There are few things more beautiful than what nature can create with wind, water, and stone.
I've been fortunate to grow up in Southern Utah among the national parks and sandstone cliffs. I've mentioned before my ignorance of the sport of scrambling. [1] I was even more ignorant regarding the sport of canyoneering. Of course, we didn't call hiking through the Zion Narrows canyoneering either; that 1-13 hour trek is entirely different than any other hiking experience. I've never walked the narrows; however, I remember driving to the trailhead with my parents late one Saturday evening to pick up my sister Susan who had made the trek overnight with a church group. Watching the tired and sore teenagers emerge dragging packs and barely being able to walk from the deep canyon didn’t inspire me to jump right in and experience the same weariness.
The term canyoneering emerged with the advent of technical slot canyon experiences. But, of course, people have been climbing around in canyons for years. Thankfully, groups now track beta (information regarding a specific route), replace hardware, and clean up litter and graffiti on many of the most popular courses.
The sport took on a life of its own when the general public recognized the low barriers to entry of participation. Finally, canyoneering is a sport in which we weekend warriors can fully participate. Being "mildly" physically fit is required because climbing sheer cliff faces is unnecessary. A rudimentary understanding of knots, ropes, harnesses, and carabiners is also needed. Or so many believed.
I was always heartbroken to read about deaths in the backcountry canyons near where I lived, many of which were preventable. One such accident especially bothered me upon learning that a young college student fell because nobody else in the group understood the Fireman's belay. A single pull on the rope from below would have arrested her fall and saved a life.
Thankfully others recognized the problem as well and started holding clinics to learn and practice skills in a safe environment. If you plan on participating in canyoneering, I highly recommend courses to increase your safety and that of your group. With that said, canyons are unique because there is no turning back [2] once you have pulled your rope after completing the first rappel. Being prepared is a must because you'll either finish the route or have to be rescued. Few canyons offer escape routes midstream.
Many non-technical walk-through canyons exist, and I encourage everyone to explore these deep dark recesses of the earth. Whether you walk or rappel through the ravines, be prepared to experience beauty as you've never witnessed. The play of light on curves of stone is mesmerizing, and there is something even more beautiful around every corner. Of course, you'll end up dragging your pack and being so tired you can barely stand; however, unlike my younger self watching those teenagers emerge from the narrows, I now understand the sheer joy of experiencing a place where few dare tread.
Written November 8, 2022
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