"Living Waters and Torrential Ravines Course"

Previous canyoning experience is required, together with knowledge of canyon progression techniques and setting up abseil anchors.

Included

• Two days with a qualified professional canyoning guide.
• Initial assistance insurance.
• Shared equipment: ropes, first-aid kit, radio and watertight barrel, among other items.
• Personal equipment: wetsuit, neoprene socks, harness, helmet, safety lanyard and descender, plus one backpack for every two participants.
• Photos of the activity.

Not included

• Accommodation and meals. Contact us for details.
• Transport.

What you need to bring

• Comfortable sports clothing for the mountain walk to the canyon entrance.
• A bag to leave in the car with spare clothes in case yours get wet, a water bottle and food.
• Footwear is important: lace-up shoes with rubber soles and good ankle support, such as canyoning shoes, sports shoes or hiking shoes. Bring a spare pair to change into when you return to the car.
• Swimwear, towel and warm, dry clothes for after the canyon.
• If you wear glasses or contact lenses, bring a suitable way to prevent losing them during the activity.
• Wetsuit.
• Helmet.
• Harness.
• Safety lanyards.
• Descender.
• Carabiners.
• Assorted accessory cords.
• Cord for a Machard friction hitch.
• Haul bag.
• Rope for progression.
• Water-rescue rope.

Equipment we can lend you

• Shared equipment: ropes, first-aid kit, radio and watertight barrel, among other items.
• Personal equipment: wetsuit, neoprene socks, harness, helmet, safety lanyard and descender, plus one backpack for every two participants.
• A watertight barrel if you need to keep belongings dry.

The course is based around Jaca in the Aragonese Pyrenees, where we have classrooms and equipment. Practical sessions take place in the Aragón and Tena valleys, depending on canyon conditions.

Saturday: Leave the Jaca office or agreed meeting point at 09:00 and travel to the practical training area.

Sunday: Meet at 09:00 at the office or agreed meeting point. The course finishes at 15:30.

We start with a brief review of essential canyoning skills: rope work and knots, and the minimum safety and self-rescue equipment.

The main focus is whitewater: understanding water behaviour; basic swimming and movement techniques in flowing and vertical terrain; negotiating obstacles; basic safety; and aquatic rescue.

Specific manoeuvres include guided abseils, passing a rope block, using a backpack as an anchor, redirects, traverse lines, non-verbal communication, hauling systems, equalising anchors and reinforcing existing installations.