Introduction

Canyoning is an outdoor adventure activity that typically involves bushwalking, swimming, wading, abseiling, and rock scrambling techniques in order to negotiate a diverse range of river and creek systems. Canyoning is an important component of the UBMBC activity program. As with all club activities, safety of participants is of paramount importance.

Canyons Overview

The terrain and features of Canyons vary widely and can include:

• Deep, narrow gorges with waterfalls, tunnels, passages and cave-like formations.
• Open face waterfalls, pools, boulders, escarpments and exposed cliff-line.
• River features may include dry creek beds as well as dark, deep, cold and narrow sections that require swimming and wading. Occasionally underwater swimming may be required.
• Canyon features may cause fast moving water where serious hazards can develop.
• Some canyons require abseiling and/or rock scrambling while others do not.

In NSW, Canyoning is primarily conducted in the Blue Mountains region with most canyons within areas managed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service as National Parks and Wilderness areas.

Canyoning Participants

Because of the challenges involved, canyoning participants are required to apply a range of activity skills and techniques including bushwalking, abseiling, swimming, wading, rock scrambling and floatation. Canyoning often occurs in rugged terrain and requires a high level of fitness, agility, endurance and a team-oriented approach.

All participants and those considering joining the canyoning program must have previous canyoning/abseiling experience or have completed the beginner abseiling course conducted regularly by the club. The leader always has the discretion to approve or disapprove of any member joining a canyon activity if he/she has concerns about competency or suitability. In joining or renewing membership with UBMBC, participants have activated the canyon waiver and in so doing accept the risks associated with the activity.

Guidelines for Canyon Leaders

The guidelines for canyon leaders are grouped under three headings that cover what to do before, during and after the canyon. The guidelines are then separated to cover wet, dry and abseiling canyons. These guidelines are applied in conjunction with Guidelines for Walk Leaders as well as our Guidelines for Walkers and Guidelines for Canyoners. Hence, some overlap may occur but repetition is preferrable to omission.

Wet canyons present more challenges than dry ones, especially when wet canyons are combined with abseiling. Water can behave differently according to the characteristics of the canyon hence more planning and risk assessment is required for wet canyons. The following guidelines encompass what a leader will typically do before, during and after leading a canyon

Before leading a canyon

• Refer to Guidelines for Walk Leaders on the club website as most canyons also involve walks.
• All trips approved by the Walks Secretary are advertised through UBMBC advising grading, location, duration, potential hazards and skills/experience required.
• On the day before the activity email late-returns-ubmbc@googlegroups.com with the names of the people on your activity. If the walk is delayed, the committee is then able to answer enquiries. Make sure a contact person is aware of the route you are taking and the expected return time. An updated email is required to late returns if there are any changes to participants or if the activity is cancelled.
• Check for park/area closures through NPWS, State or local government that may have occurred since the canyon was added to the program.
• Screen the prospective participants prior to approval for the skills and competency to complete the particular canyon.
• Conduct a risk assessment as outlined in the club Risk Management Plan.

When leading a canyon

After the Canyon

• Check that all participants have returned safely and email Late Returns to inform the club committee that the group has finished the canyon
• If, after the activity, if there were any changes to trip participants, or if it was cancelled, please include these amendments in the late returns email
• Email a scan or photo of any temporary membership forms to the Walks Recorder, Geoff Fox.
• Conduct a short debrief where participants have opportunity to provide feedback on the activity.
• Remind participants to pay their contribution for the use of the ropes and/or travel expenses where relevant.
• Clean all ropes used and check for any damage or fraying.

Canyon Gradings

Grading canyons is challenging and often subjective as it depends on a number of varying factors, some or all of which may be present. The five key factors are listed below. Canyon leaders decide the grading of the canyon, taking into account such factors as:

• Access. Includes the distance to and from the canyon, the type of terrain and the navigational challenges.
• Duration. Is mainly determined by the number of abseils and the length of the canyon but is influenced by all the other factors.
• Technical difficulty. Relates to the abseiling component as determined by set ups, starts, sharp edges, overhangs, slippery surfaces and exposure.
• Hydrology. Refers to the amount and strength of the flow, the type of swimming or wading involved and the water temperature.
• Volatility. Weather conditions such as floods or bushfires may have caused rock falls, blockages or obstacles that may require new anchors, additional abseils or alternate routes

The Walks Secretary may change the grading of the canyon following discussion with the canyon leader.

Canyon Grading Scale

Grade 1:

Easy

Grade 2:

Easy to Moderate

Grade 3:

Moderate

Grade 4:

Moderate to Difficult

Grade 5:

Difficult

Grade 6:

Very Difficult