Gear List - Aquatic Canyons
The following is a suggested list of gear to be used in aquatic canyons with swift water (Class C according to the North American rating). This takes into account the special considerations of water hazards. Most of this equipment has evolved for the aquatic environment from caving, rather than rock climbing, since the style of progression has similarities to Single Rope Technique (SRT). Although ascending rope is not a frequent necessity, aquatic canyoners must be proficient in negotiating complicated scenarios including traverse lines, deviations, rebelays, and guided rappels with efficiency. This equipment helps canyoners progress on the rope and through the water with safety, efficiency, and comfort.
Personal Equipment[edit]
Standard Kit[edit]
Water treatment[edit]
A lightweight, compact method for treating water for drinking is important, especially for trip durations of more than half a day.
[edit]
Bring your preferred method of navigating the canyon:
- Compass, map of the canyon, and a print-out of the beta
- GPS device
- Smartphone with waterproof case. See Canyoneering apps, MapDownload, and PDFDownload.
Emergency shelter[edit]
Survival blanket, candle, and lighter. The survival blanket is used in the turtle position: sit on the ground with something insulating the bottom from the cold rock if possible, a pack or rope for example. Bring your knees up under your chin and place a lit candle between your buttocks and heels. Drape the survival blanket over your back and head to form a kind of bell to trap the warm air inside. The survival blanket reflects the infrared rays emitted by the body. Convection, conduction, and radiation heat loss are all thus effectively controlled, and you will soon be bathed in sweet warmth. Be careful not to catch the survival blanket on fire. For a group shelter, string a rope across an area and place a few survival blankets over it.[1]
Food[edit]
Canyoning is an intense physical activity, and the body is often working hard to stay warm. It is important to replenish with high-energy nutrition. Bring foods like energy bars, cheese sticks, hard boiled eggs, or a sandwich in a ziplok bag. Some canyoners even bring a thermos with a hot beverage on colder trips. A piece of candy or a hot drink can provide a psychological boost to someone who is cold and tired.
Water bottle[edit]
Nalgene makes inexpensive, robust, wide-mouth bottles out of UVPE/HDPE (#2 plastic), which is slightly flexible and more durable than other rigid plastic water bottles of the same shape. Water bladders are okay but are prone to rupture and hose or valve detachment.
To keep the bottle handy on the approach/exit, clip it to your pack strap with a carabiner. Instead of clipping to the plastic lid tether, which will break, tie a piece of small diameter cordage around the rim with a Poacher's Knot and make a loop knot in the other end for clipping.
Clothing[edit]
Wetsuit[edit]
The wetsuit offers protection from cold water. The thickness should be appropriate for the water temperature, duration of exposure, and personal physiology. Canyoning-specific models are available in Europe from Vade Retro and other manufacturers, and they are constructed of flexible neoprene and reinforced in high-wear areas. Surfing wetsuits offer flexibility and are popular in the United States. Common core (torso) thicknesses are 4 or 5 mm.
Shell jacket[edit]
A rain jacket or paddling jacket can be used over the wetsuit to provide additional protection from wind and water spray.
Balaclava/hood[edit]
A fleece balaclava or neoprene hood is recommended to provide additional cold protection as necessary.
Socks[edit]
Neoprene socks provide cold protection for the feet. Varying thicknesses are available. A thin, not too tall (just above the ankle is good), wool liner sock increases comfort.
Footwear[edit]
There are several good choices in canyoning-specific footwear. Sturdy construction, quick draining, and sticky rubber soles are all qualities of a good canyon boot.
Gloves[edit]
Gloves help protect hands from sharp rocks and vegetation as well as cold. Gloves should provide a bit of insulation without sacrificing dexterity. Synthetic materials are best.
Hiking clothes[edit]
Approach and exit hikes are sometimes lengthy, requiring a separate set of clothing in addition to the wetsuit. In this case, choose lightweight hiking clothing that is appropriate for the conditions. If the hike involves bushwhacking, it may be wise to wear long pants and a long sleeved shirt. These clothes can be placed inside the dry keg once you put on your wetsuit.
Vertical Kit[edit]
Seat Harness[edit]
The seat harness should be UIAA/CE certified. It needn’t have padding, since the wetsuit provides plenty. Most canyoning models have a built-in and replaceable seat protector, which saves on wear-and-tear of the harness and the wetsuit. Since cowstails and a chest ascender are worn, a harness with a convenient method of attaching these items is preferred. A harness with a removable harness attachment point (eg. Petzl Omni), such as the Aventure Verticale Mazerin, handles this problem elegantly. Other harnesses such as the Edelrid Iguazu and Kong Target Canyon have chest ascender attachment options that are almost as good. The lower attachment point of caving harnesses (designed in this manner to maximize efficiency in ascending rope), which feature this attachment system, can present some challenge in staying upright while descending wearing a heavy backpack or getting blasted by a waterfall on the torso. In this instance, the pack shoulder strap can be clipped to the rope above the descender with a carabiner, or the pack can be clipped to the rope and sent down on a zipline.
Descender[edit]
The descender must be lightweight, easy to install/uninstall on the rope without removing from the harness, and capable of adding/subtracting friction. Canyoning-specific descenders are preferred, such as the Petzl PIRANA, Canyonwerks CRITR, and Kong OKA. Some canyoners continue to use classic figure 8 descenders.
The descender is attached to the harness with a carabiner.
- Compatibility: must fit securely onto the canyoning-specific descender, which usually has a rubber grommet that tightly captures the carabiner
- Shape: large HMS (pear-shape) is best; keylock (notchless)
- Gate: for silty environments, a screw lock is best. Petzl recommends their wire lock or twist lock mechanisms for use with the PIRANA.[2]
Figure 8[edit]
A figure 8 descender (full size) is used to create a releasable figure 8 block. It is used in combination with an HMS (pear-shaped) screw-lock carabiner.
Cowstails[edit]
cowstails provide for safe and efficient progression along a handrail, personal attachment at a belay, attachment to the upper ascender while ascending, attachment to the guideline of a guided rappel, attachment to the descender at the entrance to a toboggan, and more.
Upper ascender[edit]
The upper ascender is used for ascending rope and in hauling systems. When used for personal attachment to the rope, it should be connected to the long cowstail. Non-handled models are preferred due to light weight, low bulk, and versatility in hauling systems. When not in use, it is stowed on the harness along with the foot pedal.
Chest ascender[edit]
The chest ascender is used for ascending rope and in hauling systems. It is attached to the attachment point of the seat harness and to the chest harness. If using a seat harness with a removable harness attachment point (i.e. Petzl Omni), the chest ascender can be attached directly. If using a seat harness without a removable MAP (e.g. Petzl Canyon, Edelrid Iguazu, Kong Target Canyon), a maillon rapide must be used to attach the chest ascender, which places it in a higher position that is less efficient when ascending.
Foot loop[edit]
The foot loop is used for ascending and certain rescue maneuvers. It is best made of static, hard-wearing, low absorption cord, and Dyneema is perfect. On one end is a non-locking, asymmetric D carabiner; on the other end is a Bowline on a Bight for placing the feet. See Crazy Caver - Foot Loop for instructions on constructing a foot loop.
Chest harness[edit]
The chest harness aids in rope ascending by pulling the chest ascender up. Many styles exist, but perhaps the most optimal for canyoning is a simple loop of shock (bungee) cord, twisted to form a figure-8 in the back, with the arms placed through the two loops. A small accessory carabiner or maillon rapide is used to attach the two loops to the chest ascender. This eliminates the need to make adjustments at the top and bottom of each rappel, and it also eliminates loose adjustment straps that may get caught. The trade-off is a slight reduction in ascending efficiency. If anticipating a long rope ascent, it may be beneficial to use a chest harness designed for caving.
- Example: 6 mm shock cord
Carabiners[edit]
Each person should carry a minimum three additional screw lock carabiners. HMS (pear shaped) are preferred in most cases, although D shape or oval are also useful.
Emergency haul system[edit]
Carabiner, large HMS, screw-lock + small pulley + small prusik
Knife/shears[edit]
Group Equipment[edit]
Rope[edit]
Semi-static rope is used in aquatic canyons. A popular rope for aquatic canyons in the United States is Sterling C-IV (see Rope comparison). It has a Technora sheath and polypropylene braided core.
Rope bag[edit]
The rope bag facilitates efficient deployment and storage of the rope. Some canyoners, as a matter of personal preference, do not use a separate rope bag and instead simply use the pack. As with the pack, the rope bag should be made of a material that does not absorb water. It should include enough foam to make it float, even with wet rope inside. A bright color is advantageous, as dark colors can easily be lost in low-light conditions.
Emergency throw rope[edit]
Anchor materials[edit]
Webbing[edit]
Bolts and hangers[edit]
Maillon rapides[edit]
Bolt kit[edit]
Medical kit[edit]
At least one member of the team (preferably more) should carry a comprehensive medical kit.
References[edit]
- ↑ Marbach, Georges; Tourte, Bernard (2002). Alpine Caving Techniques: A Complete Guide to Safe and Efficient Caving (3rd Ed.). Allschwil, Switzerland: Speleo Projects. ISBN 3-908495-10-5.
- ↑ Choice of carabiner for attaching the PIRANA to the harness. Petzl Retrieved 21 February 2016.