This canyoneering course includes technical descents of some of the more challenging and beautiful canyons in Utah. It is perfect for students looking for technical skills, adventure and an experience in a beautiful amazing place unlike any other on earth.

Course Area
The canyon lands of Utah is still as desolate, mysterious and beautiful as it was when it was first explored by John Wesley Powell in 1869. It is made up of sandstone and slick rock canyons, rock bridges, pinnacles, buttes, box canyons, ledges and arches. There are deep chasms two feet wide with walls several hundred feet on each side; cathedrals of aged red sandstone and hidden reflection pools.

Course Description
You backpack (with a 50-60 pound pack) four to ten miles a day through the challenging sandstone and slickrock terrain and stop along the way to explore sinuous side canyons and interesting geology. The canyons demand a high level of technical activity just to negotiate the terrain. Instructors begin by teaching the foundational skills such as basic movement over rock, and move on to rock skills (such as stemming and chimneying), rappelling, knot-tying, and rope handling. These skills are put to use on steep slickrock crossings and technical descents as you travel this challenging terrain.

What is Canyoneering?
Using ropes, anchor systems, climbing techniques, and friction devices, you descend the canyon, section by section. Some sections of the descent require team effort to shuttle or lower packs. Sometimes you may need to squeeze by or scramble over boulders lodged in the canyon. It is generally a day long effort to descend a canyon, but it is an incredible experience that you will never want to forget!