Canyoning Safety

Photo - Bob Sault with a complete set of equipment for canyoning

• In canyons such as Claustral Canyon which are very popular in the middle of summer - make sure that all members of the party have their own set of abseiling gear and can get on and off ropes quickly. The waterfalls should be rigged up quickly to minimise delays in parties following yours.
• Over the years, belay points in canyons change, Be prepared for the unexpected. Carry lots of rope and sling. It is useful to have a high grade rock climber in the party to force a way out if needed.
• An experienced person should set up the ropes and be the first down any abseil. Be very careful that there are no tangles or knots in the rope when descending over an overhang. The last person down a drop should also be experienced and make sure that there are no twists in the two strands. Before they descend, the rope can be tested to see if it starts to pull down easily. Whilst abseiling keep long hair and loose clothing well away from brake bars and karabiners. A snag could prove fatal.
• A EDK (Euro death knot - or overhand knot) should be used to tie two ropes together for double rope abseils.
• For very long abseils - be very careful if you tie ropes togther. Never try and abseil over a knot unless you have the right equipment for this and have practised.
• Flash floods can occur in canyons. On one trip a few years back we stopped for lunch under an overhang as storm clouds were threatening. We dithered over whether to boil up a third billy of tea - luckily we did as shortly a hail storm started and within a few minutes the canyon was a boiling maelstrom of water 3 or 4 metres high. From where we had tarried, we could retreat up the wall to a safe level. If we had gone downstream to where the canyon narrowed we would have been in very grave difficulties. These sort of flash floods have to be seen to be believed. Always be very cautious in venturing down a canyon when thunderstorms threaten. It may be OK to proceed if you know the canyon well and know where there are escape points.
• Waterjumps in canyons can be fun but they can also be very dangerous. Some waterjumps are compulsory as there may be no belay points for an abseil rope or handline. Always jump carefully. The first person should check for rocks and submerged logs. Sometimes, the first person down can go down on a rope and check the water. Some waterjumps such as those in Claustral Canyon and Twister Canyon can be partly downclimbed.
• Becoming Benighted. It is not too rare for a canyoning party to take longer through a canyon than they expect and to find themselves benighted. This may be due to delays at abseil points, slow party members or waiting for a flash flood to subside. What should you do? Possibilities include continuing on if you are experienced at walking at night - a torch (head torches are best - those using Leds are cheap and very compact) is often worth carrying on a day canyoning trips. Always carry matches or firelighting gear - a fire can make a cold night without a sleeping bag a lot more bearable.

   

Photo - A three metre flash flood in Wollangambe Canyon - this is the first pool of the "tourist section" where most people normally blow up their lilos and start paddling through the first pool. Viewed from the north side - we could not cross back to the south side for a few hours.

 
• Hypothermia can be a problem for some party members. Waiting in cold water for an abseil can make party members very cold. A fit, fast moving party will be more likely to avoid hypothermia. Canyons are very cold places - if you don't have a wetsuit, make sure you have thermal clothing or at least a tight weave woollen jumper or woollen singlets. A short parka or sprayjacket can also help. If a party member becomes too cold in a canyon - do not proceed where there are swims (unless an easy exit is very close). It may be better to stop and light a fire to warm up. I would not advise stoping if you cannot light a fire or there is not warm sunlight. In canyons people get cold mainly from immersion in cold water. A lilo can keep a person much warmer. Another possibility is to float backwards on your pack as you swim - most packs are fairly buoyant. This is very practicable for weekend canyoning trips when you are carrying a full pack.

Above - flash flood in Bungleboori Creek (North Branch). The water rose 3-4 metres in a matter of about 10 minutes. The waterfall coming into the canyon is one of many that started up every 20m or so along the side of the canyon.

Above - Hail in Rocky Creek. Beware - Hail storms are relatively common in the Blue Mountains and can cause considerable waterlevel rises in a short period of time. Photo coutesy of Craig and Mandy Flynn.