Canyoning Ethics

• Do not mark canyon walls with bolts or pitons unless no other belay point can be considered.Almost without exception, canyons can be done without bolts or pitons. The compiler of this page has done a lot of exploratory canyoning and has never been in a party that has carried bolting equipment. This is true of all other canyon explorers that I know. These parties rely on thier skills to improvise a belay point if none seems to exist. This can include throwing down logs to jam in the canyon, digging out a thread belay or tying on an extra rope.

  

  Photo - Recent vandalism part way through Wollangambe Canyon

• If possible use natural belay points such as trees and logs where there is no need to leave slings. Consideration should be given to using a sling if pulling down the rope may leave a scar on a tree. Where necessary use natural fibres such as manilla rope for belay slings in canyons which are seldom visited - so that they will rot away. Nylon slings are more sensible in commonly visited canyons.
• Do not leave fixed rope "handrails" down short waterfalls (as well it is safer for other parties to use their own ropes).
• Do not cause any damage on the route in or out from a canyon. If there is a track use it, but if there is no track then do not make a track. Leave no markers such as cairns at any places.
• The following sites contain excellent sections on ethics and style -
  
• The NPWS Code of Ethics for Canyoning
• Tom Jones has this excellent section in his USA based website on ethics and style and another section commenting on bolting.
• Using alternative anchors by Dave Black
  
• Joe Wrona's comments on bolting found on my canyoning news site are well worth reading. Go to the March 11, 2002 entry
• Tom Brennan has some thoughtful comments on publishing route information here.
  

Photo - The magnificent scuptured walls of Grand Canyon, Blackheath