more photos

Canyoning

Canyons are unique and special places. Let's keep them that way! You can help minimise your impact by practising the canyon code of ethics below, and encouraging others to do so.

Don't wear the canyons down!

• Keep your group to a small and manageable size.

• Don't place bolts, or alter rock surfaces in any way.

• Avoid leaving unnecessary slings and remove old slings.

• Keep to creek channels, to avoid sensitive creek banks and soft vegetation.

• Avoid establishing new abseil routes or footpads - keep to existing paths, or spread out in trackless terrain.

• Walk carefully in rocky pagoda areas - flaky rocks and thin ledges can break easily.

• Avoid marking tracks (signs, cairns, broken branches). Each group should have at least one competent navigator.

• Don't publicise 'new' canyons or those in wilderness areas, to preserve opportunities for discovery and to minimise impacts.

• Use fuel stoves - fires scars are unsightly, attract rubbish and encourage vegetation damage.

• Avoid camping in canyon environments.

• Dispose of human waste away from canyons.

• Leave crayfish and other wildlife alone.

• Carry out any rubbish.

Don't let the canyons wear you down!

• Take responsibility for your own safety.

• Avoid canyoning if rain is forecast or if the weather looks changeable.

• Be self-reliant. Know the route, and have adequate food, safety and first aid gear, maps and clothing. Know how to swim and self-rescue on ropes.

• Teach beginner abseilers prior to canyon trips, rather than in canyons.

• Hypothermia is a real risk – wetsuits and spare warm clothes are advisable.

• Give way to faster groups.

• Avoid peak use times in well-known canyons if possible. This especially applies to Claustral, where overcrowding can cause delays and safety problems.

• Leave details of your group, route and expected return time with a responsible person.

• Ring 999 in case of emergency.