Canyoneering Adventure Blog

Egypt 3 Canyoneering Photos Utah Grand Staircase

2010-06-02T07:31:00.000-07:00

Egypt 3 Canyon - Canyoneering Escalante, Utah

2010-06-02T06:43:00.000-07:00

Egypt 3 is part of a series of Egypt canyons in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. One amazing feature of Egypt 3 is that if you are over 200 pounds you are not recommended to go down this canyon. The extreme narrows was something I had to see. The canyon report said there were stretches that would be only 8 inches apart.

The hike to Egypt 3 canyon was a short half mile from camp which led you to believe the total hiking time would be short. I have found no hiking time is short as it relates to canyoneering. Find the canyon was pretty easy though it is important to not accidentally drop into Egypt 2 or Egypt 4 as they require big ropes for long rappels. On a side note we did find the drop in point for Egypt 2 which is a sheer fall of some 260 ft. We found the walk in point for Egypt 3 though we decided to rap in anyway. The one person who did hike down had to be helped by bringing a rope to him as the last 15 ft are sketchy with a good 30 ft slide down if you slip.

Egypt 3 canyon consists of a series of scrambling around pot holes and extremely tight slot canyon walls. We did a lot of stemming including times when we were completely stretched with both hands on one wall and both feet on the other to reach.

It really is hard to describe how tight many sections of Egypt 3 is. When reports say don't be over 200 lbs they mean it. I am fairly skinny and at times had both by chest and back pressed up against the canyon walls.

There are two sections that are extremely tight. Most of the entire canyon is tight though two stretches take the cake. The first tight slot section you are about 15 ft off the ground completely stemming with your back and chest pressed against the rock. You don't want to drop anything as you will not be able to get down to the floor. I was wondering what would happen if I slipped though I realized that if I slipped I don't think I could fall any where it was so tight. One of our team that was carrying some of the ropes had to push with everything he had to get his pack through the crack. The second ultra tight section you are on the canyon floor which makes it easier though it was even tighter and I had to suck it in just to get through.

The temp was in the 80s and I was looking forward to getting wet to cool off. The water doesn't really come in till the end as you can climb around or stem passed the earlier pools. There is a long rappel close to the end that you need a 200 ft rope for. You would think that means a big drop off though you would be wrong. You tie off at a arch and then take the rope with you through a big pot hole where is the first legitimate place you will get wet. On the other side of the pot hole is a 30 ft drop which you rappel down. The whole distance is probably 150 ft of so though the rappel is pretty short.

If you thought you were done you would be mistaken as Egypt 3 winds through even more tight spaces and then finishes with a good 200 ft of more of wading through freezing cold water up to your waist at points and so tight I had to lift my backpack above my head. Two members which had bigger packs struggled through this area and had to submerge their packs to get them through.

Egypt 3 is an extremely fun canyon with many climbing and scrambling puzzles in the tightest slot canyon I have been down. I highly recommend bringing the smallest backpack possible though remember you do need ropes and the rest of your rappelling gear.

Neon Canyon Canyoneeing Photos Escalante Utah

2010-06-01T21:01:00.000-07:00

Neon Canyon - Canyoneering Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

2010-06-01T12:23:00.001-07:00

This Memorial Day I found myself canyoneering in Utah in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. Neon Canyon to be precise on Saturday. Neon Canyon is a technical canyon famous for the cathedral which is a big hole in the rock that you finishes the canyon. With temps in the 80s and not a cloud in the sky you could ask for better weather.

The entrance to Neon Canyon is a 3.5 mile jaunt which we turned into a 5 mile plus route finding mission. In the sideshow you can see the nice photo of everyone hovering over the map. With most canyons getting there is just as much adventure as the canyon itself. The entrance to Neon Canyon is actually the finish point so you get to climb up the sides to look for a way to drop in. After about two miles or so there is plenty of drop in points if you have a 200 ft rope and pull cord which we didn't as the canyon info said we needed only 100 ft ropes. Eventually we found a crack to down climb though we did tie into ropes for safety. The down climb is easy though and could be performed by most people.

Once in the canyon you find tight slots and plenty of water to wade through and swim. Even in the 85 degree day you still need wetsuits as the water is cold. We all had 7 mm suits though I think 3 mm would have been fine. Everyone in this group was from Phoenix and sometimes we need the extra warmth protection.

Neon Canyon has plenty of down climbs to figure out and yes you will get wet. There is plenty of wading through water and a few swims. There is one really good swim of at least 200 ft or more at one point. For those of you who like to jump into a pool of freezing water, Neon Canyon delivers that too.

Only enter Neon Canyon with three or more people as there is one legitimate keeper pothole with requires some skill. I got to tread water for a while in the freezing water as we attempted a buddy climb to get out.

Neon Canyon finishes with the cathedral which is an amazing hole in the rock formation which you rappel through. Underneath the cathedral is assessable by hikers so there were plenty of day hikers from their campsites taking in the scene as these strange guys in wetsuits drop out of the big hole. It is quite the sight looking down through the hole seeing the completely still pool.

Neon Canyon is fun for anyone who wants to play in freezing water and find there way through a slot canyon. The rap at the cathedral makes the route though the entire canyon has plenty of fun spots.

Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, & Colorado River Adventure Trip Photos

2009-10-05T16:36:00.000-07:00

Hiking Havasupai to Havasu Falls and Mooney Falls plus hiked to the Colorado River Video

2009-10-05T13:04:00.000-07:00

Hiking Havasupai - Havasu Falls - Mooney Falls - Hike to Colorado River

2009-10-05T12:23:00.000-07:00

Just spent the last three days in the Havasupai Indian Reservation exploring one of the most beautiful places in the world. I highly recommend that you add Havasupai to one of the places that you must see in your lifetime. Havasupai, outside the Grand Canyon, is famous for Havasu Falls and Mooney Falls which have been on the cover of every nature magazine known to man.

Anyone can do this adventure at different levels as there are mules to carry you and your gear from the parking lot hilltop all the way to Supai Village. For those that want to get some hiking in it is 8 miles from the parking lot to reach the Supai Village and another 2 down to the campsites.

For an added treat we did the hike into the canyon in the dark. We have an unbelievably bright full moon the hike under. The trip down to the Supai Village and campground is pretty easy so hiking in the dark wasn't a problem. I had my headlamp off for half the 10 mile hike and just used the moon light to guide my way. It was almost like daytime when the moon was directly overhead.

We passed the famous Havasu Falls which is photographed all the time for major publications in the dark so it wouldn't be until later that we would get a good look at it.

Up and ready to go the next morning, we were off to Mooney Falls and then to the Colorado River. Mooney Falls is breathe taking. I have heard it is any where from 200 ft high to 300 ft high, though needless to say it is big. The falls plunge into turquoise colored pools which you can swim and play around in. Limestone bleeding into the water makes give the whole place this crystal clear turquoise water that doesn't even look real.

To get to the bottom of the falls you take a chain linked fence which has a couple exposed areas near the bottom. You do have to be careful though I saw people of all fitness levels making it so with care you can make it down.

The Colorado River is 5 to 8 miles (no one really new the exact distance) of hiking, scrambling, and wading through Havasu Canyon. If you follow the canyon there are more cool waterfalls some bigger than others and many places to jump into the refreshing water.

With every mile the traffic gets thinner and thinner as most people can't make it all the way to the Colorado River and back in a reasonable amount of time. If you can make the trip is worth it. Besides the amazing waterfalls and the fun jumping off rope swings and boulders, the site of where Havasu Canyon's turquoise water mixes with the brown Colorado River is a site. Right before the Colorado River the canyon becomes a cathedral, which you scramble over and you see the two rivers converge and the Havasu Rapids of the Colorado River.

The Colorado River trip is an out and back so make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to get back in the day light as you don't want to be climbing back up Mooney Falls in the dark, to get back to your campsite.

The other great attraction is Havasu Falls which we spent time checking out on our hike out of the canyon. Havasu Falls is another big waterfall which is definitely worth the time in advance it takes to get reservations to get into Havasupai Indian Reservation.

The only problem with the hike out is that as everything was downhill on the way in, everything is uphill on the way out. You have 10 miles of uphill hiking with the last mile being the toughest as it is switchbacks straight up to the parking lot. For added pleasure for us was a 30 mile per hour or greater wind that picked up as we reached the switched back which at one point almost blew me so hard that I started to tumble down the path. Luckily, I was able to re-balance though I did stumble a good five heart pounding feet before regaining my balance.

One tip I have is take extra precaution to not lock your keys in the trunk of your car, which we found out the hard way. There no cell reception and no radio at the parking lot. You are in the middle of nowhere. I also don't recommend AAA and would cancel my service immediately if you have them as they were called by no more than 5 people including one of our parties husbands and they never came. AAA was ok with just leaving us in the middle of nowhere standed with our keys in the trunk. I want to give a special thanks to the firefighters from Pine/ Strawberry who were amazing and were able to get into our car. Without there help I know I wouldn't be home yet and able to write this post. Thank You Very Much.

Canyoning Crawdad Canyon Photos

2009-06-08T21:24:00.000-07:00

Crawdad Canyon - Canyoneering Outside Phoenix Arizona

2009-06-07T21:30:00.000-07:00

Crawdad Canyon is my latest canyoneering trip that I found myself scrambling and swimming my way through. Crawdad Canyon is not the official name this canyon goes by though the group I go with switched the name to Crawdad to keep people away from the canyon that my trash it. It is disappointing to see the lack of respect some people have for beautiful places.

Crawdad Canyon starts slow with a dry drainage or entrance canyon until we run into a nicely flowing stream. I was pleasantly surprised with this canyon as I expect most scrambling with a few places where we would wade. Instead we spent the entire time in the water. There were numerous pools that required swimming and we spent the entire trip in a good flow of water. The flow also kept the water clean which was a nice change from the stagnant water you can find in some canyons.

Crawdad Canyon is not a technical canyon though it is well worth the effort. There are plenty of challenges throughout the canyon at a moderate level. There is nothing of exceptional technical ability though you will have your fair share of endurance as the canyon took close to 7 hours to get to our shuttle car.

Our groups given name of Crawdad Canyon is because of the thousands of crawdads and tadpoles that you find in the water. The whole canyon was streaming with wildlife from fish, snakes, butterflies, and even a havalina that we scarred up. I missed the wild pig as it was behind me which sucked.

If you want to find out where this canyon is you will have to email me using the contact form on the right hand nav and if you are lucky I will tell you. What I will say is that this canyon was a lot of fun and a great canyon to do on a hot day.

Canyoneering Trip Sundance Canyon & Bear Canyon Same Day

2009-05-06T16:10:00.000-07:00

If you want a complete day of canyoneering you can take on Sundance Canyon and Bear Canyon in the same day. Both canyons are outside Camp Verde, AZ. The unique aspect of these two canyons is that they are right next to each other.

When you finally get to your place to park, you have Sundance Canyon on your right and Bear Canyon on your left. Both of the canyons end up in West Clear Creek Canyon, and you follow the same up hill path back to the truck for both.

You do need to start early. You have to give yourself at least 4 hours each to get through the canyons. That is 8 hours total of just canyoning time. If you group moves slower than you need to keep that in mind.

Both canyons are technical canyons that require rappelling and wetsuits. Sundance Canyon finishes a dramatic 180 ft rappel that will get your heart pumping. Bear Canyon starts slow, though it finishes with a great narrows section that is tons of fun. Bear Canyon is a little deeper and colder than Sundance Canyon so your hands will feel great.

If you want a full day of canyoneering I highly recommend Sundance and Bear Canyon.

Canyoneering Gear for Getting Out of Keeper Pot Holes

2009-05-05T16:38:00.000-07:00

Keeper pot hole, probably the most deadly part of canyoneering. Unprepared canyoneers can find themselves stuck in pot holes with no exit with out specific skills and gear.

Pot Shot by Imlay Canyon Gear is a sturdy and light weight pack that you can fill with sand, water, or rocks to throw over the edge of the keeper pot hole.

Imlay Canyon Gear make gear designed specifically for canyoneers by canyoneers. Imlay Canyon Gear is named after Imlay Canyon in Zion National Park which is one of the msot technical and dangerous canyons in the United States. Imlay Canyon has deadly keeper pot holes without the right gear so you know the people who know what it takes to get out of Imlay Canyon know how to design gear that can get you out of the keeper pot holes you find yourself in.

Canyoning Bear Canyon Photos - Rappel & Swimming Canyon Slot Narrows

2009-05-04T22:58:00.000-07:00

Canyoneering Bear Canyon - Keeper Pot Holes & Rappelling into Ice Cold Pools

2009-05-04T22:30:00.000-07:00

Bear Canyon is right next to Sundance Canyon. You actually park in the same spot and find your way back to the truck using the same route for each canyon. After getting done with Sundance Canyon by just after noon we decided to take advantage and head down Bear Canyon.

The trick to getting into Bear Canyon is that there is a short gully in the way. Many people think they are in Bear Canyon only for it to end with no where to go. You have make your way through gully and over the next ridge to get into Bear Canyon.

Bear Canyon starts with a canyon hike through fallen trees and boulders. After just rappelling 180 feet out of Sundance Canyon we started to wonder if Bear Canyon had anything to offer. Then you hit Bear Canyon's narrows.

Bear Canyon has a cool section of narrows which require multiple rappels and swims through even colder pools than Sundance Canyon. An excellent section of pot holes leads you into the depths withoug obvious places to set anchors. After a keeper pot hole there is a bolt placed in the wall for the largest rappell of 40 feet.

The pools in Bear Canyon are colder than Sundance Canyon just next door. The slot canyon walls are higher and lack even more sunlight. This is also obvious with the presence of snow and ice we found deep in the canyon. I highly recommend wetsuits as you make your way through the narrows.

The narrows of Bear Canyon make it a fun canyon well worth the trip.

180 ft Rappelling Sundance Canyon - On Rappel Video

2009-05-04T22:13:00.000-07:00

Sundance Canyon Canyoneering Photos - Narrows, Pot Holes, & Rappelling

2009-05-04T08:38:00.001-07:00

Sundance Canyon - Canyoning Arizona Slot Canyon

2009-05-03T13:20:00.000-07:00

Sundance Canyon is a neat slot canyon outside Camp Verde, Arizona in the Coconino National Forest. Sundance Canyon is know for its 180 foot rappel at the end, which is the best climax to a canyon that I have done.

Entering Sundance Canyon is a steep hike down into the canyon where we found cow bones. The cows were not able to find a way out though we were hoping to be luckier.

Sundance Canyon has an interesting narrows section that has consistent scrambling, down climbing, swimming through pools, and rappelling. There are 4-5 short rappels into freezing cold pools. Wetsuits are required in all of the conditions.

One the best treats in the canyon was a short jump into a freezing cold pool. If you were awake yet you were now. There is nothing like completely under water that is ice cold to get the senses moving.

The highlight of Sundance Canyon is the 180 ft drop into West Clear Creek Canyon. What makes the drop even more impressive is the keeper pot hole you have to maneuver just to get to the edge. It is amazing to be in a narrow slot canyon and freezing cold pools of water with a 180ft drop just over the other side.

The final 180 ft rappel is awesome. The final 130 ft are a free hang where the ground just looks so far away. I don't recommend this rappel for anyone who has a heart condition as I promise your heart will be beating a little faster as you drop into the gorge.

To get back to the truck is a short hike in West Clear Creek Canyon which is a 25 mile canyon hike that I would like to do as some point.

Canyoneering Sundance Canyon - Rappelling Swimming - Cold Pools - 180ft Rappel

2009-05-02T22:31:00.000-07:00

Start 25 min. Canyon Swim - First Water Canyon

2009-04-25T21:15:00.000-07:00

Swimming Freezing Pool - Fish Creek Canyon

2009-04-25T20:09:00.000-07:00

Goldmine Mountain - San Tan Mountains

2009-04-25T18:29:00.000-07:00

Got out of the house for a little workout today in the San Tan Mountains. Started on the Goldmine trail as I made my way up to the top of Goldmine Mountains. High winds while I hiked which helped with the heat.

Starting with the Goldmine trail is a great place to get a workout as you get steep hills to build hiking strength. On the other side of Goldmine Mountain is a series of trails over many more hills.

As the San Tan Mountains are as far south east as you can get and still be part of the Phoenix metro area. These trails have people on them everyday though they don't get any where close to the amount of traffic you find at Piestewa Peak or South Mountain.

Piestewa/Squaw Peak Circumference Trail

2009-04-23T20:51:00.000-07:00

I joined a local hiking group. Well before I could officially be a member I had to do a test hike with one of the group coordinators. The goal of the group was to have fit hikers and canyoneers, and I had to be approved. It was an interesting drive to the hike knowing I had never had to be approved to hike before, though I don't need approval to hike just to hike with the group.

To keep the little or no expense to an end I did make the cut. Basically if you can keep up with the group then you are in. If you couldn't hike with the group then I don't think it would be much fun to go with them anyway. I am excited to find a group of people who are fit and like to go canyoneering.

Our hike was the Piestewa/Squaw Peak Circumference Trail which was a 4.5 mile hike in and around Piestewa Peak which used to be called Squaw Peak. Piestewa Peak is in the heart of Phoenix which makes it a popular hike for tons of people. The trail we took is a longer trail than the summitt hike and we had most of the trail to ourselves. The great part of this hike is that most of it was in a shade, which was a great supprise since it was 90 degrees while we were hiking.

I look forward to joining the group on one of their next canyoneering trips.

Canyoneering Backpacking Buckskin Gulch Paria River Longest Slot Canyon

2009-04-13T18:57:00.001-07:00

Buckskin Gulch Canyon Photos

2009-04-07T21:57:00.000-07:00

Buckskin Gulch - Paria River Canyoneering Backpacking

2009-04-06T21:16:00.001-07:00

I just spent the last weekend swishing and splashing my way through Buckskin Gulch. Buckskin Gulch is the longest slot canyon in the United States outside Page, Arizona. Buckskin Gulch is part of the Paria Canyon/Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Area which is gives new meeting to middle of no where. I have two thoughts before I describe our trip; Buckskin Gulch is absolutely amazing and a must see, and at the same time is a true test of true endurance.

Our trip is to take Wire Pass trail to Buckskin Gulch, and then exit through the Paria River the following day. The total trip is 21 miles.

Our trip started Friday in a wind storm. The wind had gusts up to 50 miles an hour from Phoenix all the way to where we were heading outside Page. It is something driving for 6 hrs on your way for a weekend trip with horizontal rain and snow blowing and pushing your truck off the road. The wind was blowing so hard it broke our windshield wiper, which was fun to fix in the pleasant weather. We made the guy wearing his shell jacket in the truck go outside. He was the only guy wearing a jacket.

We did make it just in time for the all you could eat the Paria Outpost, which was a good thing since I didn't see a single thing open in Page when we drove by. Paria Outpost is quarter of a mile from the White House campground where we camped and we used them as a shuttle.

Saturday morning we take our shuttle to the Wire Pass trail head which is shorter route to getting into Buckskin then starting at the Buckskin trail head. I always go into canyons in nice weather as getting wet when you are cold is no fun, so this was some start at 40 degrees and wind blowing as we leave for the trail.

Wire Pass is a short hike to reach the entrace to Buckskin Gulch. Wire Pass in itself has some cool narrow slots of its own which make for a good start to the day. Where Wire Pass and Buckskin Gulch meet gives me visions of entering a Indiana Jones movie. A couple hundred foot sheer walls welcome you into their depths.

Bucksin Gulch consists of mile after mile of narrow slots and lots of getting your feet wet in muddy and cold pools. The best piece of gear you can own is a pair of neoprene socks. They help out a ton. Most canyons have short sections of narrows. Buckskin has miles of them.

You do get a break every once and awhile and get pieces of sun with huge openings with walls towering over your head. You will spend most of your day and what can best be described as a dungeon deep in the canyon and with limited light. It may be noon though Buckskin doesn't care how much light you think should be there.

There is no way to describe the experience of being deep in a canyon with mile after mile of narrow slots that get just a couple feet wide. It is something you have to experience for yourself.

What I will say is that fitness does help. It tooks 9.5 hrs to get from the start to our campsite. You may think you can do it fast though a backpacking group did it 1 hour faster and they didn't stop to take the video you did. So if you are a consistent backpacker than plan on 8.5 hrs if you don't stop much. Either way you have to be prepared to spend a long time hiking, scrambling, wading, and more. One thing to keep in mind also it is easier to make good time on a groomed trail then it is in sand, mud, more mud, water, rocks, and boulders. They take a little longer and little more toll on your body. Just ask one of the people in our group who lets say gained new understanding on his personal ability to keep going. One more note on time because this is an overnight your pack is full of extra gear like tent, sleeping bag, food, and so on.

You camp in sand benches that nature has provided. It is 14 miles the first day. There is no way to miss them and they come shortly after a rock jam that you have to climb down and a huge boudler stuck in the slot over your head. Our backdrop for our campsite was a small stream heading for the Paria River and 200ft or more canyon walls that made your neck hurt just to look that straight up.

The next day starts with a short hike to the Paria River which leads to the Colorado River at Lee's Fairy. We headed north instead of South to the Colorado for our exit. The Paria River is very slity and doesn't make good water to filter. Though the Paria River's canyon walls are farther apart the river takes up a lot of it as your wind your way. Be prepared for more in and out of water and just to make you feel better the Paria River water is colder than the water in Buckskin. The Paria River gives a whole new experience of sheer canyon walls hundreds of feet above your head as your follow a river as it has carved its way millions of years ago.

The best part of the Paria River exit is the sun came out and we spent extra time relaxing in the sand watching the river and burning my nose. You forget after a day in the dark that you need suncreen on the way out.

We exited the Paria River at White House campground where we left our truck with totaly exhausted and elated minds and bodies.

Buckskin Gulch is one of the coolest canyoneering experiences that gave dramtic sceanry, experiences, and complete effort to complete.

Agua Fria River Canyon - Canyoneering Photos

2009-02-23T08:41:00.000-08:00

Canyoning Aguq Fria River Canyon Video

2009-02-23T07:34:00.000-08:00

Agua Fria River Canyon - Canyoneering North of Phoenix

2009-02-22T19:47:00.000-08:00

So we went down the Agua Fria River Canyon today. Overall a fun canyon for a February where the goal was to do no swimming. A little wading would be find and just wanted to get outside and enjoy a nice Arizona canyon.

One thing to keep in mind is that I thought this canyon would take 4.5-5.5 hrs to complete. Nine hours later we got back to the truck. A slight miss understanding to the time it takes to get through the canyon. This is the most off by time to complete I have been in a canyon. I will tell you later what took so long.

The canyoning trip starts with an easy hike down the Badger Spring Wash which leads to the Agua Fria River. The river had good water flow though the canyon was wide and made for scrambling and bouldering to stay out of the water. Though the temperature eventually hit 75 degrees outside the water was still freezing and swimming or constant wading through the water would have been hypothermia.

The Agua Fria River Canyon is full of boulder mazes which you can find your way through. There are plenty of small water falls which keeps the scenery going. The canyon changes quite a few times from different types of rock. I enjoyed scrambling over some cool blue boulders for a good stretch of the canyon.

There were a few instances where we did get wet up to our waist though most of the canyon was scrambling and just some ankle deep wading. Though with any good canyon trip we did find a way to make one short freezing swim. This could have been avoided though the path we took through a water fall left us no other choice. The hot sun made it easy to warm back up.

So what took so long? The Agua Fria River Canyon itself took a little longer than I anticipated though nothing much. Most of the extra was spent find routes to stay out of the freezing water which would be faster in the summer when we would have gone right down the middle of the canyon. The extra time was spent in a side canyon we were taking out. The canyon takes you close to interstate 17 at mile marker 252 which we were going to take a cow trail back to the truck. The side canyon was a mile and I didn't think it would take very long. Over 3 hours later I was mistaken.

The side canyon was overgrown with vegetation which made travel almost impossible at times. The scrambling around these areas was full of cacti which wasn't much of a better idea. After two hours of going no where I decided we could climb out and just find the trail we wanted. As we got higher we saw there was a primitive trail on the other side of the canyon. After finding the climb more of a problem then we thought we had to find our way back down and to the trail.

Standing in our way of the trail was 10ft high stalk plants of some kind that we as thick as naturally possible. We had to fight our way which was one of the most ere experiences stuck in the middle of these plants and using all my might just to move an inch.

We did make it through and found the trail which made for a tired though fairly easy walk out of the canyon where we found our trail and back to the truck. It never sises to amaze me how exiting a canyon can be more of any adventure than the canyon itself.

Peters Canyon Canyoneering Photo Gallery

2009-02-14T15:49:00.000-08:00

Canyoneering Peters Canyon Near Tortilla Flat, Arizona

2009-02-14T15:11:00.000-08:00

With the winter I hadn't been scrambling around any canyons lately. Last night around 9 o'clock I just decided I am going down a canyon the following morning. I wanted to find a fun bouldering and scrambling canyon where I wasn't going to have to swim since the water is still freezing.

I picked Peters Canyon which is off highway 88 or Apache Trail Rd in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. Peters Canyon is easy to get to as you park at Tortilla Flat a little restaurant and ice cream parlor next to Canyon Lake.

Right at Tortilla Flat is Tortilla Flat Creek which was flooding the road when I got there. Always an interesting way to start a canyon trip when the creek you are entering is flooded. The lack of narrows makes the canyon a low risk for flash floods. You scramble along the back for about a quarter mile and you reach the conflux with Peters Canyon.

Peters Canyon consists of a boulder maze of scrambling, bouldering, wading through no more than shin deep water, and hiking through some sand. The canyon was full of water and had a good stream going which created a fun challenge of figuring out how to get past. Many spots had the stream split into three or four separate streams with their own small waterfall. The neat thing about this canyon as is does provide a fun experience without having to get completely wet when you want to go out on an Arizona winter canyoning adventure.

Two and half hours into Peters Canyon is a 10ft waterfall which takes a little climbing to the left on some boulders to get on top of. This is pretty much the end of anything fun in the canyon. The canyon widens and flatens out past the waterfall. On top of the waterfall is a great place to take a break and have a snack. This canyon is an out and back.

The thing I really liked about this canyon as there were so many different options on how to get through the canyon that the way back was a completely new experience of the canyon for me. I found myself plenty of times in different parts of the stream where I spent more time wading on the way back. This made coming back down the same canyon more fun than I have had on any out and back canyon.

I highley recommend this canyon to anyone who wants to get out during nice winter days in Arizona. Once the heat comes though I would find a canyon where you get more wet and can cool off.

San Tan Mountain Adventure - South of Gilbert, AZ

2009-01-05T14:53:00.001-08:00

Well it isn't quite a canyoneering trip nor did it have much adventure, then again it might depend on who you ask. I haven't a made it out to any new canyon routes lately. I had a trip planned though we went golfing instead. Hard to pass up a free round at a golf course that costs $250 for 18 holes. I did take my son out for his first hike. His neck is finally strong enough and take the bouncing up and down of hiking a trail.

He seemed to love his new adventure as he jabbered in my ear the entire time. The hike can get a little strenuous depending on what path you take in the San Tan mountain range. They are not very high though some climbs are pretty steep.

Just south of Gilbert, AZ is the San Tan mountains which have numerous trails and is a great place for a quick hike and get outside. I have used this trail system for trail running and mountain bike workouts in the past, though now it makes a great time for me and Lleyton.

Canyoning Sycamore Canyon Video by Nogales, Arizona

2008-11-18T15:05:00.000-08:00

Canyoneering Sycamore Canyon Photos

2008-11-18T14:11:00.000-08:00

Canyoneering to the Mexican Border

2008-11-13T10:43:00.000-08:00

One of the intriguing ideas of the Sycamore Canyon route was that at the end was the international line separating Mexico from the United States. With the continual fight and debates over illegal immigration from Mexico, I couldn't pass up the idea of myself hiking to the border to see what is there.

A note about Sycamore Canyon: it may be the least technical canyon I have down yet; it is the most abusing on the body of any outdoor activity I have done. I have climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro and hiked plenty of more strenuous miles before in a day though I wasn't prepared for what 10 plus miles of constant hiking in sand, rocks, boulders, and water would do to my feet and my hips on down. I was never physically exhausted just physically worn down.

Sycamore Canyon runs straight into Mexico so if you follow it long enough you will reach the Mexican border. I had read that there is fence protecting the international border and this is something I wanted to see. I wanted to see what is blocking people from crossing into the United States.

It was almost laughable once we arrived. My first view of the fence was that there was a ditch underneath it that allows anybody to easy slide underneath the fence. It is possible that the ditch underneath was man made.

It gets better when I look to my left I see this fence of international protection just lying on the ground. This is the photo shown in the post. Yes, you don't even have to go over or under the fence to get in you just have to step over the fence.

I find it literally fascinating the big official borders with all the officers asking you questions when just a few miles away you can just walk in and not even have to figure a way around a fence. Not that the fence would really stop anybody who wanted to get in just the personal idea that you can bypass the lines at the gate to just walk across yourself.

Sycamore Canyon Canoneering in Southern Arizona

2008-11-12T20:40:00.000-08:00

I just finished Sycamore Canyon which is just a few miles west of Nogales. Yes, Nogales which means we were practically at the Mexican border. You have to read my up coming post if you want to find out what happened when we got to the Mexican border which we did.

I chose Sycamore Canyon for one important reason; I didn't want to freeze my butt off. The last canyon much farther north at Christopher Creek was the coldest I had ever been. I take that back summitting Mt. Kilimanjaro was the coldest I have ever been. Yes we could have brought wetsuits to Christopher Creek though it was 80 degrees outsite and Christopher Creek is open to the sun.

Sycamore Canyon has constant running water though the canyon is wide enough with a little scambling and climbing most of it can be avoided if you don't want to get wet. This was precisely my goal since it is now November in Arizona and not June any more.

Because you are not getting wet it makes canyoneering Sycamore Canyon mostly a hike. There is one stretch of narrows where we did swim two pools which were freezing to say the least. I did my best Bear Grylls jumping jacks in the sun to warm up. These pools can be avoided with some decent climbing skills though I had a new guy with me that I was going to make sure got wet at least once.

We covered over 10 miles of sand, rock, water, and boulders which is a lot of miles for going through a canyon in one day. I guarentee you will feel your hips after this canyon.

Sycamore Canyon is an out and back so you can turn around when ever you want. The scenry doesn't change much past the narrows though I would spend a little more time beyond. For those who want to put in the miles you can keep going all the way to the Mexican border where a fence tells you that you have reached the international line.

I recommend this canyon if you are looking for a winter canyon trip that you don't have to worry about getting cold. By the way we climbed around the two pools we swam on the way out.

Zone Training for beginners to maximize workouts

2008-10-28T16:07:00.000-07:00

Like Training programs that are based upon maximum heart rate, Anaerobic threshold (AT)-based training zones are relative to varying levels of intensity, each of which serves different training objectives. Each of these zones develops essential physiological functions that contribute to good health and improved fitness, especially the possibility of weight loss. So you should never limit your training to a single metabolic zone, although you may exercise predominantly in one zone for a given time in order to reach specific training objectives.

Except for rank beginners or people with health related limitations, all levels of intensity are appropriate to ensure maximum cardiovascular development and results. How much and how often you work in each zone will depend on your athletic goals and your current level of fitness (continue reading for a more detailed description of the zones and their primary applications).

Let's look at the volume of the different zones that should be performed weekly. As a rule of thumb, 60 to 65 percent of your total workout time should focus on Zones 1 and 2; 30 to 35 percent on Zones 3 and 4; and about 5 percent on Zone 5. But you need not incorporate all zones into a single workout. In fact, you'll get better results from designing a range of different workouts throughout the week - including long, easy ones in Zones 1 and 2, and shorter, tougher ones that occupy more time in Zones 3, 4 and 5.

ZONE 1: Warm-up Heart-rate range: 60 to 70 percent of AT.

Training objectives: Encourage blood flow and burn fat.

What's happening: This is almost a pure aerobic state, which you can maintain almost indefinitely without experiencing any rise in blood lactate.

Feeling: Comfortable to talk and breathe through your nose.

How long: 10-minute warm-up progressing to higher intensity zones for 45 minutes or longer. Depending on your fitness level, you may need to start with a shorter workout and build up to 45 minutes, or do several shorter workouts throughout the day.

Zone 1 basics: This is a good place to launch your fitness program if you are a beginner or returning to exercise after taking off several months or more. It develops basic exercise technique, endurance and an aerobic base. Ideally, if you are new to exercise, or returning to training after a long break, you should stay in Zone 1 for about six weeks before moving up in zones. Zone 1 is also a good place to recover from tougher workouts.

ZONE 2: Aerobic Development

Heart-rate range: 70 to 90 percent of AT.

Training objectives: Build aerobic efficiency and maximize fat burning at a higher caloric rate.

What's happening: A small rise in blood lactate occurs, yet the body can process it without buildup.

Feeling: You can still converse and may have the urge to go faster. Breathing deepens a bit.

How long: 30 minutes (beginner); 90 minutes or longer (advanced).

Zone 2 basics: Before developing your lactate tolerance or increasing your AT, you should fully develop your "aerobic base," and this is a great zone for moving that effort forward. Noticeable improvement in this zone generally takes about six weeks of consistent training. But don't worry: As you become more efficient and fit, you'll be able to work out faster in every zone. For fit people, Zone 2 is also a good place for active recovery.

ZONE 3: Aerobic Endurance Heart-rate range: 90 to 100 percent of AT.

Training objectives: Increase endurance. Here, you push your AT up to higher intensity by training your body to tolerate more lactate in the blood.

What's happening: As intensity increases, not all lactate produced in the cells can be shuttled back into the metabolic cycle. Lactate levels in the blood begin to rise and, with time, fatigue sets in.

Feeling: Breathing becomes noticeable, but not too difficult; conversation is restricted to short sentences.

How long: 20 minutes (beginner); one hour or more (advanced).

Zone 3 basics: Building endurance at your AT through long intervals (four to 10 minutes) at threshold range will help raise your AT and slowly develop your body's tolerance of lactate. This training adaptation also allows your body to burn fat more efficiently. The idea here is to rest between intervals with your heart rate recovering in your aerobic zone and then increase intensity again up to your threshold.

ZONE 4: Anaerobic Endurance Heart-rate range: 100 to 110 percent of AT.

Training objectives: Increase athletic ability by improving lactate tolerance. Here you're pushing AT and VO2 max (your body's highest ability to utilize oxygen), challenging the heart to work longer, and increasing cardiac output (more blood is being pumped with each stroke, thus requiring fewer strokes per minute).

What's happening: Your body switches into primarily using glycogen or carbohydrate to fuel its need for energy, and your blood-lactate levels dramatically increase.

Feeling: Breathing becomes heavy, difficult and uncomfortable. You may also experience "muscle burn" because of lactate buildup.

How long: Five minutes (beginner); 30 minutes (advanced).

Zone 4 basics: Run at an aerobic pace, then speed up or increase resistance until your heart beats at 110 percent of your AT range. Maintain this level for one to four minutes. Reduce the pace until your heart returns slightly below AT, but not completely back to the aerobic zone. Then repeat the interval.

ZONE 5: Speed and Power Heart-rate range: 110 percent of AT to MHR.

Training objectives: Increase athletic ability by improving neurological response, exercise mechanics, speed and muscle power.

What's happening: Your body is burning the last remaining fuel (glycogen) in your muscles and cannot sustain this maximum effort for more than a few seconds without succumbing to exhaustion.

Feeling: Extremely difficult and uncomfortable. You'll feel breathless and may hear pounding in your chest. You'll feel an intense desire to slow or stop.

How long: Typically several seconds.

Zone 5 basics: Your work here consists of sprints and very intense, short intervals (up to one minute). Although you can come in and out of Zone 5 several times during the course of a single workout, spending more than 10 percent of your total workout time in this zone increases your risk of injury. If you've done a significant amount of Zone 5 work, be sure to add recovery time (meaning a day or two of rest or working in Zones 1 and 2) before returning to Zones 4 and 5.

Progress Makes Perfect By using your AT as a marker for aerobic exercise, you can base your training on a highly individualized fitness parameter, without having to guess about percentages of MHR. This lets you take advantage of every exercise session, knowing you are making the most of your time and energy. And as your fitness improves, so will your AT - one of the best indicators of cardiovascular health, fitness and overall vitality.

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Indoor Rock Climbing for Fitness: It's Not Extreme Anymore

2008-10-07T16:49:00.000-07:00

Once an activity labeled as an "extreme sport", rock climbing has in the last few years become a very popular workout activity as the use of indoor climbing walls in fitness facilities, community centers and health clubs has increased and made the sport much more user friendly. Not only can it be fun and exciting, rock climbing is one of the most effective strength training workouts a person can ever have, providing fitness and strength benefits that are difficult to match with any other single activity. If you want to work out every muscle in your body in the shortest amount of time possible and get quick results in strength, body shape, toning and muscular endurance, there is no better thing to do. It burns a tremendous amount of calories as well, assisting with weight or fat loss. And did I mention that it is fun? Participants sometimes have such a blast that they even forget to feel tired! Around twenty years ago, the very first climbing gyms started appearing around the United States. One of the first was The Vertical Club in Seattle, Washington, and that is where I first took a lesson and learned to climb. My experience walking in there in 1993 was TOTALLY different than a new climber would have walking into the average climbing facility now. Back then, climbing gyms were primarily the domain of serious rock climbers who needed a way to stay in shape during the bad weather months or in between trips to outdoor climbing locations. Climbing as a general fitness activity hadn't arrived yet.

When I entered the facility that day, I was first greeted by a man on crutches who told me he had just broken his ankle in an outdoor climbing fall. He seemed pretty intense. There were several men climbing near the front without shirts on, their bodies seemingly made of nothing but muscle and sinew. One of them was attempting a climbing move just a few feet off the ground right in front of his buddies, who stood no more than arms reach from him, shouting him encouragement and prepared to break his fall if he came off the wall. He was exerting himself fully while trying the move, and I was struck by his effort, while all he had to do was literally put his foot down and he would have been standing directly on the ground.

I felt somewhat intimidated by the atmosphere. The place was definitely filled with people who climbed seriously, and at that time I was definitely someone who did not. I was glad I was there to take an actual lesson because I would have absolutely no idea how to start for myself. My teacher was the owner of the club, and he was very friendly and helpful. It was almost like having my own personal trainer. By the end of the 2 hour lesson I knew my way around the gym and the equipment and knew how to belay another climber and tie myself into the rope for safety. And I had climbed from the bottom of the walls to the top several times successfully. I was officially a climber, albeit a very enthusiastic beginner.

In the present day, a first trip to a climbing facility for a beginner will be a completely different experience. There are many more climbing gyms around, and like I mentioned above, many fitness centers and health clubs have climbing walls now. These climbing gyms and fitness center walls are used much more now by the average fitness enthusiast who is looking for a fun way to workout or have some recreation, and beginner classes abound. The look and feel of the facilities is usually very family friendly. Birthday parties and social events for kids, corporate outing and team building for adults as well as family recreation outings make up a huge percentage of the business for climbing walls nowadays. A first time visitor will be greeted by an enthusiastic staff wearing matching t-shirts and typically watch a safety video that gives an overview of the procedures of the facility. Then in a small group or individually, they are led out to attempt a few climbs before they are cleared to use the place on their own. The extensive orientation I received at The Vertical Club is mostly a thing of the past. The equipment and safety set up is much easier for the average person to learn, which gets them climbing and having fun sooner. This has greatly increased the number of people who participate in climbing and has led to the serious climbers that I saw on my first trip to The Vertical Club frequently being the minority in the gym at any given time.

Getting your exercise while climbing indoors usually involves you making your way from the floor toward the ceiling of the facility using plastic holds for your hands and feet that have the same look and feel as real rock. These are attached to a wall that is textured to resemble a real cliff face. As you make your way to the top, a cable attached to an automatic belay device or a rope attached to your partner and tied to your safety harness that you wear keeps you safe from a fall. Most indoor facilities have walls for roped climbing that go up to about 30 feet in height, though some in the United States go from 60 to 90 feet. Most facilities also have a version of climbing called bouldering where the climber is not roped but never climbs more than 10-15 feet off the ground, protecting against a fall with large gymnastics pads moved around on the floor underneath. Snug fitting climbing shoes with specially made rubber soles are worn for incredible grip against the footholds.

Indoor rock climbing requires exactly the same fitness and muscle strength and enduranace demands as doing it outdoors. And the benefits are awesome! Unlike traditional weight training which involves lifting weight in a controlled movement in a gym or home setting, rock climbing is "strength training with a twist": you as the climber are now the weight going up or down and rather than an arbitrary number of repetitions to be performed to complete a set, the goal of climbing is to get to the top of the wall. It doesn't matter how it is accomplished, either. Climbing doesn't have to look pretty to be effective. The result is a change of focus away from the effort of repetitions to the effort of working toward the immediately achievable goal of reaching the top. This can result in a very empowering feeling of accomplishment for the climber, because each trip up the wall holds a challenge that can be overcome and a goal that is achieved. This is what has been known to be addicting and can lead you to want to do more. And when you want to do more, you will keep doing it. And that is the biggest secret for long term success in fitness: keep doing it! It is amazing what consistency can accomplish.

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Bear Grylls in Home State of South Dakota

2008-09-23T22:50:00.001-07:00

I do call Arizona home now a days though I grew in South Dakota. It was neat to see Bear Grylls in Man vs Wild in the Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota. I took my wife then pregnant with my little girl to the Black Hills and my dog scared away a goat in the Badlands. My surviving that trip wasn't much as we just drove through the Badlands.

If you have never been than I highly recommend visiting the western edge of South Dakota. Interestingly, I can get from Phoenix to Vegas faster than I could get from my house in South Dakota to the Black Hills. Most people don't realize how big the states are in the midwest.

Canyoneering Christopher Creek Canyon Video

2008-09-21T17:24:00.000-07:00

Christopher Creek Canyon Canyoning Photos

2008-09-21T17:19:00.000-07:00

Christopher Creek Canyon Canyoneering

2008-09-21T13:03:00.000-07:00

The latest canyon we went canyoneering is Christopher Creek Canyon outside Payson, AZ. This is a great canyon full of waterfalls and you are definitely in and out of the water.

The canyon is easy to get to with parking on the side of the road and an easy to follow trail that leads to an entrance to the canyon. Because of the ease of access you might find the beginning populated with people. Trust me though only the canyoneers are going farther into the canyon so you will lose people quickly.

The main concern about this canyon is the water is cold year around. For us it might have been 80 degrees outside the water temp was in the fifties. It was cold to say the least. I highly recommend a wetsuit to do this canyon or at least a wetsuit top. We didn't have either so it swim as hard as you can and then jump and run in place to warm back up once out. The good thing is you are in and out of the water so you do have the ability to warm up.

The canyon is full of tiny waterfalls to go down and around. A few a slid down which is always fun. Be prepared to go through tons of pools which are typically over your head. I rarely just waded through the water, mostly it was swimming.

There are 3-5 rappels you need to complete depending on your climbing skill level. There are obvious natural anchors and some have fairly new webbing already in place though I won't automatically count on that.

Three of the rappels are direct in waterfalls that are extremely slippery. Every person slipped at least once so make sure you go slow and keep your hand locked on the rope during the rappel.

Over all extremely fun canyon with tons of waterfalls and pools to swim.

Why Core Fitness is Important

2008-09-11T16:08:00.000-07:00

If you've listened to the buzz around the fitness world lately or perused the latest workout books, you've probably heard the experts referencing core fitness in some shape or form. Traditionally, strength training has been dominated by exercises focused on isolating the muscles of the arms and legs. In fact, if you look at many of the weight machines that have become popular in modern gyms, you'll notice that they require you to sit or recline while you use them.

While these machines will effectively help you build the muscles that they target, the problem is that, in real life, we don't use our muscles that way. We lift a box from the floor to a shelf, swing a golf club, push our children on the swing set, or climb a rock wall. In fact, the vast majority of the things we do require all of the muscles in our bodies to function together and be coordinated through our mid-sections, or our "core."

While those activities may make the use of core muscles seem very obvious, this area, made up of the muscles of our midsection, are actually responsible for quite a few of the more subtle functions as well, including posture, balance and stability.

A weakened core will often result in poor posture and stability, yet we don't necessarily feel the results of it in areas that show us a direct cause and effect correlation. For example, poor posture, due to a weakened core, might allow our hips to slip out of alignment resulting in knee pain. In fact, quite a few of the chronic muscle and joint pain issues that Americans are suffering with today stem from a weakened core.

It is no wonder, then, that exercise science has taken a dramatic shift in recent years to include the core in strength training regimes. Now, rather than using a machine to first exercise your legs and then your arms, trainers are suggesting that their clients use free weights or bands to combine exercises such as a squat to overhead press. By linking the two, people are forced to transition the exercise movement through their core, and the core muscles in turn help to maintain good posture throughout the exercise. The end result is that we are exercising in a fashion that mimics the movements that we use in everyday life, while creating better posture and increasing our stability and balance.

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Bear Grylls is Back in the Canyons of Baja Peninsula

2008-08-06T23:15:00.000-07:00

New episode of Man vs Wild aired tonight with Bear Gryllys showing off killing a diamondback and drinking his own pee. Watching Bear drink his own pee even made me a little squeamish just watching it. I guest that is why I always take my water filter with me on every outdoor trip, even the day hikes when more emergency end up happening.

Bear Grylls found the dry river canyons of Northern Mexico, though I think I will keep my adventure to water filled canyons of Arizona. I much enjoy cooling off in a nice canyon pool.

The trick he showed for finding water by digging at the base of rock formations was a good thing to keep in mind if ever in an emergency situation. There looked to be enough water at the base of the one he found where you could hangout and stay hydrated while you waited to be resuced.

My next adventure is heading up to Christopher Creek Canyon outside Payson, AZ. I am hoping to stay away from killing skunks, drinking my own pee, or coming face to face with a diamond back. I have already almost stepped on a diamondback this year so if I don't see another one I will be fine.

How to Rapell - Used for Canyoneering Canyons

2008-08-03T13:13:00.000-07:00

I would always recommend taking classes or getting professional training before you start trusting your life to a rappel. Also, always make sure that go into canyons with a partner and that both parties check over the set up before you clip off and go down.

Things You’ll Need:

* Athletic Tapes
* Climbing Gear
* Climbing Harnesses
* Climbing Helmets
* Climbing Ropes
* Climbing Shoes

Step1
Set the rappel anchor. The rappel anchors should be tested before you trust them with your life. You should be securely attached to these anchors with a sling or daisy chain while you proceed through the following steps.

Step2
Prepare the rope for a single rope rappel. Fix one end of the rope to the rappel anchors by tieing a double figure 8 knot into the carabiners at the end of the equalized anchors. Make sure the rope doesn't go over any sharp edges and that the other end of the rope makes it to the ground.

Step3
Attach the rappel device to the rope. Be careful not to drop your device as you are attaching it to the rope. Check the manufacturer's instructions for how to use your particular rappel device.

Step4
Attach your rappel device to your harness. Clip into the rappel device with a locking carabiner. Do not unclip from the anchors (Step 1) until you are sure you are correctly attached to the rappel device, and the rappel device is correctly attached to the rope. After you've tested both the rope and the device, you can unclip your daisy chain from the anchors and proceed with the rappel.

Step5
Get in position. These instructions assume you are right-handed or are comfortable using your right hand in this. Place your left hand around the rope about 6 inches above the rappel device. Your left hand will be between your rappel device and the anchors holding the rope. Consider wearing gloves to protect your hands.

Step6
Grab the rope that hangs down out of the rappel device with your right hand and slide your hand on the rope back to your right hip and wrap the rope slightly around your right hip. Your right hand in this configuration is called your brake hand.

Step7
Rappel downward. Let some of the rope in your right hand slide up through the rappel device. As you do this you will slide down the rope.

Step8
Move past obstructions and overhangs. Make sure not to knock loose any rocks or other debris.

Step9
When you are safely on the ground, release the rope from your rappel device and call "Off rappel" for others who may be waiting.

Canyoneering First Aid

2008-08-01T20:02:00.000-07:00

Not-such-big-deals.

* Contaminated water: Iodine, Water filter.

* Sprained ankle: ACE bandage, tape, trekking pole as cane.

* Abrasion: Band-aid, butterfly dressing, tape, Neosporin, Betadine.

* Blisters: mole-skin, scissors, gauze, clean socks.

* Sliver: tweezers

* Diarrhea: Pepto-Bismol, Imodium, soap to wash hands before preparing food for you non-diarrheal buddies.

* Pain: Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, narcotics. (Avoid Aspirin in kids as it may cause Reye's syndrome).

* Insomnia: Benadryl

Big-deals:

-The first rule of a significant rescue is not to make the problem worse than it is. Folks sent out ahead to call Search and Rescue can end up as fatalities when they become lost or exposed, while the injured hunker down and are eventually rescued. Exposing yourself to additional risk in a rescue effort must be weighed against increased hazard to the entire team if further injury occurs.

-All big deals require urgent transport to medical facility. You should know where the closest hospital is and how to get there. If members of the party are sent ahead to call Search and Rescue, pencil and paper are useful to record location of injured people and injuries. Cell phones expedite evacuation, but often have poor reception in canyons/desert. Reflective mirrors are also useful, but few people know how to use one.

* Laceration: Quick Clot(tm) Field dressing, gauze pads, gloves, trauma shears, steri-strips, super-glue/Durabond (use with care-Durabond less irritating to skin than industrial superglue), triangular bandage. Think pressure, lots and lots of pressure.

* Fracture: SAM splint, ACE bandage, Popsicle-stick (finger fracture), tape. Trekking pole for cane. Injuries compromising blood flow or sensation (neurovascular injury) require emergent evacuation and orthopedic evaluation.

* Snake bite: Betadine, soap, gauze, maybe venom extractor (no cowboy cut and suck technique please).

* Hypothermia: dry fleece jacket and hat, emergency blanket/bag for all party members, lightweight stove and bullion/ramen, hard candy, extra energy bar, magnesium strip, and lighter. Fire starting skills. Willingness to accept a forced bivy and warm up rather than push on. Watch for the 'umbles: mumbles, grumbles, tumbles, stumbles, fumbles.

* Flail chest: Lots of tape, rolled up sweater to brace chest.

* Pneumothorax: If you don't know what it is, don't carry the 16 gauge needle to treat it, petroleum gauze and tape to make one-way valve. Monitor vitals, if breathing or pulse gets worse, patient may have tension pneumothorax. This will require emergent evacuation and treatment. Effective diagnosis and treatment in the wilderness is difficult under the best of circumstances.

* Burn: petroleum gauze, more gauze, hydration, pain management.

* Falls: Danger of spinal injury. DO NOT move the patient or the patient's head unless you want to paralyze them for life. If person moved already, they may still have a spinal injury. A first-responder should immobilize the patient's head to prevent unintentional movement.

In any trauma, spinal injury, internal bleeding, respiratory distress, and hypovolemic shock (even if you can't see any wounds) are a real danger. Seek help immediately.

-There are other big-deals dealing with the ABC's (airway, breathing, circulation). You could carry some airway protection device, a guard for mouth-to-mouth, knowledge of CPR/basic life support/advanced life support. However, it is difficult to imagine situations when someone healthy enough to descend a canyon could develop a condition requiring aggressive intervention in the wilderness and benefit from it. You simply aren't equipped in the wilderness to deal with respiratory failure due to tracheal injury, drowning/aspiration, status asthmaticus, or cardiovascular collapse due to arrhythmia, massive myocardial infarction or shock. There are portable cardioversion devices available, but none light enough to justify carrying it in the back-country. A trial of CPR followed by urgent evacuation is really the only solution. Always consider the safety of the rest of the group when starting a rescue effort.

Wilderness Pharmacopeia:

* Pain:

Tylenol, Naproxen, Ibuprofen. Avoid aspirin in kids.

* Wounds:

Triple antibiotic with lidocaine. Betadine.

* GI issues:

Iodine, Water filter, Pepto-Bismol, Imodium, Ex-lax for your buddy's brownies.

* Asthma:

Albuterol inhaler for anyone who has ever had one.

Canyoneering Adventures Video Gallery

2008-07-28T23:13:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-28T22:49:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-28T22:17:00.000-07:00

Moss Pool Upper Fish Creek Canyon Canyoneering

2008-07-28T22:16:00.000-07:00

Upper Fish Creek Canyon Canyoneering Superstition Mountains

2008-07-28T20:03:00.000-07:00

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.

Good Solo Hiking Tent for Canyoneering

2008-07-11T08:45:00.000-07:00

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.

ACA Canyoneering Rating System

2008-07-06T07:56:00.000-07:00

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.

Alpine Climbing and Fitness

2008-06-30T12:43:00.000-07:00

I have written before in this publication about indoor rock climbing and its fitness benefits. Now I want to turn my attention to the sport of "alpine climbing" and its variations, and how this activity can become a part of a fitness lifestyle that is truly in concert with what we call the "inner athlete." Another term for alpine climbing is simply "mountain climbing". Though most people would think of mountain climbing as something that would involve a very high peak and trekking through snow to get to the top, the purpose of this article is to show the value of participating even in less extensive climbs that test fitness and require some planning, but can be done in a short period of time or even over the course of an afternoon. As a personal trainer I was always looking for things that would effectively motivate my clients to adhere to a fitness program and reach their goals. Whether the goal was weight loss, building muscles, toning up their bodies or having more energy, I knew that the "Inner Athlete" that we mention frequently on our website exists in everybody, so it was up to me to find an activity that allowed a client's version of that inner athlete to come out. Training to get their body fit enough to climb a mountain was frequently the ticket. It is a very simple idea: get your body from the bottom of the mountain to the top, and once you are up there, enjoy the view and the fruits of your labor. A lot of clients were really intrigues by the idea, so we built their cardio programs and resistance training programs around it.

As I write this article, recently I have been riveted by the current Discovery Channel series "Everest, Beyond the Limit". The series follows the journey of a group of climbers led by a professional guide as they attempt to reach the summit of the world's highest mountain. In the series, viewers are treated for really the first time with EXACTLY what it looks and sounds like way up at those rarely traveled altitudes. In addition, a TV series has never before focused on the actual life these climbers lead as they spend almost 2 months on the mountain itself, getting used to the altitude and building the specific fitness required to achieve the summit. The hardship these people endure to reach their goal is almost beyond the understanding of most people, as the prolonged exposure to the increasing altitudes of Everest causes the climbers' minds and bodies to gradually shut down and stop working properly. It is enough to make even a pretty experienced fitness professional and adventurer like myself question the value of doing something that extreme to my body. Even having done some alpine climbing myself, including summiting Oregon's Mt. Hood (11,249ft) and Washington's famous Mt. St. Helens (8,364 ft), I still found it tough to imagine wanting to put my body through something so tortuous. The altitudes on the mountains I have climbed are only around 1/3 as high as those on Everest (29,035ft)

That's not what this article is about, however. Only a few thousand people in the entire world have ever stepped onto the summit of Everest, but virtually anyone can find a "climbing" adventure that suits their fitness and personality. The experience of the thrill of climbing is something that is realistically within anyone's means when actually trained for. Most people have just never really considered it possible or know where to start. Looking beyond the extreme nature that is present on Everest, the sport of "mountain climbing" can be participated in by almost anyone with a solid basic level of fitness. There some real and absolutely extraordinary fitness benefits that extreme climbers have achieved by the time they are done on Everest, and a version of those benefits are within the reach of "normal" people. These are people who may want the adventure of climbing a mountain to motivate them, but can realistically be achieved on a much smaller scale attainable by virtually anyone.

Physiologically, climbing is one of the most effective aerobic activities that can be performed. The steady state effort required to train for and perform climbs builds tremendous fitness in the heart and circulatory system. It is also typically low impact and easy on the joints which makes it an activity that virtually anyone can perform at some level.

Psychologially, climbing has a typically very simple appeal: getting to the top of a mountain feels good and is a very easy goal to define. "I made it to the top" is a very attractive thing to feel. Everybody wants to feel a sense of accomplishemnt in their lives, and too often our fitness success or failure is defined by the weight scale. All shapes and sizes of, people can climb, and the mountain doesn't care what size you are, it only cares if you made it to the top of it or not. So, best of luck in your climbing adventures, no matter at what altitude you finish!

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First Water Canyon Narrows Canyoneering Arizona

2008-06-25T17:59:00.000-07:00

First Water Canyon Canyoning Photos

2008-06-25T17:13:00.001-07:00

Powergels by Powerbar Energy for Outdoor Adventures Hiking

2008-06-25T11:50:00.000-07:00

Outdoor Supplements

Beta Alanine 2000 Greater Endurance Canyoneering or Hiking

2008-06-24T22:16:00.000-07:00

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Canyoneering Adventure of Real Life Survival

2008-06-24T21:40:00.000-07:00

First Water Canyon - Arizona Canyon Lake

2008-06-24T20:58:00.001-07:00

Just got done finding my way through First Water Canyon which is found running off from Canyon Lake in Arizona. First Water Canyon extends for miles though the part we entered is right after the first one lane bridge when you arrive at Canyon Lake.

Canyon Lake is beautiful county and if you get the chance it is a nice place for a picnic or sight seeing while in the Phoenix desert.

We started our adventure with a little climbing and scrambling as we found our way to the top of the cliff as we made our way from Canyon Lake to where the canyon starts to form. The route was thorny so we decided to get in the water earlier than needed. You are going to get wet entering Canyon Lake so might as well make it early.

To enter First Water Canyon it requires so swimming before a short wade. We added only a few minutes to our swim though it took 45 minutes to swim against the current until we were able to wade. It is absolutely beautiful while you swim your way zigzagging through the canyons walls towering above.

Once out of the water is a short hike of boulder hopping and sand. A few pools which are green and shallow which we climbed around.

A mile or so from getting out of the water is a cool narrows followed by a chimney made out of the rock. We played around the chimney area for some short climbing and then we the canyon opens more into the hot Arizona desert. This was our turn around point as the canyon goes for miles.

The swim back feels great on a hot summer day. I highly recommend the hike especially because you have to swim to get in which eliminates almost all people. Other than the swim the canyon is pretty easy to navigate with amazing canyon walls that tower above your head.

Reduce Pain & Tension Active Calf Stretch

2008-06-23T15:42:00.000-07:00

Rattlesnake Tonto National Forest

2008-06-18T07:48:00.000-07:00

On the hike to find the entrance to the Jug for our canyoneering trip inside Tonto National Forest we ran into a rattlesnake. The path was pretty good though the rattlesnake was hiding in some brush and rocks in the middle of the trail. The darn thing blended into the ground perfectly and scared the life out of me when I almost stepped on it. Yes, I was the lucky one who got to almost step on it. After reviewing the photos we took of it, the snake was a diamondback rattlesnake. You can tell this by the black and white stripes before the rattle.

After jumping back a few feet, the rattlesnake slithered over to the edge of the trail, and I thought he would just move on. He didn't. The diamondback coiled up in a defense posture ready to strike if we messed with him. I read after the event that this is common for diamondback rattlesnakes to defend their position. Lucky for us there hardly any room on the trail between the snake and the edge. Over the edge was exceptionally steep though I didn't want to fall off the edge about as much as I didn't want to get bitten. We got as far away from the rattlesnake as we could without falling off the ledge and scampered by. I have to admit I was quite nervous moving by him as I couldn't give as wide of a berth as I would like.

It isn't common to see diamondback rattlesnakes on groomed trails though it was early in the morning and we wanted to beat the heat. Which is what the rattlesnake was doing before going for shelter as the day would get to 105 degrees. The temperature felt great in the canyon.

After making our way through the Jug, having to walk back by the spot where we saw the rattlesnake was nerve racking. Your mind may know that at 105 degrees the snake should be long gone for cover and shake though that doesn't stop the emotion of still remembering on stepping on him fresh in your mind.

If you are in rattlesnake county I highly recommend always carrying a snake bite kit as you never know. Most snake bites come when people attempt to play with them or pick them up. So give them a wide berth and though your heart may skip a beat you should be fine to continue your trip.

Canyoneering the Jug Photos

2008-06-16T07:36:00.000-07:00

Canyoneering the Jug, Arizona

2008-06-15T22:08:00.000-07:00

When down the Jug yesterday which is an amazing granite canyon gorge outside Phoenix, AZ. The Jug to date is my favorite canyon I have been done. It comprises amazing smooth granite walls with small waterfalls that keep you in the stream the entire way. I have read that water levels change drastically in the Jug and that it can be drier, though I believe this was the perfect water level that had constant water in shallow and deep pools.

To find the Jug you have to go into Salome Creek north of Roosevelt Lake. There is a trail head and sign at the entrance to park. Then it is a half hour hike to the entrance to the canyon. If you go early in the morning keep your eyes pealed for rattlesnakes which we suprisingly found. The place we found to enter was just a couple yards from a drainage pipe which you can find once you start to see views of the canyon.

Once down into the canyon, the Jug became a wonderful never ending twist and turn of pools, waterfalls, and boulders to find our way through. Make sure you come prepared to get wet as we never were out of the water for more than a minute the whole way down the canyon.

It took us an hour to get to the waterfall where you have a decision to make. You can make a twenty to thirty foot jump in a deep pool though be careful as you have to aim correct not to hit shallow parts. We chose to repel the waterfall which had nice anchors bolted into the granite for us to tie into.

Once down you have two amazing large pools to swim through that trust me you want to take your time to enjoy the amazement of nature and the beautiful sun glimmering off the smooth granite walls.

There is a nice trail that you can follow out which meets up with the trail that you used to find the entrance. Make sure you pack enough water with you as it will take a good 30-40 minutes back to the car which for us was in over 100 degree heat.

The Jug was the canyon I had the most fun in from wading through constant pools, swimming a lot, and even sliding down a waterfall.

Digestion Support in the Canyon

2008-06-13T11:58:00.001-07:00

If you have spent much time outdoors especially in canyons, you have experienced digestion issues after days of eating not typically the healthiest food. It can be tough to get good fruits and vegetables on the trail. I find after multi-day trips my stomach never feels as good as my typical eating habits.

I use iFlora which a probiotic to support my digestion. If you don't know what probiotics are they are healthy flora that are in the digestive system that get destroyed from stress, poor diets, and energy production. Probiotics give your body back the healthy flora you need to keep a healthy digestive system. They are good idea of overall health during the day, though I find them exceptionally important to keep me healthy while finding my ways through canyons.

Canyoneering the Jug

2008-06-10T17:16:00.000-07:00

I am looking forward to my trip this weekend. The Saturday I am going to find my way through the canyon called the Jug. The Jug has become a fairly popular canyoneering destination outside of Phoenix. The Jug is a serious drop into the earth of of the Salome Creek before it enters Roosevelt Lake.

I am using a new rope designed specifically for canyoneering. I will let you know how it works. It is supposed to keep its structure even when soaking wet. According to what I know of the Jug it is going to get its opportunity.

Never Leave Home Without

2008-06-09T20:20:00.000-07:00

There a few items that I never leave home without on any adventure or canyon trip. There is actually more to this list though these are three favorites.

The #1 item that I always have on me is my Breitling Emergency. If you don't know what that is that is the watch that Bear Grylls wears in Man vs Wild. I had mine before the show even existed though I think it is really cool that is the watch her wears. I had to rewind my Tivo when I was watching the first episode and saw his watch flash in front of the screen. For those who don't know the Breitling Emergency has a distress beacon that when pulled sends search and rescue to your location. It is the coolest thing. Don't pull it for fun though it is a 10k fine to yourself if it isn't an emergency.

The second item is my knife. Even on an hour hike with my daughter I have my knife on as you never know when you may need it. The more you experience in the outdoors the more you appreciate how much you can over come with just a knife.

The third is straight from Man vs Wild because it is my favorite show. I used to carry water proof matches, though now I carry a flint. I have had to practice to get good at it. If Bear Grylls always takes a flint with him into the wild than so will I. It is more fun than water proof matches once you get good at using it.

Apache Trail Canyon

2008-06-09T20:11:00.000-07:00

I just did the Apache Trail Canyon which is the name the guide book a read gave it. It is technically an unnamed canyon that was great. One of the best part of being an unnamed canyon is the we were the only people scrambling lower into the earth. The Apache Trail Canyon is about an hour or so outside of Phoenix.

The canyon didn't require any technical ability with ropes though you had to know how to climb to make your way through. The entrance has a short rappel at a waterfall though you can down climb into the canyon just a feet yards away. A chimney that we supposed to be able to down climb was too sketchy so I found an over hang that was manageable.

Once in the canyon it was great; in and out of pools and scrambling over boulders. A few spots required intermediate climbing ability. Nothing that any person who has climbed before couldn't handle though if you are just a hiker it could be overwhelming.

There was one pool that was over our heads and we had to swim. I always love those.

The only thing that sucked was we ran into another canyon on the way back to the car and had to down climb it and back up the other side to get to the road.