlocation will have maximum sun exposure - on bareground away from vegetation. In many canyons this isnot possible, so you must be prepared to carry out yourwaste. Pack out your toilet paper, or, if fire warningsallow, burn it thoroughly.

➥ Use stoves instead of fires whenever possible. Firesleave long lasting scars and impact the surroundingecology.

➥ Leave ruins, artifacts and pictographs as you foundthem so that others may enjoy them, too. Do not touch.

➥ Be sensitive to wildlife, especially during mating andnesting seasons. Never feed wild animals. Feedingthem spreads disease and increases their dependenceon humans. Watch and listen to wildlife from a distance.

Etiquette

➥ Talk quietly. Respect other peoples’ desire to enjoy theserenity of the canyon by avoiding loud conversationsand other boisterous behavior.

➥ Allow others to “play through.” Canyons can be verynarrow, providing no room for faster groups to passslower groups. As a result, bottlenecks can develop,especially at rappel stations. Be considerate of others.The efficiency and safety of both groups can beimproved through cooperation.

➥ Park only in designated areas or along roadways thatare not posted. Car pool whenever it is practical.

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Permits and TrespassingCanyons exist on private land, public land and Native Americanland. Some are freely accessible. Some are accessible onlywith the required permits. Others are closed completely. Ascanyoneers we must respect the rights and responsibilities ofall land managers if we hope to insure our future access to thecanyons. When fees are required, they are usually only a fewdollars - a small price to pay for the great pleasure we derivefrom our canyoneering experiences.

Help maintain positive relationships between canyoneers,other recreators, landowners and managers by obeying theregulations that apply to users of these lands.

AnchorsMany canyons require the use of rope to descend. Using ropesusually necessitates some kind of anchor. There are two basictypes of anchors -- natural and artificial. Natural anchors areconstructed using materials found in the canyon; trees, rocksand other natural features. Artificial anchors are constructedby placing fixed hardware in the rock, typically bolts andhangers. Constructing any anchor is a serious issue; your life

LNV / ETHICS PHOTO(S)

Vandalism is vandalism, no matter who does it. The owner of this property wasmore concerned about his rights than the 2000-year-old pictograph he destroyed.Photo by Shane Burrows

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depends on its strength. Placing artificial anchors properly ismuch more difficult than simply tying a piece of webbingaround a tree. Improperly placed bolts are not only unsightly,but also very dangerous. If you place a bolt, people descendingthe canyon after you will place their lives in your hands. Forthis reason, artificial anchors should only be placed by experts.

Issues to consider as you weigh your anchor options:

1. SafetyYour single most important concern when descendingany canyon should be the safety of your group. Atleast one member of your party should be able to(a) accurately judge the safety of any anchor you mayfind, and (b) construct solid natural and artificialanchors. Risking life or serious injury by using ananchor of unknown or marginal strength, whethernatural or artificial, is foolish. Be sure to bring plentyof webbing to build your own anchors if needed, andto replace unsafe slings left by previous parties. A boltkit may also be a good item to carry, IF you know howto use it. A bolt kit should not be considered as asubstitute for good natural anchor building skills.

2. Environmental ImpactYour second concern should be for the long-termimpact on the canyon. As canyoneers, it is ourresponsibility to respect and conserve our canyonresources by supporting minimum impact practices.

You should always try to:

✔ Remain in the watercourse to minimize erosion. If youmust leave the watercourse, try to minimize yourimpact by staying as close to the watercourse aspossible and moving only on solid rock.

✔ Locate anchors used by previous parties. This can ofteneliminate the need to build additional, unnecessaryanchors.

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✔ Clean up each anchor you encounter. Remove oldwebbing and carry it out. Replace the old webbing withnew; do not add your new webbing on top of the old.This practice can quickly create an unsightly (anddifficult to inspect) “rats nest” of tattered webbing.

✔ Consider other options before building an anchor. Doyou really have to rappel? Down climbing, when withinyour ability, will eliminate the need for an anchor. Besure to consider the abilities of everyone in your group.Perhaps the best climber in your group can provide abelay for others, then downclimb solo. For short downclimbs, spotting from below may be adequate.

Just because it’s there doesn’t meanit’s solid. You are responsible for yourown safety. Inspect every anchor,natural or artificial, to make sure it issolid before you trust your life to it.

Photo by Tom Jones

✔ Combine rappels. Using a single anchor for one longrappel will eliminate the need to place additionalanchors.

✔ Use natural anchors whenever possible. All thingsbeing equal, use a natural anchor for your rappel. Learnto rig the rope so that nothing is left behind, includingwebbing.

✔ Use only natural, subdued colors if you must leavewebbing behind.

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✔ Consider the health of the vegetation used for anchors.In remote, seldom-traveled canyons, these naturalanchors only support an occasional canyoneer. Inheavily-traveled canyons, however, the repeated useof a single tree may ultimately kill it.

✔ Give extra thought to the anchors at the first and lastrappels in the canyon. Anchors in the canyon aretypically only seen by other canyoneers. Otherrecreators, such as hikers, can often see the first andlast anchors. They may not appreciate your anchormarring their otherwise pristine view.

✔ Place artificial anchors only when the alternatives areunsafe or would result in a greater environmentalimpact to the canyon. If alternatives exist, but requireskills that are beyond your ability, do not place artificialanchors. Learn the necessary skills to utilize thealternatives and return to the canyon when you arebetter prepared.

✔ Place artificial anchors correctly and securely(considering the type of rock and the watercourse), sothat subsequent users will not have to place additionalanchors. Rather than backing up a bad bolt with a goodbolt, remove the bad bolt(s) and replace it/them withgood ones. Placing reliable bolts requires trainingand practice.

✔ Do not remove artificial anchors placed by othersunless they are obviously unsafe. If you do remove anartificial anchor, do so cleanly. Fill the hole with epoxyor Bondo mixed with sand and do your best to returnthe rock to a natural appearance.

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American Canyoneering Association

The American Canyoneering Association (ACA) was foundedin 1999 in response to canyoneering’s growing popularity andthe obvious need to provide accurate and timely informationregarding safety and ethics. Membership is open to bothrecreational canyoneers and professional canyoneering guides.

The ACA provides:

• Comprehensive technical canyoneering courses.• Canyoneering Rendezvous four to six times each year.• Certification programs for canyon leaders and professional

canyoneering guides.• On-line forums for sharing ideas, information and

technical tips.• A photo gallery for sharing photos of favorite canyons.• Canyoneering gear and guidebook reviews.

Our goal is to provide information and education forcanyoneers of all experience levels. For additional information,please visit our web site at www.canyoneering.net.

Technical Canyoneering CoursesCanyoneering is not a new sport; it has been around fordecades. It has, however, enjoyed a tremendous surge inpopularity over the past few years. Unfortunately, many of thepeople who are discovering this exciting sport remain unawareof the inherent risks and the complex technical skills requiredto enjoy it safely.

The American Canyoneering Association has establisheda standard curriculum that covers the essentials of safecanyoneering. Topics include: canyon topography and ratingsystems; gear selection, care and use; knots and anchors;evaluating and rigging anchors and belay systems; proper useof tension-releasing hitches and contingency anchors; passivelowering systems; ascending; multi-pitch rappelling; swiftwater rescue; technical rope rescue; jumps and water slides;canyon navigation and route finding; and much, much more.

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Comments from Students:

“This course will easily become the standard by which anyother canyoneering course will be judged. It was amazing thatthe professional mountaineering guides found a lot to learn, butthe pace was such that a neophyte like me could also pick thingsup quickly.”

“I have been a rock climber for over a decade and didn’t reallyexpect to learn anything new. Was I ever wrong. I didn’t realizethat there were so many specialized systems employed incanyoneering. All of it makes sense. Rock climbing systems arefine for dry rock, but not at all appropriate in a canyon, especiallyif there is water present.”

“This was a great opportunity for me to get exposure to amyriad of new techniques for use in future canyoneering exploits.The experience and perspective of the instructors added anotherdimension and contributed greatly to the value of the course.”

Beginner through advanced courses are available. Basiccourses are appropriate for recreational canyoneers seekinginstruction in fundamental canyoneering skills and forprofessional guides interested in acquiring a broader base ofskills for both wet and dry canyons. Advanced courses includetopics such as canyon rescue and specialized guidingtechniques.

Special rates are available for backcountry rangers and activemembers of search and rescue teams who work in areas withtechnical canyon terrain.

For additional details and course schedule please visit our website at www.canyoneering.net.

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FREE Natural Anchor WorkshopsAnchors used in canyoneering can be single stout trees orcomplex self-equalizing rigs using multiple tie-in points. Theycan be natural or artificial, temporary or fixed. What you usewill depend on what is needed, what is naturally available andwhat is appropriate. What is appropriate is subject to localcanyoneering ethics. In many areas the problem solving skillsneeded to build an anchor (in the absence of an obvious naturalor artificial one) is considered a major part of the challenge.

Most canyoneers prefer natural anchors over fixed anchorswhen they are safe and convenient. Quite often, however,natural anchor options do exist that are safe, but the canyoneerlacks the expertise and/or confidence to build and rely on it.The purpose of this free workshop is to impart to our studentsthe skills and techniques necessary to identify and evaluatenatural anchor opportunities and how to construct single- andmulti-point systems.

Topics covered include:

• basic anchor principles• anchor tie-in methods• modeling and sequencing to maximize anchor efficiency• how to avoid shock loading and load multipliers• how to test anchors• evaluating existing anchors• using vegetation and rock features• pickets, deadmen and bollards• cross beams• wedges and jammed knots• hooks and pitons• retrievable anchor systems

During the workshop students will build and test nearly a dozendifferent anchors. The result will be a new found confidence inyour ability to construct and evaluate natural anchors and lessreliance on fixed anchors.

For additional details and workshop schedule please visit ourweb site at www.canyoneering.net.

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How to Choose a Canyoneering GuideIn the U.S. training of professional guides in most outdooradventure programs is very loosely organized. While someguide services conduct their own in-house training, few guideshave any formal training. This is especially true in emergingdisciplines like canyoneering. As a result, anyone can print upsome business cards and claim to be a guide.

Imagine yourself halfway through a canyon. Your guidedidn’t adequately evaluate the weather or the watershed. Thesky is clear overhead, but water begins to flow and it is gettingdeeper. Your guide’s rock climbing and rappelling skills haveproven adequate so far, but the rappels ahead of you are nolonger dry. You will be rappelling over high-volume waterfalls.Getting out of this dangerous situation will require expertiseand training far beyond the basics.

One of the goals of the American Canyoneering Associationis to raise the technical and professional standards ofcanyoneering guides in the United States to an internationalstandard. The ACA is this country’s only organization to offerguide training and certification programs recognized by theCommission Europeene de Canyon (CEC). While it isimpossible to eliminate all risks, choosing a guide that iscertified by the ACA ensures that the individual hasdemonstrated an acceptable level of skills that separate theprofessional guide from the recreational canyoneer. For youas a consumer, ACA certification provides a decisive tool forchoosing the right guide.

Photo by Stefan Hofmann

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ICAN CANYONEERIN

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AMERICAN CANYONEERING ASSOCIATION

www.canyoneering.net