Saut Gendarme
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| | Raps:7, max ↨66ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:Optional 2 km Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Basalt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 24 Dec 2022
"Small flow until the last two rappels, where getting soaked was mandatory and fun! All anchors in great shape. Very short route. |
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| Best season: | Anytime
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14.7219, -61.1007
14.7277, -61.1018
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Waterflow
Introduction
Saut Gendarme is one of the smallest and easiest 'canyons' on Martinique. It's not really a canyon; it's more of a stream with a few waterfalls that can be rappelled.
While small and underwhelming, in general, it's still pretty and can make for a few good hours of fun. It should not be prioritized over most other canyons. Experienced canyoneers will likely finish the descent wondering if there was a better canyon they could have chosen.
Approach
A car shuttle is optional and not really recommended, as there is no longer anywhere to park at the start of the route. Park at the location on the gpx map on this page, or nearby, and walk up the road for a kilometer to the trailhead, which is a nondescript path into the forest.
The trail winds down the slope steeply for a few minutes. It can be muddy, but is very easy to follow. You will quickly arrive at the first rappel, which is a good place to suit up.
Descent
The first rappel is around 8 meters off a cable that someone made a lot of effort to fix to the trees.
After the first rappel, start walking down the tiny creek. After some rock-hopping, the flow slowly increases and you arrive at the next rappel.
R2 and onwards all have excellent bolted anchors. There are occasional small, shallow pools between rappels.
The route gets better as it progresses.
The last rappel is a short traverse line out to a 10-meter rappel into a shallow pool. Onlookers may be present, as this is a picnic area where the canyon ends.
Exit
The last rappel puts you at a picnic area, where there is an obvious trail of about 100 meters going up to the road where you parked.
Red tape
No red tape.
Beta sites
-
Descente-Canyon.com : Saut Gendarme -
Icopro.org : Cascade de Saut Gendarme - An Kanion La-madinina : Saut du Gendarme
- Mur d'Eau Caraibe : Saut du gendarme
- An Kanion La-madinina : Saut Gendarme (Rivière Séche) [PC-14]
- LukasEddy.com : Canyons of Martinique
Trip reports and media
Background
This canyon was first descended perhaps in the 1990's. In the current day, it may occasionally be descended by guided groups, or canyoning courses.
