Here are a few basic WCCM recommended steps to follow before and during a canyon trip.
1.)T.E.R.M. Time, Energy and Risk Management. Size up your group and your route

2.)Learn about the route, every possible chance to catch up with a group that has been there recently to verify conditions will help.

3.)Know your limitations and make them clear to others before leaving the car park.

4.0Make other peoples business your business. Medical conditions, what their experience levels are, what they are brining as far as group supplies go etc.

5.)Have a plan of action set up in the event that you don’t return when expected. Make the plan known to everyone in the group and with a competent person not going into the canyon who will be responsible for acting on the plan if you do not get back before the time agreed upon. A tip on this type of planning! When you leave instructions with someone that is not going into the canyon with you include ALL of the following. 1. Where you are going, 2. When you plan on being done (include any dinner plans afterward etc.) and 3. Most importantly, exactly what that person is to do once the time has come and gone for your arrival. If you don’t give the later parts of the plan out you may expect to see the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force in your canyon. Its great to be out with the thought of a rescue is right around the corner or a cell phone call away, BUT! Rescues are dangerous, costly and time consuming. In the sport of canyoneering there are routes where there may be no rescue at all! I have seen rescues initiated on issues as simple as darkness setting in or “we were tired” or my favorite, “my partner was going too slow so I left him behind then called in a helicopter to go out and get him”. Bad news for everyone involved.

6.)Leave behind quality work. For many beginners that venture into a canyon the only form of professional training they will receive will be the exposure they have to your anchor system that you choose to leave behind. Don’t add webbing, replace it exactly as it was when you found it. (Unless there is a stuck rope attached!)

7.)Be sensitive to your impact. This not only includes your environmental impact scenarios but, the impact or impression you leave in the minds of those you see including crossing private property, poaching a canyon that is posted closed or no trespassing, the noise level when you are exiting a residential neighborhood etc.

The rock climbing community has had to form a group called the access fund to fight closures of popular climbing areas due to the high volume of climbers. The West Coast Canyoneering Method is designed to be forward looking and forward thinking in its methodology towards training new canyoneer’s and their inner actions with the land managers. Please be aware of what it is that you do as you do it. A well managed canyoneering day should be safe and fun with most of the odds stacked in the favor of the team and the remaining unmanageable risks identified, communicated and surpassed with out getting into harms way. Be safe THEN have fun!
For more information on the WCCM please visit www.alpinets.com/canyoneering

 

www.alpinets.com/canyoneering.html