Have you heard about Canyoning and feel like this is the sport for you!? Whether you have
already had a few experiences or if you had no experience at all, this is the course for you.
Our Intro to Canyoning is the first level of our Canyoning program. The focus will be to immerse
you in a brand new environment and make you a competent participant on trips in canyons up
to grade 3CII (American grading system). You will also gain an understanding of the
environmental ethics and codes of conduct we abide by.
Start off on the right foot with professional instructors certified through the main association in
North America.
The course will meet at 8:00am at the Coral Creek White Goat Staging Area across from Abraham Lake. There will be a focus on the differences between canyoning and climbing and will cover the following:
Canyon specific gear
Canyon specific rigging
Other techniques used for descent (safe downclimbing, slides, jumps, etc.)
Group dynamics
Risks and hazard mitigation
Environmental impact mitigation
Saturday AM
Meet at camp
Presentation of gear
Guided trip through a canyon in the Abraham lake area
Canyon trip in a different canyon depending on conditions. Students will rig under supervision of instructors
Debrief
Prerequisites
Participants must be able to tie a figure 8, overhand knot, munter hitch, clove hitch, mule knot, barrel knot, and one type of self stopping hitch such as a prussik hitch.
Participants must be able to swim 50m unassisted in still water
Participants must be able to climb 4th class terrain
Participants must be able to provide a top rope belay.
About Guillame:
Guillame Coupier is an American Canyoneering Association pro-guide, a Canyon Guide International Level 3 Guide and Instructor, a level 3 Swiftwater Rescue Technician, and Advanced wilderness First Aider, and a Rope Access Technician Level 1 (French System). Other instructors and guides will join depending on # of participants.
Participants must be approved in order to sign up. Once you have registered for the wait list send a confirmation that you meet the pre-requisites outlined above to foxycanuck@gmail.com. Upon completion you will be approved to register at which time you will be able to pay for the course. Registration is not guaranteed until you have paid.
Required Items to Bring:
climbing helment
3 locking biners
1 prussic cord
2 meters of dynamic rope
Close toed shoes with good grip that can get wet (approach shoes, runners, light hikers)
NB No mountaineering or stiff hiking boots
Rain jacket or hard shell
5mm (minimum) wetsuit, or drysuit (this can be rented through Banff Canyoning if you don't have one)
Food/water for each day
Pen and small notebook
Small amount of toilet paper and hand sanitizer
If you are missing some of the gear Banff Canyoning may be able to assist
Participants are responsible for their own lodging. Our guides will be camping at the Cline and will have a wall tent with wood stove, and outdoor propane fire pit with tarps. Students are welcome to camp with them. Please bring your own camping gear. There are also several other crown land camping sites nearby, Shunda Creek Hostel in Nordegg and The Crossing Resort (they have great fall specials) at Saskatchewan River Crossing.
Hazards:
Rockfall - can be cause by natural forces or people travelling through the terrain. Impact from falling rock can result in injury or death, or damage equipment such as ropes. ACA-GCI certified guides have experience and training to manage the risk. Helmets are non-negotiable
Water - cold water runs in the canyons and requires specific skills and gear to mitigate risk. Hypothermia, drowning, flash floods, falling from height, and getting pinned by moving water are all risks. Risk is mitigated by wearing at least a 5mm wetsuit or a drysuit. Participants must know how to swim. Instructors are certified swiftwater rescue technicians. Multiple canyon options allow for site assessment and selection to minimize risk.
Vertical, uneven, and unstable terrain. Canyons are vertical and dynamic environments. The ground can be uneven, and waterfalls and other obstacles of various heights are encountered. Slips, trips, and falls may cause injury or death. Walking slowly and carefully with 3 points of contact reduces risk. Ropes are used for descent. Teamwork and situational awareness reduce risk.
Human and equipment failure. Instructors, students, and equipment can fail resulting in injuries, falling from height, getting lost, or drowning. Instructors are highly trained and the instructor/student ratio is appropriate. Students are screened to meet prerequisites. Gear is monitored and replaced when needed. Communication is used throughout to reduce risk.
Flora and fauna. Wildlife may pose a risk, and the water in creeks isn't necessarily safe to drink. Wildlife encounters may cause injury or death. Water borne illness or infection are possible. Instructors carry bear spray, and the group travels together. Drinkable water will be on site. Participants are warned not to drink creek water or eat wild plants.
Weather. Hypo or hyperthermia, as well as electrocution from thunderstorms are risks. The forecast is monitored carefully, students should come well dressed for changing conditions, and alternative training spots are available for very rainy or sunny conditions.
Committing environment. Canyons with steep walls make moving downstream the only possible exit when ropes are pulled. This can mean being stuck for a significant period of time with no means of direct communication with rescue teams, and a risk of hypothermia. The committing environment can make minor injuries more significant. Instructors are highly trained for the canyons on the course, can use escape ropes, rig for escape when committed in canyons, and carry first aid and signal devices.
No cancellations. If the trip is full and you cancel we may be able to find a sub to take your place but this is not guaranteed. Substitution is not possible unless the trip is full.
*Cancellation Policy*: If a participant is unable to attend a paid course or trip, there will be no refund unless the participant finds a suitable replacement that is acceptable to the trip coordinator. Acceptable waiting list candidates will have priority. It will then be the participant's responsibility to recover funds from the replacement. If the coordinator cancels an event, participants get a refund (less any non-recoverable costs). Note that ACC National does not refund hut fees due to weather, delay, closures, or any other reasons. The Calgary Section of the ACC is a not for profit club and we only charge attendees what it costs us to provide courses or trips.
Trip Feedback If you have any feedback, positive or negative, concerning this trip or any other, we want to hear from you!
Click here to be directed to our "Contact Us" page and contact the appropriate Chair person or the Section Chair. This is also a simple way to make your section executive aware of any praises, suggestions or problems you may have with any area of the Calgary Section of the ACC.
Thank you for your response.
Registration for this event closed on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 06:26 PM.
