Canyoning
Note: You MUST be a fully paid club member to participate in any abseil activities which appear on the club program.
This page contains information about recommended gear you should take and the hazards you might encounter when canyoning. The club complies with the Blue Mountains VOLUNTARY code of conduct and encourages new members to understand and practice it.
Canyons can be either wet (involving swims) or dry, abseil or non-abseil. When canyoning you usually carry the same gear as you would for a normal day walk. The list of equipment which follows is therefore only a rough guide. Check with the activity leader for more precise details of what to take for the particular canyon you will be doing.
Clothing to wear & carry
Gear to take
Communal
There should be at least one of each of the following carried on every canyon trip:
Appropriate gear from the above lists, plus…..
Canyon Hazards
Canyons are usually in remote areas and require some climbing to enter and exit them. It is therefore important that each canyoner is aware of potential hazards and takes appropriate action to minimise potential risks.
Some hazards to be aware of are:
Note: You MUST be a fully paid club member to participate in any abseil activities which appear on the club program.
This page contains information about recommended gear you should take and the hazards you might encounter when canyoning. The club complies with the Blue Mountains VOLUNTARY code of conduct and encourages new members to understand and practice it.
Canyons can be either wet (involving swims) or dry, abseil or non-abseil. When canyoning you usually carry the same gear as you would for a normal day walk. The list of equipment which follows is therefore only a rough guide. Check with the activity leader for more precise details of what to take for the particular canyon you will be doing.
Clothing to wear & carry
- Old clothing is best. Canyoning can ruin clothes, due to the scrub on the walk in to many canyons and being rubbed on rock as you climb in the canyon.
- In wet canyons make sure that your shorts are big enough to fit over your wetsuit. It is much cheaper to replace a ripped pair of shorts than it is to replace a ripped wetsuit.
- Footwear with flexible soles and good grip
- Thermal or woollen socks. Many people also like to wear a pair of thin socks next to the skin to help keep sand out.
- A beanie or balaclava
- All canyoners must carry a spare set of thermals in a waterproof bag.
- A wetsuit for wet canyons. As a rule you will need one with long sleeves. If you use a short-sleeved spring suit you will probably need an extra long sleeved thermal top to wear under it.
Gear to take
Communal
There should be at least one of each of the following carried on every canyon trip:
- A well stocked First Aid Kit
- Stove, fuel and matches
- Appropriate map for the area and compass
- Wetsuit
- Waterproofed pack. Use with a dry bag (canyon bag), or 3 thick garbage bin liners, each of which is tied closed with a knot
- Extra flotation (e.g. an empty wine cask bladder) which can be inflated if you get cold or tired when swimming
- A lilo if there are long swims or you are not a strong swimmer. Check with your activity leader to see if one is needed
- Space blanket
Appropriate gear from the above lists, plus…..
- Harness and attached descending device. Make sure you find out what sort of rope your activity leader intends using so you can bring a descender that will provide the right amount of friction
- Prusik loops
- Spare carabiners
- Helmet and gloves
- Party to carry appropriate mix of ropes and tapes (also pulleys and spare equipment at the activity leader's discretion in case of emergencies).
Canyon Hazards
Canyons are usually in remote areas and require some climbing to enter and exit them. It is therefore important that each canyoner is aware of potential hazards and takes appropriate action to minimise potential risks.
Some hazards to be aware of are:
- You need to be fit to walk into a canyon, climb, walk, swim and abseil through it, and then climb and walk up a steep hill to get out.
- You need some climbing skills or ability, as most canyons involve some free (unbelayed) climbing
- Canyons involve wading through pools of water which may contain submerged rocks and logs. You may end up quite sore and bruised, particularly on the shins
- The water in canyons is very cold, and hypothermia is a real risk. For this reason you need to keep moving through the canyon as quickly as possible while keeping the group together. As soon as you find yourself getting cold let others know. Do not spend any more time in the water than is strictly necessary
- Canyons are usually very slippery. Appropriate footwear, e.g. Volleys is vital, as is being very careful at all times
- You need to be able to swim to do a wet canyon. Be honest with the activity leader when booking for a trip. If there are only a few short swims it may still be possible for you to do the canyon with the aid of some floatation. In other canyons a lack of swimming ability may be potentially life threatening.