Promoting Safe Practice to Protect Our Canyons Future
Canyon Log has been created to assist recreational and commercial canyoning in the UK. To facilitate its development, we provide free and updated information to the canyoning community, promoting the safe practice of the sport.
Canyon Log needs your help! – Canyons are always changing which means information for them needs to be kept up to date. If you think a page on Canyon Log is wrong or misleading, please use our ‘Log’ page to ensure the information online is updated and kept relevant.
Canyoning
For the most relevant information, Select the category that applies to you.
Novice
If you’re a novice one or more of the following applies: never been in a canyon without a guide, has little or no knowledge of canyoning practices, has no / very little experience in any similar outdoor sports. Interested in finding out more about canyoning.
Skilled
If you’re skilled you may have some experience canyoning without a guide, have some knowledge of the sport or have extensive knowledge of similar sports such as Climbing / Mountaineering / Kayaking / Caving. You would now like to improve your canyoning skills
Experienced
If you are experienced, you should have experience canyoning in multiple canyons in different locations, be able to perform safe rescue techniques, Comfortable leading novice groups down low grade canyons without compromising safety and efficiency.
General
A range of information to better understand the content posted on Canyon Log
Adventure Canyon
Adventure Canyons should include at least two of the following situations:
- An approach with over 30 minuets off track.
- Majority natural or ghosted anchors.
- An approach and exit time total of more than 1.5hrs.
- Uncommon features which may be challenging to overcome.
- Complex anchors required.
Sport Canyon
Sport Canyons should include at least two of the following situations:
- An approach and exit time total of less than 1.5hrs.
- Majority bolted anchors.
- No complex anchors required.
- Total duration is less than 4 hrs.
Gorge Scramble
A Gorge scramble should include at least one of the following situations:
- Can be ascended or descended.
- Majority / all of the journey does not require rope.
- No more than 1 abseil.
These are 3 different styles of canyon, when situations cross over, the most appropriate style will be allocated.
Flood Risk
A subjective assessment of risk based on the likelihood and consequence of a flash flood. The following factors are considered:
Rock Type
The name of bedrock that has formed the majority of the canyon. The type of rock heavily influences the canyons character.
Minimum Ropes
The minimum amount of rope required for a safe descent. Be aware, the minimum rope does not correspond to the highest drop. Best practice is to always carry extra incase rope is damaged during a descent.
Catchment Area
A rough measurement of area that feeds the canyon, also known as watershed. This area usually has a direct impact on water levels. Be aware of the following in large catchments;
Posts
Find answers and discussions to some common canyoning related questions and topics.
Polls
Unbiased ratings of the best gear available for canyoning, As voted for, by our followers on Instagram.
Fun to Effort
Sometimes grades don’t give you the full story, Walk in’s may be too long, Pitches may be dull. The Fun to Effort Ratio is a subjective assessment of a journey created to highlight great canyon trips that may otherwise be overlooked due to its grade. Below is an example of considerations that contribute to a score. The formula is Fun – Effort = Score.
Progression
Developing skills is essential to prevent skill fade and keep up to date with potential changes in practices. When you decide to develop your skills you have the following options.
Qualification
Duration
It can take a long time before you are ready to undertake a qualification due to the prerequisites required.
Cost
The cost will vary depending on qualification. Due to the amount of time required prior to getting qualified this option is more expensive.
Employment
Finding employment in the industry can be much easier with the relevant qualifications.
Skill Fade
If you forget skills you will have to pay for a refresher course.
Online courses
Duration
It can take a long time before you are ready to undertake a qualification due to the prerequisites required.
Cost
The courses can seem expensive however no other costs are incurred and therefore works out much cheeper than qualifications.
Employment
Employers do not recognise online training as you are unable to prove your ability to perform the skills taught.
Skill Fade
Online training course doesn't expire so you are always able to go over content whenever you want.
Coaching
Duration
It can take a long time before you are ready to undertake a qualification due to the prerequisites required.
Cost
The Cost will vary depending on the provider you choose, however they usually work out the roughly the same as online training.
Employment
Employers do not always recognise coaching as the content covered is not standardised.
Skill Fade
If you forget skills you will have to pay for a refresher course.
Canyoning Abroad
Planning a Canyoning holiday? Take a look at these websites to find the information you need. The majority of sites listed below have information for several countries, Websites such as Rope Wiki and Descente canyon contain the most information for canyons around the world. Local websites to the particular country will usually contain the most detailed and updated information therefore it can be worth looking around.