canyon_admin
02-04-2005, 08:35 PM
Over the past few months a number of people have asked for advice about using the internet for technical advice and canyon beta. It is important to understand the pros and cons.
Three major benefits come to mind. (1) The internet provides a quick, efficient way to tap into a large pool of knowledge, (2) if you ask for information about a canyon, odds are pretty good that you can find someone who has descended the canyon recently, so their beta will be current, and (3) it can be a great way to meet new partners, especially if you are traveling to a new area.
The major shortcoming of the internet stems from the fact that it can be difficult, especially for a beginner, to know whether or not the advice received is valid, accurate and safe. Fortunately, the majority of advice is given with very good intentions. Even then, you need to qualify the advice to determine whether or not it applies to you or your situation.
Some examples:
(1) There are major differences in techniques used for descending different types of canyons. What works for Class A and B sandstone canyons on the Colorado Plateau may not be safe for Class C granite canyons in the Sierras.
(2) Many people have very definite ideas about the best rappelling device. But what works for a 100-pound person using 10mm rope with double rope techniques will not work well for a 250-pound person using 8mm rope with single rope techniques.
You can qualify the advice you receive simply by asking more questions. If you plan to descend Class C canyons, ask the person giving you advice about the Class C canyons they have done. If you plan to descend canyons known to have keeper pothole problems, ask the person about the solutions they've used in similar canyons. If you want advice about descending devices, ask the person about their size and weight, what type of rope they use, the kinds of canyons they do and the rope techniques they use.
FINDING CANYONEERING PARTNERS
Exercise caution when looking for canyoneering partners on the internet. Very few canyoneers possess objective credentials, so you will have to make a subjective decision. Don't take the decision lightly; your life may be in the balance. It is comforting to hear your prospective partner tell stories about all the wonderful times they have had, but it's more revealing to hear stories about their trips that went bad. How did they handle the situation? Did they play an instrumental role in solving the problems? What technical skills do they have that were used in the solution? If they have been tested, you can get some indication of how they will handle problems in the future. If they have never been tested, will they be an asset or a liability to you?
Three major benefits come to mind. (1) The internet provides a quick, efficient way to tap into a large pool of knowledge, (2) if you ask for information about a canyon, odds are pretty good that you can find someone who has descended the canyon recently, so their beta will be current, and (3) it can be a great way to meet new partners, especially if you are traveling to a new area.
The major shortcoming of the internet stems from the fact that it can be difficult, especially for a beginner, to know whether or not the advice received is valid, accurate and safe. Fortunately, the majority of advice is given with very good intentions. Even then, you need to qualify the advice to determine whether or not it applies to you or your situation.
Some examples:
(1) There are major differences in techniques used for descending different types of canyons. What works for Class A and B sandstone canyons on the Colorado Plateau may not be safe for Class C granite canyons in the Sierras.
(2) Many people have very definite ideas about the best rappelling device. But what works for a 100-pound person using 10mm rope with double rope techniques will not work well for a 250-pound person using 8mm rope with single rope techniques.
You can qualify the advice you receive simply by asking more questions. If you plan to descend Class C canyons, ask the person giving you advice about the Class C canyons they have done. If you plan to descend canyons known to have keeper pothole problems, ask the person about the solutions they've used in similar canyons. If you want advice about descending devices, ask the person about their size and weight, what type of rope they use, the kinds of canyons they do and the rope techniques they use.
FINDING CANYONEERING PARTNERS
Exercise caution when looking for canyoneering partners on the internet. Very few canyoneers possess objective credentials, so you will have to make a subjective decision. Don't take the decision lightly; your life may be in the balance. It is comforting to hear your prospective partner tell stories about all the wonderful times they have had, but it's more revealing to hear stories about their trips that went bad. How did they handle the situation? Did they play an instrumental role in solving the problems? What technical skills do they have that were used in the solution? If they have been tested, you can get some indication of how they will handle problems in the future. If they have never been tested, will they be an asset or a liability to you?