Monday, July 28, 2008

Canyoneering Adventures Video Gallery

See cool videos of canyoneering trips including wading through narrows, finding our way through thick moss, rappelling slot canyons, and more.

Canyoneering Videos

First Water Canyon Narrows

Upper Fish Creek Canyon Moss Pool

Canyoneering Christopher Creek Canyon Video

Canyoning Sycamore Canyon to Mexican Border Video

Canyoning Agua Fria River Canyon Video

Buckskin Gulch Canyoneering Video

Cold Swim - Fish Creek Canyon

Start 25 min. swim - First Water Canyon


Sundance Canyon Video

Rappelling 180 ft Sundance Canyon

Havasu Falls Video

Photo Gallery for Canyoneering Trips

See the collection of photos for canyoneering trips including the Jug, First Water Canyon, Upper Fish Creek Canyon, and more.

Canyoneering Trip Photos

the Jug Photos

First Water Canyon Photos

Upper Fish Creek Canyon Photos

Christopher Creek Canyoning Photos

Sycamore Canyon Canyoneering Photos

Peters Canyon Canyoneering Photos

Agua Fria River Canyon Canyoneering Photos

Buckskin Gulch Photos

Sundance Canyon Photos

Bear Canyon Photos

Crawdad Canyon Photos

Havasu Falls Photos

Neon Canyon Photos

Egypt 3 Canyon Photos

Upper Fish Creek Canyon Canyoneering Photos

Moss Pool Upper Fish Creek Canyon Canyoneering

Upper Fish Creek Canyon Canyoneering Superstition Mountains

Explored the Upper Fish Creek Canyon today which winded its way through boulders, pools, and nice shade from the hot desert sun. The temperature was just over a hundred degrees though down in the canyon the temperature was great.

Upper Fish Creek Canyon refers to the upper level of the canyon from Fish Creek Bridge on the Apache Trail. The trail is a moderate intensity of boulder route finding, scrambling, some modest climbing, and pools.

Most of the pools were pretty still which makes for fun moss water wading through. Some of the pools were up to my chest though most were under knee hight. The pools were a great way to cool off and I would recommend going through this canyon on a hot Arizona day.

What made the trip is finding and jumping into a dark deep pool. A huge rock overhanging kept the sun from hitting the pool and this one was cold. After the short swim it does take a climb to get yourself out. The pool was eerie black because of lack of light.

You can make this a point A to B route for about 8.5 miles though the pools and more fun boulders are all in the first 3 miles from the bridge. We did an out and back. There is no big land mark where you have to turn around though we did after wading through a couple of pools the canyon really opened up and we decided that was the best place to turn around.

I highly enjoyed the canyon. We had a first time guy with us and the ease of the canyon made for an enjoyed first time, and it was just hard enough in spots to make it a fun challenge.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Good Solo Hiking Tent for Canyoneering

If you are like me when you go into canyons then carrying a heavy load is the last thing I am going to do. Once you start doing some day trips into canyons you are going to get the itch to go overnight at least one night any way. Extended stay canyons are one of the best ways to experience the amazing canyons of the southwest. One thing I always like is especially on overnight trips is that the experience is nothing you can do from your car.

I take the Iota tent by Sierra Designs. It is a light easy to pack solo backpacking tent that works with my minimal weight I want to carry. Though I do have a bivy sack I prefer to use a single person tent most of time. They may be more weight though I like having the head room which is worth a pound of extra gear. We are not talking 10 pounds just a pound over most typical bivy sacks. The other nice thing about the Iota tent is that it can handle being hit by a storm. I don't go into canyons during storm season, though I do take it with me on other trips. Riding out a storm in a solo tent is far more fun then riding it out in bivy sack.

I like the nice ventalation which keeps the bugs off me and lets me see the sky at night.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

ACA Canyoneering Rating System

ACA Canyon Rating System

The basic format of the ACA Canyon Rating System includes two digits. The first digit is numeric and represents the values described below related to terrain and rope work. The second digit is an alpha character representing the values described below related to water volume and current. Additional values may be added to represent relative risk and time/commitment. Ratings are cumulative. For example: descending a Class 3 canyon will require the skills listed under Class 3, as well as those listed under Classes 1 and 2.

NOTE: Ratings refer to descents in normal conditions, during what is considered the normal season for the canyon. Adverse conditions, such as higher than normal water volume or colder temperatures, will increase the difficulty of the descent.

TERRAIN / TECHNICAL ROPE WORK
1 Canyon Hiking
Non-technical; no rope required. May involve some easy scrambling requiring the occasional use of hands for balance and support. See route description for more information.
2 Basic Canyoneering
Scrambling, easy vertical or near vertical climbing and/or down-climbing requiring frequent use of hands. Rope recommended for hand lines, belays, lowering packs and possible emergency use. Exit and/or retreat possible without ascending fixed ropes. See route description for more information.
3 Intermediate Canyoneering
Exposed technical climbing. Down-climbing could be difficult and dangerous; most people will rappel instead. Rope required for belays and single-pitch rappels. Obvious natural or fixed anchors. Retreat up canyon will require ascending fixed ropes. Basic pothole escape techniques (i.e. partner assist, counter-weights) may also be required. See route description for more information.
4 Advanced Canyoneering
Route may involve any combination of the following: 1) difficult and exposed free climbing and/or down-climbing, 2) climbing using direct aid, 3) multi-pitch rappels, 4) complex rope work (i.e. guided rappels, deviations, rebelays), 5) obscure or indistinct natural anchors, 6) advanced problem-solving and anchor-building skills. See route description for more information.
WATER VOLUME / CURRENT
A Normally dry or very little water. Dry falls. Water, if present, can be avoided and/or is very shallow. Shoes may get wet, but no wetsuit or drysuit required.
B Normally has water with no current or light current. Still pools. Falls normally dry or running at a trickle. Expect to do some deep wading and/or swimming. Wetsuit or drysuit may be required depending on water and air temperatures.
C Normally has water with strong current. Waterfalls. Expect to do some deep wading and/or swimming in current. Wetsuit or drysuit may be required depending on water and air temperatures.

NOTE: Water level in any canyon can fluctuate greatly from year-to-year, season-to-season, even day-to-day. If, upon arrival at a canyon, you discover the water volume/current is greater than indicated by the rating, descent will be more difficult than suggested by the route description. It will be necessary to reevaluate your decision to attempt the descent.

RISK / SERIOUSNESS (OPTIONAL)
R Risky
One or more extraordinary risk factors exist that could complicate the descent. Solid technical skills and sound judgment critical. Not recommended for beginners.
X Extreme
Multiple risk factors exist that will complicate the descent. Errors in technique or judgment will likely result in serious injury or death. Descent should only be attempted by expert canyoneers.

NOTE: The presence of an R or an X in a rating suggests that the canyon will involve higher than average risk. The absence of an R or an X does not suggest that there will be no risk. All canyoneering involves risk.

Risk factors include number and frequency of rappels, length of rappels (single- or double-rope) and exposure, anchor availability, anchor quality, route finding, obstacles, problem-solving, terrain encountered between technical sections, flash flood potential, availability of exits and high ground, water temperature, prolonged immersion, and difficulty of evacuation or rescue. Specific factors should be addressed in the route description.

TIME / COMMITMENT (OPTIONAL)
Half Day
I Short. Normally requires only a couple of hours.
II Normally requires a half day.
Full Day
III Normally requires most of a day.
IV Expected to take one long, full day. Get an early start. Bring a head lamp. Plan for possible bivy.
Multi Day
V Expected to take an average one and a half days.
VI Expected to take two or more days.

NOTE: Time estimates are based on average group of 6 people or less. Larger groups and less experienced groups will take longer. An accurate self-assessment of your abilities will be important. For some users, it may be adequate to refer to time in terms of half day, full day or multi day. Others may prefer a more specific estimate and choose to use the Roman Numeral Grade system common in traditional multi-pitch rock climbing.