Over the last 15 years, the sport of Canyoneering has really caught on. I have done a little canyoneering, but usually I spend my leisure time on the sides of mountains (rock climbing). Canyoneering is a great sport, with lots of adventure ... combining exploring, climbing, rappelling, and adventure swimming.

However, the new sport is claiming lives. At first blush - it wouldn't seem that hiking down a canyon could really be all that complicated. But serious canyon exploring involves a myriad of dangers.

This first link gives various info about Canyons, but if you want to enjoy some "close encounter" stories ... go down to the Section titled "Recent Accounts". It is eye-opening - what can go wrong in these remote canyons.

See RECENT ACCOUNTS to get an idea of the dangers ...

http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?24485-Canyoneering-Links

The second story got a lot of attention from the press, when 7 canyon explorers were killed in a flash flood. What the media did NOT explain ... is that some of these people were experienced, and they were watching the weather very closely. But they still drowned in Keyhole Canyon - due to unexpected flash floods from a nearby thunderstorm.

The news link shows a group photo of the canyon explorers before their outing - really a tragic reminder about the terrible loss - when you are in the wrong place at the wrong time.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/searchers-find-final-missing-person-in-zion-national-park/

Pete

For those unacquainted with the desert southwest, flash floods are quite remarkable. The slot canyons of Zion NP and the surrounding region heighten the hazard of tumultuous flooding.

The recent tragedy involves a deputy (and his wife) from my local county who was clearly no novice. What is odd is the timing of their trip- picking up their permits early in the morning, but not starting down the canyon until 3:30 PM. If nothing else, they were risking problems with darkness if any complications developed.

The most intricate SAR operation in my experience was a flash flood which plowed through a popular party/hang out spot (Tanque Verde Falls) in June, 1981. We were already responding a fairly routine fall incident when the flood occurred - not a cloud in sight. When we counted heads as people came out of the canyon, there were seven missing. We recovered one body that evening, and spent the rest of the week recovering the rest.

Sty out of narrow canyons when there is the possibility of rain, and be ready to spend the night - and count your lucky stars if that is all you do....

I have seen one up close, and it is an amazing display of raw power. Like the Grand Canyon, hearing about it and looking at pictures can't convey the reality of a flash flood in a canyon.

I was thinking about it - trying to figure out. what is really going wrong here .. in terms of preventable things that can be done.

First off, there's no doubt that a LOT more people are going into these canyons. It is attracting a lot of people, including people with a wide range of experience.

One of the big problems ... basically you need to rappel down into the mouth of the canyon. Once people finish the rappel, and pull the rope down - they are completely at the mercy of the canyon and the weather. It can be very tough to get out again. There are few places where the canyon walls are climbable.

Also, communication with the outside world is nonexistent inside the canyon. So there's no way to get weather updates when you are underway .. no way to even see approaching thunderstorms until they are on top of you.

Overall - it can be a pretty risky set of circumstances.

ONE Positive Idea did occur to me.
If these canyoneering groups designate a couple of people as "standby rescuers" ... then their chances of survival are improved. For example, you've got a group of 7 people. Five people get the opportunity to explore the canyon, and rappel down. But two people remain on high ground, with extra ropes and gear for placing anchors. The two people on top follow the progress of the group below, but they stay on the rim. If anything goes wrong, they lower ropes to the group in the canyon. Then so long as all the exploring party has ascenders (for rope climbing) - they have an opportunity to escape the canyon if need be. It's not a foolproof system, but it's better than what people are doing now.

cheers,
dT

That is a good idea with only one drawback; it isn't feasible in most terrain. You rarely, if ever, encounter a situation where the rim is readily accessible at the spot where an emergency occurs. In a flash flood, the "rescuers" perhaps would have been aware of the forecast - where would they have lowered their ropes, assuming they had enough rope (rather unlikely).

Even then, you have one rope and seven in the party to climb out. This takes time, which is what you don't have in a flash flood situation. None of the discussions of canyoneering equipment mention ascending equipment, necessary if you are going to use the rope.

My question about their rather odd late start was answered by today's article in the LA Times - they had taken a five hour class in the morning, hence their afternoon trip in what is evidently regarded as a basic, beginning excursion. They were just quick enough to miss the upgraded alerts issued by the weather folks.

Here is an article which portrays the upside of canyoneering, leaving out the nasty bits concerning flash floods - http://articles.latimes.com/2013/may/13/travel/la-tr-utah-canyoneering-20130513

The basic issue I have with canyoneering is that it involves rappelling - an activity which does not require particular strength or agility since gravity is your friend. Rappelling does have hazards and statistically, is just as dangerous as leading a pitch in rock climbing. Like any activity, approach canyoneering with an understanding of the potential hazards and thee necessary safeguards, including the timing of your enterprise.

I can only quote the French mountaineer Gaston Rebuffat -"You will never regret beginning too early, you will always regret leaving too late" - especially when there are clouds in the sky and rain in the forecast and you are planning a trip through one of Nature's funnel systems (watersheds).

" can only quote the French mountaineer Gaston Rebuffat -"You will never regret beginning too early, you will always regret leaving too late" "

A lot of truth in those words.
I can remember so many times when I was in the mountains, I was up at 4am. sometimes 3am. make some quick coffee, eat a snack, check gear and GO!! Moving in the darkness - before sunrise.

You have a good point. They needed to be finished with Keyhole Canyon by noon. Afternoon is the worst time to be in those canyons - in AZ Monsoon season.

Interesting article:

Death Valley Flood