Canyoneering101.com
What is Canyoneering?
Section 1
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Back in the late 1990s, the sport of Canyoneering was relatively unknown to the world. Many people considered it to be nothing more than "hiking but with ropes." However, Canyoneering is much more than that! It involves exploring canyons, specifically slot-canyons, and discovering the hidden secrets beneath the desert floor or alpine forest.
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From my perspective, if you've ever been to Zion National Park, you may have walked the Zion Overlook Trail or hiked the famous Angels Landing trail. Have you ever wondered what lies inside the slot canyons located in the park? Or have you been intrigued by a narrow section of the trail that you couldn't proceed further due to a cliff? As someone who has had these thoughts, I can tell you that Canyoneering is the adventure sport you've been searching for!
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Canyoneering allows you to fully explore the canyons by equipping yourself with the necessary gear, knowledge of tying specific knots, and rappelling and ascending ropes. Instead of just wondering what lies beyond a canyon drop-off, you can now descend the canyon and see the mysteries it contains for yourself. This newfound obsession is both thrilling and awe-inspiring.
Image Credit: Brett Johnson (C)
What if I told you that there is a trail that you can do in the blazing hot summer of Zion N.P., where the temperatures are 100+ degrees Fahrenheit, but deep inside this specific slot-canyon there is a year-round stream that collects from springs and seeps and creates these fresh-water pools that allows you to jump into and swim and and be in awe-struck of the juxtaposition (and stark contrast) of the desert with this incredible watery oasis!?
Image Credit: Brett Johnson (C)
Image Credit: Brett Johnson (C)
These pictures are from the famous "Subway" hike found in Zion National Park, Utah. The hike has been known for many decades, but due to the nature of social media, this hike is the most sought after trail outside of the Angels Landing hike within the Park!
In fact, in order to preserve the pristine look and back country feel, the National Park has implemented a lottery-permit system in order to do this 10-mile adventure.
Currently, only 50 people are allowed to do it per day and those permits are taken from the aforementioned lottery system which is drawn 3 months in advance.
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If you are a lucky one that "draws out" for a permit for the Subway, then your life will forever change as you complete the 10-mile journey, as it did mine. And consider yourself very fortunate!
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In fact, that adventure I took back in my scouting days back in the summer of 2000, forever opened my eyes to the fascination and obsession with Canyoneering. I want to explore, preserve and protect these beautiful creations!
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The purpose of this website is to arm you with enough knowledge so that you will desire professional guidance and instruction from local Canyoneering outfitters. This website doesn't replace, professional instruction, nor does it leave you in the dark, however.
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We use our own lingo, have our secret handshakes for canyons that are not published, share our "trip reports" on online forums so that others can live vicariously through them; along with learning from our mishaps, or accidents (and even deaths!).
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Canyoneering is inherently risky, as once you pull the ropes on your first rappel - you are committed to going through all the way to the end! There is no escape out of these canyons if you get scared or intimidated.
That's why it is VITAL for YOU and everyone in your group to be self-sufficient. It is NOT enough for ONE person to know how to tie all the knots or defeat obstacles. EVERYONE in you group must know these too.