Conditions:Mordor Canyon-20210310180731

Latest:	5 Mar 2021 (4 yrs, 3 mos ago)

Reported by:	Michelle (60 reports)
Quality:	Amazing
Waterflow:	Moderate Low
Wetsuit:	Thin wetsuit
Water temperature:
Difficulty:	Normal
Time:	7 hours

Team: 6 people with experience level Intermediate to Expert

Trip report URL:

Comments: What an absolutely amazing experience. The incredibly blue water, all the jumps, 14 rappels!! Starting high in the bleak landscape but the jungle quickly coming back in on the sides. This canyon is a true gem amongst others. We brought 7mm cord to replace the R1 anchor, but didn't replace it as the canyon was done within the week by another group, although we did do a meat anchor backup for everyone. Another group of 6 canyoneer locals caught up to us at the start. We started walking from the cars at 6:30am and were at the top in 1h45m. The weather was sunny all day with no clouds. Can't recommend this one enough. The sulfuric acid in the air at the top added some spice to the trip, so wouldn't want to do this canyon every day, but definitely a must-do in Costa Rica.

All condition reports

Date	Quality	Waterflow	Wetsuit	Difficulty	Time	Team	Reported by
19 Mar 2024	Amazing	Moderate Low	Thin wetsuit	Normal	9 hours	4 people Intermediate to Advanced	Morban (5 reports)
Comment: We combined with mordor medio and the time reflects both. This canyon is absolutely beautiful. The water is extremely blue and clear. There are multiple beautiful jumps from 3-10m. We started walking from the cars at around 5:30am and took our time on the hike and the descent to enjoy the beauty around us. Replaced some anchors and quicklinks that looked a little worse for wear. Plan for 6-9 hours depending on group size and speed.
24 Feb 2024	Great	Moderate	Full wetsuit	Normal	7 hours	4 people	Nclegg (409 reports)
Comment: Incredible canyon. Time reflects Mordor and Mordor Medio.
7 Jan 2024	Amazing	Moderate Low	Full wetsuit	Normal	9 days	8 people Expert	Reiternick (36 reports)
Comment: World class canyon. Alot the anchors are questionable from acid causing rust and degrading cord, we just used a meat anchor to back them up for the first few people. At some point, someone will need to bring a bolt cutter to remove a lot of the rusty quick links.
20 Mar 2023				Normal		3 people	Alex.arnold (1 reports)
Comment: We did 2 Towers and Mordor. So you have all the 4 parts which are different. The upper upper starts at 2250m under the volacano. the upper ist surely the most beautiful part where middle and lower are more discontinuous. The approach would be easy if you always stay on the big good paths. We got lost in the beginning in the morning at 4am. Instead of 3h it took us 4 to arrive at the start. The canyon itself was good equipped, just the upper upper part is a bit instable and the rockfall/landslide risk is not 0. The whole canyon took us with a good speed 5h including a break. Calculate with 6-8h for the canyon.
16 Mar 2023	Great	Moderate	Thin wetsuit	Normal	9 hours	6 people Intermediate to Advanced	K arc (376 reports),Coops (121 reports),Cheveran (92 reports)
Comment: Combined upper & middle in a single day. Started hiking from cars at 5am. Reached upper drop-in at 7am. Reached the upper exit around 11:30am. Hiked alongside the river for a few minutes before dropping back into the middle section. Reached bridge at end of middle mordor at 1:30pm. Back at the cars for 2:15pm. Ran with local guides Tony & George. Water is colder here than other canyons in the region. Most of our team wore 4:3 wetsuits without additional thermal protection, but one person was happy to add a rain jacket. We replaced R1 & R3 v-thread material (bright green cord).
1 Feb 2023	Amazing	Moderate Low	Full wetsuit	Normal	8 hours	3 people Advanced	Johnbcaves (160 reports),Donwolfkonecny (9 reports)
Comment: Drove up road some (dropped off), left car at 7:30. Dropped in around 10am. We finished (Upper) Mordor at 1pm or so, then walked around the creek and did Mordor Medio, which we exited at 3:15pm. The water in Mordor is definitely chilly. It's not hard to do both canyons in one day (as a small, fast group). Luckily we went with a local, Tony, who guides hikes to Poas and elsewhere and is a solid canyoneer.
5 Mar 2021	Amazing	Moderate Low	Thin wetsuit	Normal	7 hours	6 people Intermediate to Expert	Michelle (60 reports)
Comment: What an absolutely amazing experience. The incredibly blue water, all the jumps, 14 rappels!! Starting high in the bleak landscape but the jungle quickly coming back in on the sides. This canyon is a true gem amongst others. We brought 7mm cord to replace the R1 anchor, but didn't replace it as the canyon was done within the week by another group, although we did do a meat anchor backup for everyone. Another group of 6 canyoneer locals caught up to us at the start. We started walking from the cars at 6:30am and were at the top in 1h45m. The weather was sunny all day with no clouds. Can't recommend this one enough. The sulfuric acid in the air at the top added some spice to the trip, so wouldn't want to do this canyon every day, but definitely a must-do in Costa Rica.
2 Dec 2019 Trip report	Amazing	Low	Thick wetsuit	Normal	10 hours	2 people	Felixrulz (76 reports),Fernando (21 reports)
Comment: Replaced the cord on one of the first anchors. Replaced all anchors in the entrance ck before the cañón proper. Many of the mallions badly corroded. Replaced all 4 in entrance ck. Some in the main drainage. You can jump or bypass several of the pitches. The belly of the beast section was great! My favourite route in Costa Rica thus far.