Blanc
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| | Raps:2+, max ↨66ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Optional 2.0km Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Basalt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 20 Dec 2022
"Didnt do the canyon - we instead tried to upclimb it, and arrived at the final rappel. Heavy, heavy rain for several hours. Water muddy and rising. W |
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| Best season: | Any, AVOID rains
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15.3193, -61.3388
15.3165, -61.3320
15.3182, -61.3385
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Introduction[edit]
Blanc is a short but sweet canyon that is unique because it goes through hot springs and smoldering sulfur vents. The water in the canyon is a normal creek temperature for Dominica, but multiple parts of the walls of the canyon have small, bubbling vents of extremely hot water - watch where you step!
While short, the canyon is fun, and ideal for a 'rest day' on a longer canyoneering trip in Dominica.
Approach[edit]
The approach is simple. Park at or near the GPX-marked area, as shown in the photo.
Follow the gpx track up the road, and turn left at the end, down a driveway. Quickly turn right into the bushes on a very easy-to-follow trail going down.
This trail comes to the river, and turns left going down along the river.
On arrival at the river, it's a good place to put on harnesses to start the descent.
Descent[edit]
The descent has not been down since prior to Hurricane Maria in 2017, which radically altered the canyon. There are now at least two rappels, both of which need to be bolted. What lies between the rappels remains unknown.
Up until the first rappel ,there is a pretty section of narrow slot, a few tricky downclimbs, and mostly shallow wading.
The next party down needs a bolt kit to proceed.
Exit[edit]
After the last rappel, follow the stream down until the slot opens. There is a lot of annoying boulder hopping.
The slot will open, and there will be hot sulphur vents on the banks. Watch your step!
Soon, you will see a blue shack on the left with a tourist hot tub. Exit here. Follow the very short trail up to your car.
Red tape[edit]
No red tape.
Beta sites[edit]
Descente-Canyon.com : Blanc- An Kanion La-madinina : River Blanc
- An Kanion La-madinina : River Blanc [D-10]
Trip reports and media[edit]
Background[edit]
The canyon was likely first descended by French canyoneers in the 2000s. They noted one rappel.
However, Hurricane Maria in 2017 sent enormous floods through the slot, which destroyed anchors and rolled house-sized boulders, creating new obstacles. Beta published by the French prior to Hurricane Maria is thus no longer valid.
Like all canyons in hurricane zones, canyons can change after major floods, and teams should go prepared.