Canyoning in the Alps. Simon Flower

also asymmetrical, reducing the chances of it jamming. Tie two neatly laid overhand knots very close to each other, with a 30cm tail. Warning Do not use a figure-of-8 knot in this situation. It rolls back on itself, and those with short tails can completely undo at loads as low as 50kg.

       At intermediate ledges on multi-pitch abseils, thread the pull-down rope through the next anchor before pulling-through. This limits the chances of the rope getting dropped down the pitch.

      A double overhand knot – a quick and effective method of attaching two ropes together (photo: Simon Flower)

      ABSEILING INTO TURBULENT PLUNGE POOLS

      If abseiling into turbulent plunge-pools, take the following steps to reduce the risks of entanglement and other problems.

       Do not tie stopper-knots in the end of the rope.

       Do not use prusik loops or shunts to control the rate of descent.

       Consider zip-lining tackle-sacs down the abseil rope, rather than abseiling with them.

       Try to release the rope from your abseil device before entering the water or, if this is not possible, swim away into calmer water first.

       If you anticipate submersion, taking three or four deep breaths beforehand will increase the time you can hold your breath.

       Those standing by at the bottom should have a throw-rope ready to pull people out of danger.

Equipment and clothing

      Although canyoning requires relatively little equipment, dedicated canyoning equipment is quite difficult to obtain outside the canyoning regions of mainland Europe. In the UK, although climbing shops suffice for many things, caving shops may be a better source for more canyon-specific items such as semi-static ropes, robust wetsuits and tackle-sacs. A list of UK caving shops that may be useful is included in Appendix B. They may also be able to order things if they don’t have them in store.

      There is a greater selection of canyoning equipment available on the continent. A good place to start is www.expe.fr or www.resurgence.fr, both online shops in France. Canyoning equipment is also available from smaller shops locally. Details of known suppliers are given in each chapter.

      Personal kit

      Clothing

      For the canyon Rivers in the Alps are cold. Some are glacial melt-water. A full wetsuit is therefore required, as close fitting as possible without being too restrictive of movement. Thickness is important, but a snug 3mm wetsuit with no air pockets is infinitely better than a baggy 5mm one. Surfing wetsuits are fine and readily available, but vulnerable to wear and tear. A tough pair of shorts (or a specialised harness – see below) will prolong the life of the seat, while neoprene pads (available from caving or skateboarding shops) are useful for knees and elbows. Caving oversuits can give excellent protection (and additional warmth), but at the expense of freedom of movement.

      Specialist wetsuits are available that have zip-up fronts, fitted hoods and reinforced areas, but these are hard to find in the UK (although you may find something similar in caving shops). Neoprene socks are advised – and the thicker the better. Gloves and neoprene hoods are by no means vital, and the decision to use them will depend on personal preference. Hoods dramatically reduce hearing.

      For the approach walk In general, the less worn the better; you will only end up having to carry it down the canyon. Shorts worn for the walk-in can be used to protect the seat of the wetsuit in the canyon.

      Footwear

      Footwear needs to be light, well made and well draining. Trainers are fine but offer little ankle support, while heavy walking boots provide little grip on account of their inflexibility. Rubber wellingtons are tough, cheap and provide fantastic grip, but don’t drain at all and impede swimming. Specialist canyoning shoes (such as those by Five-Ten, Adidas& & & or Etche) are available in the UK, but most shops normally need to order them in specially.

      Harness

      Any caving or climbing harness is suitable. Caving harnesses are more efficient if you need to prusik and are more durable. A few specialised canyoning harnesses are available in the UK, but again may need to be ordered in. These have a built-in seat protector to help prolong the life of the seat of the wetsuit. Seat protectors compatible with caving harnesses may also be available to buy separately. Check harnesses routinely for signs of wear and tear.

      Descender

      A number of types are available, but none is perfect (see ‘Choosing your descender’, below). Whichever device you choose, know how to lock it off and add friction mid-descent.

      Helmet

      Head injuries may result from slipping on wet rock, rockfall and from being tossed about by the river’s current. Always wear a helmet in alpine canyons.

      Flotation device

      A flotation device, such as those used for white-water kayaking, can provide peace of mind in very wet canyons, although they impede swimming performance.

      Self-rescue and rigging equipment

      How much of this is carried as personal kit and how much is shared between the group as a whole depends on personal preference. Everybody should have some means of ascending the rope, whether prusik loops, lightweight jumaring devices, or full-size jumars used by cavers. A figure-of-8 can be useful for rigging releasable belays (see ‘Canyoning rope techniques’, above) and will double as a spare descender in case one is lost.

      Knife

      Use this for cutting rope or freeing companions should they get trapped under the flow of water. Folding knives are available that clip safely to a karabiner, such as that made by Petzl.

      Cow’s tails (or lanyards)

      These are useful for clipping into the anchors at the top of pitches or traverse lines. A 3m length of 9 or 10mm dynamic rope is sufficient to tie two long cow’s tails. A short cow’s tail is also useful – a quick-draw or similar is recommended.

      Descending into Giumaglio’s more vertical second half (Route 19 in the Ticino region)

      Whistle

      A loud whistle may be useful for communicating over the din of a large waterfall, but it is very annoying for everybody else in the canyon. Use sparingly!

      Group kit

      Rope

      The choice of rope for canyoning is a tricky one. All caving and climbing ropes are safe, but certain types are better suited to canyoning. There are numerous points to consider (see ‘Choosing ropes’, below).

      Security rope

      This is an optional throw-rope, useful in high water conditions for assisting team mates out of white-water hazards. Have it ready to hand rather than stuffed at the bottom of a tackle-sac.

      Tackle-sac with flotation

      A sturdy PVC tackle-sac with many drainage holes (or mesh sides) is essential. In general, standard caving tackle-sacs are not suitable. Without drainage holes bags will be excessively heavy and straps will break under the strain. Tackle-sacs should be big enough to accommodate rope and a flotation device, such as an empty bottle or waterproof drum, which should be secured to the bag by some means.

      Waterproof drums and dry bags

      These are needed to provide flotation