The First Canyon: Canyoneering from a beginners perspective
How on earth do you get into something like Canyoneering and what is it that draws people to Slide, Swim, Hike and Rappel in one of the world's most unique and scenic places? This is one of the many questions I asked myself on the way to do my first canyon in southern Utah.
Being in a slot canyon for the first time was one of the most inspiring challenges of my life!
Two friends and I (One of which was an experienced Canyoneer and assistant guide at Zion Guru) recently set out to do my first ever canyon adventure on the outskirts of Zion National Park. There would be ropes, harnesses, helmets, plenty of other technical gear and an ample amount of excitement and laughter echoing throughout the canyon. As soon as we stepped onto the approach trail I noticed those deep reddish-orange rock structures in the distance peeking out over the treetops. It felt like I had a million questions and those rock formations held a million secrets. Before I knew it, I was looking at the first rappel of 6 for the day and the start of the canyon. Rappelling is something I have previous experience with and came naturally in this environment with a little coaching from my experienced friend. Once I lowered myself in, a pause came over me. I was surrounded by towering 70-100 foot orange Sandstone walls that wove through the canyon. At that moment I was in complete reverence towards what it took to make such a place; millions of years of water and wind erosion.
(On Rappel! Our friend DCC stoked to head down the 3rd Rappel of the day)
“The Canyon surrounds you, an awe-inspiring quandary that is truly indescribable. With no way to assimilate its wonder, you are left with the ultimate purpose. Keep heading down.”
Risk, Reward and how to make great decisions on your journey into the canyon:
Being in this place was a mixture of wonder, adrenaline, excitement, and learning. We would explore, share some laughs, challenge ourselves and work together as a team to figure out efficient ways to navigate obstacles such as stemming over pools to avoid wet feet, all while staying as safe as possible. While the 50 ft rappel was an incredible experience, my favorite part of Canyoneering was sliding down 5-10 ft drops in the canyon known as downclimbs. One of our less experienced friends quickly found he was a natural at it. Creating friction with your feet on a sandstone downclimb can definitely be considered an art! It was an absolute BLAST!
(On Belay! Learning how to apply safety measures while Abseiling in the canyon)
Our team would pause at rappels and assess risk, seeking advice from our friend who safely guides canyoneering trips regularly. This was a very important part of our trip, being with an experienced person so that we could make good decisions. If you do not have experience canyoneering, do not try this on your own! I have spent years in the outdoors and am comfortable with many challenging adventures. It was essential to have an experienced Canyoneer in our party.
Canyoneering requires technical skill and experience in canyons! My advice for those who don't have a highly experienced member of their party:
Contact Zion Guru and seek out a personalized Canyoneering course. (The goal in this Canyoneering course is to teach you the skills you need to safely achieve Canyoneering objectives without a guide)
Let this investment set you up with a wealth of skills, techniques and knowledge that you can then apply to your own canyon adventures.
Utilize Zion Guru as a resource for your future trip planning and gear needs as a graduate of our Canyoneering course (You have a friend in Zion!)
Conclusion:
My experience as a beginner with Canyoneering was deeply inspiring and something that I will hold with me for years to come. Awe, challenge, camaraderie and pure bliss. These are the words I would choose to describe my experience with a southern Utah slot canyon. Taking in this natural wonder, making great choices by connecting with a competent guide and moving as the water does. When you find yourself wondering how you ended up standing on the floor of a canyon, smile, take it all in and keep heading down!
