Canyoning/Gorge walking

Canyoning/Gorge walking

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Discussion

Moose.

Original Poster:

5,345 posts

256 months

Thursday 12th March 2009
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I'm off this weekend with a bunch of mates on a stag do, doing this along with spot of white water rafting in North Wales. Can't remember who suggested it but it sounds a laugh smile

Anyone done it? What's it all about? And what should I wear?

ewenm

28,506 posts

260 months

Thursday 12th March 2009
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Essentially you're climbing up a stream/river , usually with waterfalls. It'll be wet and slippery and fun thumbup

mybrainhurts

90,809 posts

270 months

Thursday 12th March 2009
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Moose. said:
Can yo ning
No, but ah can nong....

deckster

9,631 posts

270 months

Thursday 12th March 2009
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ewenm said:
Essentially you're climbing up a stream/river , usually with waterfalls. It'll be wet and slippery and fun thumbup
I thought you normally abseiled down? A bit easier than climbing up!

Still sounds fun though biggrin

ewenm

28,506 posts

260 months

Thursday 12th March 2009
quotequote all
deckster said:
ewenm said:
Essentially you're climbing up a stream/river , usually with waterfalls. It'll be wet and slippery and fun thumbup
I thought you normally abseiled down? A bit easier than climbing up!

Still sounds fun though biggrin
Maybe both - Canyoning is, as you say, usually an abseil in. Gorge or ghyll scrambling is usually the walk/scramble/climb back out.

Moose.

Original Poster:

5,345 posts

256 months

Friday 13th March 2009
quotequote all
ewenm said:
Essentially you're climbing up a stream/river , usually with waterfalls. It'll be wet and slippery and fun thumbup
Cool cool Not entirely sure of the details but they provide wetsuits and life jackets, so I guess I'll just bring a towel really. Should be a laugh smile

Ranger 6

7,367 posts

264 months

Friday 13th March 2009
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ewenm said:
Essentially you're climbing up a stream/river , usually with waterfalls. It'll be wet and slippery and fun thumbup
I did it on an adventure weekend in the Pyrenees once and had a whale of a time sliding down a stream with some quite big jumps too. Hard hats and life jackets essential!! Came out the bottom and into the rafts on the more open river smile

TonyHetherington

32,091 posts

265 months

Friday 13th March 2009
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Yup I did canyoning not so long ago - fantastic fun. Be prepared to get very bashed about on hard rocks, but it was a great experience.

They will provide everything you need - wet suit, helmets, shoes etc, just take swimming shorts to go under the wet suit and a towel. And if it's in North Wales this weekend - a flask of tea!!

AndyAudi

3,486 posts

237 months

Friday 13th March 2009
quotequote all
Moose. said:
I'm off this weekend with a bunch of mates on a stag do, doing this along with spot of white water rafting in North Wales. Can't remember who suggested it but it sounds a laugh smile

Anyone done it? What's it all about? And what should I wear?
I regularly take out groups in Scotland as a scout leader and would comment as follows

Canyonning is usually with the direction of water and might be accessed by rope dependent on location. Water is usually slightly deeper and you will find yourself sliding down rapid's & jumping off waterfalls etc.(White water rafting without the raft)
Gorge walks are usually up the way in the water, Depth will vary and swimming against a current rare (less water around you than canyonning). You may get to climb small waterfalls etc.

You will likely be provided with kit, although possibly not footwear (The person who booked it should know what you need to take)
Under a wetsuit I'd suggest Socks (to prevent rubbing in your boots also Lots of small stones get into footwear), Swimming Shorts and a T'shirt or something if desired (Try & avoid cotton though as it takes heat away from you). If you need footwear old trainers or boots (ankle support is desired as they take a lot of strain in fast currents)

(The Scout Leader in me) If you are Asthmatic remember your inhaler and advise your group leader who can make sure it is kept dry, remember you are likely to be in unfamiliar circumstances which combined with the cold & physical strain could trigger an attack. Likewise if you need any other medication make them aware as you are likely to be some distance away from it if you leave it in you car!

Have fun, It's Great and highly addictive!

Andy

pimpin gimp

3,302 posts

215 months

Friday 13th March 2009
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I went canyoning near Neath a couple of years ago, had a cracking time.

You basically get taken to the top of the river, get in, and go down.

You swim a bit, jump off waterfalls, go down rock "chutes" (that are generally covered ins lime and algae so that you can actually slide) swim a bit more, jump of much higher things than you'd expect (highest of ours was about 30ft - easy, until you get to the top and look down!)

Had a truly awesome time, it's a hell of a laugh.