Seven Teacups Gear and Experience Suggestions
Seven Teacups is a Class C canyon in the southern Sierra Nevada mountain range within a few hours drive of Los Angeles. It's often referred to as a "beginner Class C" canyon due to it's short length, and small jumps and rappels. Unfortunately "beginner" may not be the right word since deadly hazards exist in and around the canyon. This page attempts to make the risk decision matrix more discrete.
While some canyoneers come from other backgrounds which involve risk management like motorsport, scuba, or air sports, many participants have not yet built the skills necessarily to evaluate their personal risk. New canyoneers entering their first swiftwater canyon will be confronted with dangerous decisions which they aren't yet prepared to make. A very common "heuristic trap" is being invited to Seven Teacups by someone of greater perceived experience. This person may or may not have the experience necessary to lead the trip, or understand that their group is unprepared. Also, the endorsement of being invited on the trip may encourage the participant to believe they're ready.
While unprepared people wearing sneakers and lacking a wetsuit have completed the canyon, they have done so with a very small safety margin. According to the below criteria their risk level was unacceptably high. This page attempts to help these less experienced participants understand their decisions.
Deviating from any of the below suggestions, will significantly increase your assumed risk in this canyon:
Contents
The Prepared Follower[edit]
Training[edit]
- SRT rappelling, lockoff, ascent, changeovers, contingency rigging
- Wilderness First Aid
- Defensive river swimming, Lap swimming in pool for an hour.
- Cliff jumping water-entry training
Experience[edit]
- Completed at least eight different Class A or B canyons, preferably high B like Eaton in spring.
- Rigged and served as the last person to rappel and pull rope for least 10 anchors
- No hesitation with cliff jumping more than 15 feet
- Ability to operate a contingency anchor
Gear[edit]
- Harness, tether, contingency rigging gear
- Class C appropriate rappel device (ATS, Critr2, Piranha, Totem)
- 3-5mm full wetsuit, 5mm neoprene socks, neoprene paddling gloves
- Loud whistle, attached to helmet and understanding of whistle commands
- Canyoneering shoes (Adidas HydroPro, 5.10 Canyoneer, or Bestard Canyon Guide)
- Canyon specific backpack (Rodcle, Imlay), Canyon keg
- Canyon specific rope, in canyon specific rope bag (Bluewater, Imlay)
The Prepared Leader[edit]
Assuming a group of not less than 4 canyoneers
Training[edit]
- Swiftwater Rescue training
- Canyon Rescue training
- College swimming, or swimming with a Master's team
- Current WFR
Experience[edit]
- Followed at least 4 Class C canyons
- Mock lead at least 2 Class C canyons including Seven Teacups
Gear[edit]
- First aid
- System for providing warmth to injured person
- Emergency satellite messenger
- Rescue gear (Pulleys, VT, extra carabiners)
- Throw rope
