Advice for a new canyoneer??

[llboyd]

I went canyoning in the summer of 2003 during a backpack trip across Europe. We were in Interlaken, Switzerland and it was one of the most fun things I've ever done. Now that I've graduated college and have some income, I'd love to get serious about it. I've been doing some research, but would love ANY and ALL input that all anyone has that they think might be helpful to a beginner. I'm in Washington D.C., so not that many canyons in this part of the world, but will defnitely try to hit up as many spots as I can anytime I can get away.

I've been a big adventure person all my life, so I'm definitely not new to that portion. I grew up surfing, have climbed quite a few fourteeners, skydived solo, rafted, bungee jumped, mountain biked, some rope climbing, etc. etc. But I'd like to get into this big time.

I'm planning on taking up rock climbing as well, so that will give me some experience with ropes, rapelling, etc. But anything else at all that you think may be helpful. Locations around the US and other countries as well. Must see spots. Anything at all. I'd really appreciate it. Thanks a lot in advance for anyones advice!

[skianddive]

Now that I've graduated college and have some income, I'd love to get serious about it. I've been doing some research, but would love ANY and ALL input that all anyone has that they think might be helpful to a beginner. I'm in Washington D.C., so not that many canyons in this part of the world, but will defnitely try to hit up as many spots as I can anytime I can get away.
I've only been canyoneering for just over a year, but I will try to share some of the experience and knowledge that I've gained in the last 15 months.

Now that you have some income, that must mean you have a job, and if you have a job, you should be accruing vacation time. So, first thing you should do - start saving those vacations days for useful stuff like canyoneering - forget about those trips to Atlantic City and Manhattan!;)



I'm planning on taking up rock climbing as well, so that will give me some experience with ropes, rapelling, etc. But anything else at all that you think may be helpful. Locations around the US and other countries as well. Must see spots. Anything at all. I'd really appreciate it. Thanks a lot in advance for anyones advice!
Rock climbing skills will be useful in canyoneering, but I would suggest that you also take some classes specifically designed for this sport. And as luck would have it, you've come to the right website - the American Canyoneering Association (ACA).

As far as I know, the ACA is the only organization in America that is dedicated to canyoneering training. Browse through the website and look at the courses they offer and the course schedules. The classes are usually taught in Utah or Arizona, with an occasional set taught in California or Washington, so it may involve some traveling for you - and I'm sure you'll hate that. However, you could combine your training with some canyons, as I first did when I took my training in Utah and combined it with a Zion canyon immediately afterwards.

And I'm sure there would also be people in any of these aforementioned states that would love to show you some of their local canyons when you come to visit. The ACA Forum would be a great place to hook up with these people, and if you decided to come to CA, I know I could muster some volunteers here for you.

Unfortunately, the ACA's instructors will soon be going into hibernation for a long winter's nap because none of them live in a climate that supports canyoneering 12 months out of the year (unless you like ice canyoneering), so you may have to wait until spring for the next set of classes - or come out here to SoCal for the October classes.

As far as where the canyons are, all of the states I mentioned have them, so you'll just have to move to one of them. :) Or if you need to stay in D.C. for awhile, why not become a member of the ACA and begin to attend the National and International Rendezvous, held several times a year? The National Rendezvous bring canyoneers together from all over the world to enjoy canyons in some very picturesque places such as Zion and Arizona. And the International Rendezvous are held all over the world in similarly beautiful places once or twice a year (see the ACA Forum for the schedules).

So to summarize my advice - get some specialized canyoneering training from the ACA and begin to hook up with canyoneers on this Forum and at the Rendezvous. And then start to reseach canyons in the Appalachians - there have to be at least a few.

[llboyd]

Wow, great info. I really appreciate that. I do have a job, and I do have vacation time, however, I picked the profession with probably the least vacation time there is, or free time at all for that matter. I'm an investment banker, as it were. Good job, lots of hours. But I am going to make this work, even if I have to lose a lot of sleep, which has been the case recently.

I actually was out in SoCal last week on business, San Diego to be exact. And will probably be returning a few times over the next month or so.

What is the nearest place to San Diego? If my trip coincides near the weekend, i could just stay a few extra days.

Again, i really appreciate your input, great post. I'd love to hear from anyone else as well. I'm a sponge, I'll soak up anything you give me.

Cheers.

[skianddive]

I actually was out in SoCal last week on business, San Diego to be exact. And will probably be returning a few times over the next month or so.

What is the nearest place to San Diego? If my trip coincides near the weekend, i could just stay a few extra days.
You are in luck - there are several canyoneers in the San Diego area - "Kirk", "lucac", and "pookarific, to name a few.

A few of them have been looking, but they have not found any canyons in the San Diego area yet. Consequently, they drive up to the Los Angeles area on weekends to do many of the canyons in the San Gabriel Mountains (see http://www.dankat.com/advents/content.htm for a list and description of them).

I know one of the San Diegans is planning a canyon trip to the LA area on Sunday, September 25th, so if you're going to be in the area, maybe you could hook up. After that, there will be the Zion Rendevous at the end of September, and there will be many people from SoCal making that trip.

So, let me know when/if you're going to be in town, or if you'd like to carpool to Zion, and I'll try to put you in touch with some of the people.

[ndreon]

I know nothing about canyoneering, but I can climb rock. I live just outside of DC and if you would like to see a few good climbs in the area drop me a line. The Billy Goat trail in MD is a good place to practice walking on broken terrain and as a bonus it has some 4th and easy 5th class climbing, some rather tall to get you used to exposure.

Nathan

[llboyd]

Great, thanks for the info everyone.

Skiandive: Are you sure that date is right, July 25th?? Thanks for the info though, I really appreciate it.

NDreon: I would love to see some climbs. I was planning on going to, Rocksport or Sportrock, one or the other, but its an indoor climbing place, and learn some basics. Any thoughts on this?

LB

[Gabryelle]

I know Lee meant to say September 25th. :D

[skianddive]

I know Lee meant to say September 25th. :D
Yes I did, Party Girl. I must have been out partying myself before I wrote that message and entered a time warp. But it is now corrected.

Thanks.

[ndreon]

I am sure those gyms are fine places but the weather right now is too good for indoor climbing. Check your email.

Nathan

[skianddive]

I am sure those gyms are fine places but the weather right now is too good for indoor climbing. Nathan
Not for long! :p

NOTE: By living in SoCal, I am bound by law to make these kinds of snide comments when weather conditions in northern states are mentioned.

[llboyd]

I'm pretty sure I'd do the same thing. But at least my Broncos beat your Chargers!

Go Broncs!

[skianddive]

I'm pretty sure I'd do the same thing. But at least my Broncos beat your Chargers!

Go Broncs!
Los Angeles doesn't have a team, but even if it did, I would still be a Chicago Bears fan!

Unfortunately, the Broncos and Da Bears will not play one another this season, unless hell freezes over and the Broncos make the Superbowl! :p

[llboyd]

I've gotta admit, the Bears look pretty good right now, at least for Chicago. They could forfeit the rest of their games and have a pretty good year, at least for Chicago!