Specialty Course : Introduction to Canyoneering

Description:

This course will introduce students to the tools and techniques of modern canyoneering methods. It consists of two morning instructional sessions and an afternoon “graduation” canyoneering session. A LOT of information will be covered in a short amount of time, so don't consider this a replacement for a full introduction to canyoneering course. The basics will be covered in the most detail, and more advanced techniques will only be introduced/demonstrated. Canyon rescue techniqies will NOT be covered.

Goal:

The goal of this course is for the students to gain enough knowledge of canyoneering to safely participate in (not lead) a LAM technical canyoneering trip.

Cost:

2015 LAM Climbing School graduates: FREE

2015 Zion Canyoneering Trip participants: FREE (included with trip fee)

Other LAM members: $20

Registration:

Send an email to me to register. The course fee (if applicable) will be due on the first day of class.

Volunteer instructors (you know who you are), please send me an email indicating your interest to help teach the course. Your help is very much needed and appreciated!

Prerequisites:

Previous rappelling experience at the level taught in LAM Climbing School. This is not an introduction to rappelling course. It will be assumed that students have at least rappelled double strand as taught in Climbing School, and are comfortable working and making decisions near the edge of a drop.

At a minimum, each student needs a climbing helmet, harness, rappel/belay device, and a tether sling with locking carabiner. Additional gear will be discussed on the first day of class.

 

Dates/Times/Location:

August 1st, 9am-1pm, Kate & Brett Kettering's - 407 Maple Dr. Los Alamos

Bring a camp chair, snacks, drinks, and the gear you need for the class. Rope skills introduced and practiced in a flat/low-angle environment



August 8th, 8:30am-12:30pm, Location TBD

Likely either The Y or Las Conchas. Rope skills practiced in a high-angle/vertical environment.



Canyoneering Mini-trip "graduation" (students pick one date):

August 8th, 1pm-5pm

August 9th, 1pm-5pm

The mini-trips will be descents of either Pajarito Gorge, Potrillo Canyon, or Ancho Springs Canyon.

A sample of the topics that will be covered and/or demonstrated in the class:

## Overview and general knowledge

What is canyoneering?

The ACA canyon rating system

Clothing and other non-technical gear

Technical canyoneering gear

Basic knots, hitches and bends



## Anchors

The common two-bolt setup

BFTs and BFRs

Rock and knot chocks

Dead-man anchors

Meat anchors



## Rigging

Double strand (modified toss-n-go)

Single strand vs double strand

Static blocks (knot, ‘biner)

Contingency Rigging (munter-mule, Figure-8, Jester, ATC, etc.)

Rope pull considerations



## Rappelling Technique

Rigging for rappel with various devices (ATC, Pirana, Totem, no-device)

Adjusting friction (leg ‘biner, Z-rig, Pirana & Totem)

Methods for self-belay

Difficult starts

Locking off