On our arrival we changed into our gear consisting of wetsuits (the water is pretty cool-even in the summer), Swiss seats (for rappelling), helmets, and life jackets. We then hiked about a 1/2-mile through the wooded mountainside to the entrance of the canyon. Before entering the canyon, the mood changed… this is now serious business. Our guides from Alpinraft (Neil and Remo) went over safety instructions and were very serious about doing exactly what they instruct because people have been injured and killed in these canyons. Suddenly, the sunny skies slipped away to grey, and rolling thunder and a light rain begins. This is also why our guides are intense… They know that flash flooding is a serious concern because water levels can rise and change these canyons in an instant. In fact 23 people died in a flash flood several years ago in a canyon nearby so that's why our guides are really stressing the importance of safety and listening to instructions. Neil has us approach our entry point. We are standing in the middle of a stream that is cascading off a cliff into the canyon below and Neil says, "When you jump off this cliff, you are at the point of no return… The only way out is through the canyon."
Remo jumps off first to demonstrate the technique and then I lined up for my first of dozens of cliff jumps. No time to think about it. Neil shouts "3… 2… 1… Bungy!" and off I go free falling about 35 feet into a pool of water a mere 8 feet deep. Splash! The life jackets help to reduce the impact on the water, and fortunately I remembered to keep my knees bent! Wow, what a rush. Looking up the rocky canyon walls to the top, I cringe as I watch my fiancée jump. She splashes down and comes up smiling… We both just start laughing and are really stoked. In fact, much of the fun is watching your mates. This was just the beginning, and it wasn't even the hardest jump. This canyon is so exciting because there are no breaks in the action and there is so much variety. We would spend the next couple hours jumping off cliffs, doing steep rappels, and streaking down extreme waterslides. One after the other, each task was an adventure within the adventure requiring specific technique to avoid injury. And with each successful jump or slide completed, I would gain more confidence, confidence that you would need to get you through the next one. A few hours later, we scramble our way over the last boulders and down the river, exiting this magnificent canyon pleasantly exhausted, but filled with such exhilaration and a sense of accomplishment. Canyoning is probably one of the most awesome adventures I have ever done… The scenery is so beautiful and the slides, jumps, and rappels are unforgettable.
Warning: Canyoning can be dangerous (and highly addicting) so go at your own risk, and always go with someone experienced. |
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