Sutherland Bushwalkers

Canyoning is a high risk activity and accidents do occur. Several fatal accidents by people canyoning have been reported by the media in the last few years. Bad weather and flash flooding increase the risks.

Club members who wish to go on canyon trips will need to satisfy the leader that they are capable and, if not, can be refused participation. The club does have a rock and rope practice at varying times or as needed.

Essential Equipment

The club has limited equipment available eg: hard hats (Construction hard hats are not suitable), abseiling racks, carabiners. See the equipment list inn the members area available for free loan to members participating in club activities.

The member must provide their own harness, wetsuit and prussic slings (preferably with double foot loops)/ jumars or similar devices (in case self rescue is necessary), safety sling, flotation gear or a Li-Lo for long sections of deep water (long swims without wetsuits or without adequate flotation gear is dangerous even for strong swimmers). First Aid kit, torch.

Canyoning Grades

The grades below have been adopted from "Canyons Near Sydney" by Rick Jamieson, 4^th edition, available from Paddy Pallin. It is recommended that participants in Canyoning read this book for equipment and safety rules.

Grade	Classification	Description
1	Easy	No abseils or tricky climbs, navigation not too hard.
2	Easy to moderate	Easy abseils, or some tricky climbs.
3	Moderate	Harder abseils, climbs or navigation.
4	Moderate to difficult
5	Difficult
6	Very difficult	Generally long trips in remote areas, with tricky abseils or difficult exit climbs.

The grading of a canyon depends on the following:

Difficulty of navigation, abseil rigging points, arranging the rigging, height, steepness, exposure, exit climb, coldness of the canyon, the length of the trip and number of abseils.

A canyon that is normally easy can become very difficult and dangerous in rainy, wet, cold weather, or with high water.