2 Day Intermediate Canyoneering Course
Our 2 Day Intermediate Course is designed to be the next step in becoming a proficient canyoneer. This course teaches the skills necessary to safely descend canyons as part of a group as a competent participant, with the knowledge to recognize and implement safe canyon practices.
Day One is spent in the classroom and in the canyons, reviewing the ground skills necessary for safe canyoneering, including: equipment review and selection, canyon ethics and courtesy, knots, hitches and anchoring; the Canyon Rating System, canyon topography, and weather and flooding.
Day Two is conducted in a canyon environment where the students can implement and perfect on-rope skills, anchoring, problem solving, risk management, and more.
Trip Overview
- Duration: 7 – 8 hours per day
- Drive from Moab: 20 min to 2 hours, canyons depending
- Season: Spring, Summer & Fall
- Max. guide to student ratio: 1:5
- Technical Challenges: Rappels up to 120’, hiking and scrambling up to 5.5
What you can expect to learn
- Canyon Rating System
- Rules, Ethics, Style, Communication and Courtesy
- Specific Gear Choices, Requirements, Use and Care
- Knots, Bends and Hitches
- Reading/interpreting weather forecast and evaluating environmental hazards
- Belaying, Lowering and Hand lines
- Natural, Artificial, Transient & Human Anchors
- Static and Contingency Riggings
- Rope Deployment, Coiling, Bagging and Etiquette
- Rappelling Techniques & On-Rope Skills (Adding Friction Pre-rappel, Mid-rappel, Locking Off, etc)
- Specialized Rappelling Techniques (Hard Starts, Soft Starts, Free-Hanging, Over-Hanging, etc)
- Basic Climbing & Down Climbing Skills (Bridging, Stemming, Partner Assists, Partner Captures, etc)
- Safety-Checking and Basic Self-Rescue
- Intro to Rope Ascension (Mechanical & Improvised)
Skill & Fitness Level
- Beginner athletic skill level
- Previous climbing & rappelling experience recommended but not required
- Must be able to hike up to 5 miles over easy to moderate natural terrain
- Minimum age: 12 years
We provide
- Sandwich
- Snacks (granola bars, peanuts, etc)
- All of the technical gear you will need for canyoneering (see below)
- Transportation from our office to the route and back to our office
What to Bring
- Any personal canyoneering gear you have/use (to be reviewed by your instructor)
- 4 liters drinking water per person, per day
- Sun screen
- Lip balm
- Brimmed hat
- Light long-sleeve shirt (for sun protection or as insulation if temps dictate)
- Sun glasses
- Light rain gear
- Camera
- Extra snacks if you get really hungry, are a growing teenager, or have dietary restrictions or allergies
What you should wear
- Shoes with a soft, flexible sole, such as running shoes or lightweight hiking shoes that you are comfortable possibly getting wet or dirty
- No open-toed sandals, please
- Clothes that are light-weight and loose fitting to allow you flexibility and freedom of movement
- Clothes that are suitable for the season
Pricing
The total for 1, 2, or 3 people is $1,700* for the entire 2 Day Course. Call or email us for pricing for 4 or more people!
*Plus tax
Departure Times
All trips depart from our office at 253 North Main, Moab UT. See location on Google map
- 8:00 am
Please be at our office by 7:45 am to complete any payment or paperwork