Explore every episode of the podcast Canyon Tech

Sometimes lesser taught ideas and techniques are helpful in special situations and/or to advance your problem solving skills. Hear a list of random, crazy ideas that work well enough to consider.

There are some practices people do in a canyon that make others cringe. Some are confusing, some are unwise, and some are simply unsafe.

Calling Search and Rescue is never an easy decision or a good event. However, there are ways for you and your canyon team to avoid getting into trouble and/or help out the SAR team coming to your aid.

We've done and seen plenty of "not so smart" things in canyons. Learn from our mistakes so you don't make the same ones!

Even better, take a class or two from Kristin at Altura Adventures: https://www.altura-adventures.com/

When a rappeler is stuck or injured they may have to be lowered. Rigging releasable provides quick and easy rescue options to the team.

Also, the world's first canyoneering rap song! (Lyrics below.)

---------------------------------------------

The canyon’s callin’; Rodcle’s haulin’; Don’t forget the rope; Or you'll be free-fallin’

Bike helmet’s packed; the Hoka’s strapped; Cuz da’ noob is greener than a Benjamin stack.

Vocal Ninjas, flossin’ topo; Grindin’ peaks, like a hippo; Shoulda rode a horseback; Thai-ger, give my biner back

Packin’ the ATC; Friction free; Falling faster than Death Valley scree.

The anchor’s bomber; Don't call for mama; Smoother on the line than Barack Obama

Vocal Ninjas, with the swagbags; Moonwalkin, on a rock crag; Squeezin, in a slot crack; Thai-ger, give my biner back!

Da’ Feet are ready; Brake hand is steady; I'm about to rap; Get the confetti ready.

The VT’s wrapped; Crowd’s ready to clap; Gotta get moving; Cuz I need my nap.

Vocal Ninjas, with the jet lag; Dropping bombs, like a rope bag; I'm a pro rapper, give me some slack; Thai-ger, give my biner back!

Yeah, no time for delay; Callin’ for a belay; Movin’ slow on the line; Like seniors at a buffet

Time to call SAR; It’s (0.4) point four to the car; But my water’s warm; And da’ phone’s got one bar

Vocal Ninjas, biner airtags; Making fun of, climber dirtbags; Quick, on the comeback; Thai-ger give my biner back!

Yeah; Give my biner back.  

Uh, Yeah; My iPhone says it's at your house dogg.

Dang; Calling SAR again.

Just want my biner back...

Canyoneering is a team sport where everyone performs one or more roles in the canyon to help the team succeed. Discussed in this episode are the defined roles like Team Leader and the lesser roles and tasks that anyone and everyone on the team should perform along the way to better ensure a safe and enjoyable canyon experience.

Understanding force in canyoneering is key to creating safe systems that minimize forces on the anchors, your equipment, and ultimately...your body in the event of a fall.

We discuss three advanced techniques when on rope. Self Rescue; Passing the Knot; and Ascending. Each has their own techniques and safety considerations.

Things don't always go as planned. You forget gear. You drop gear. No problem...hear about other options for descending or ascending a rope when you have limited gear. Also learn how to get your rope back when you're out of pull cord and how to backup rappels safely.

Hear the reasons and methods to develop your skills to lead a rescue or at least be a contributing member of the rescue team!

https://wildskyguides.com/peak-rescue-csar-course-2024/https://elevatedsafety.com/events/swiftwater-canyoning-rescue-operations-8-12-2024-washington/https://wildskyguides.com/pnw-canyoneering-courses/swiftwater-rescue-course/

When you don't rig for problems and don't have good communications, problems multiply! Hear a first-hand account of getting stuck on rappel in a cold water flow at Stewart Falls in Utah. Hypothermia, heroics, and a Search and Rescue call ensues. Lessons learned all around!

Desert canyons tend to have substantial differences than wet, flowing canyons. Discussed are the natural anchors most used in the desert along with techniques needed to safely navigate the (usually) dry canyons of the Southwest.

Injuries are complicated in the backcountry because emergency services will take substantial time to arrive. Hear about common injuries while canyoneering, how to address them, and when to call for Search and Rescue.

Flowing wet canyons pose different challenges than typical dry or pothole desert canyons. Hear the differences in rigging, communication, and other techniques for navigating the flowing water-filled canyons of the Pacific Northwest.

Sometimes you don't know what you don't know. Discussed are the things we do now - that we're more experienced - that we didn't do when new to canyoneering.

By popular demand...all our commercials in one place. Plus we ruin the jokes by explaining them.

Stuck rope? Injuries? Backing out of a canyon? There are times instead of going down, canyoneers need to go up! Hear about different methods for ascending and other safety and efficiency considerations to help out your teammates.

Canyoneers need to be self-sufficient in the backcountry. Learn about the equipment you and your group need to carry to be ready to safely navigate the canyon as well as respond to adverse events and rescue needs.

For convenience and safety there is various equipment a canyoneer will want readily available on their harness. Hear recommendations about what listeners should purchase and keep on their harness versus have in their bag or leave at home.

There are varied opinions about how to balance safety and convenience in a canyon with Leave No Trace principles.  Listen to a discussion about ethical considerations and related techniques to allow everyone to enjoy the canyons as close to their natural state as feasible.

Taking kids into a canyon can be dangerous, but careful practice and planning can maximize safety. Hear recommendations for how to practice prior to any canyon trip.  Also, hear about techniques used to keep kids safe once you're in the canyon.

When things go horribly wrong and basic rescue techniques aren't going to solve the problem, it's time to shine using advanced techniques.  In this episode learn about techniques and considerations for a full raise, double-rope rappel issues, pickoff rescues, and rescuing from above or below using the victims rope.

When things go wrong in a canyon, ideally you can help your fellow canyoneers besides just calling Search and Rescue.  Learn about what risks to watch for in the canyon and what to do when someone on your team gets stuck or hurt.  

Now that you have all the right equipment and a wonderful team of people, it's time to make your way through a canyon.  Learn about the considerations as you evaluate anchors, get on rappel, manage ropes, and efficiently and safely move through a canyon.

Whether you're leading a canyon or want to be an informed member of the team, it's important to understand what goes into planning a successful (and safe) trip.  Team size and composition, approach and exit, the number of rappels, anchor types, canyon characteristics, and the weather will all determine how long the canyon will take and what to bring.  

Safety in a canyon starts with trustworthy anchors. Learn about solid, equalized, redundant, efficient, no-extension anchor building and inspection techniques!  Also gain an understanding of the types of anchors commonly found in canyons, how to inspect them, and what to watch out for.  

Knots, bends, and hitches are critical for canyoneering setup, safety, and rescue.  Hear about the must-learn knots, bends, and hitches that allow you setup a rappel and/or confirm your canyoneering colleagues have tied things correctly and safely!

Advanced equipment requires advanced skills: Self rescue; Rescue raise and lowering systems; Ascending.  Also equipment to stay safe in the canyons.

Become a real canyoneer by getting your first rope, a rope bag, and a rugged canyoneering pack to hold it all!

Learn about essential canyoneering equipment you need to tackle your first canyon.  Hear about different equipment options and tradeoffs for using what you already own, or buying new.