Canyoneering

[Fieldtestornothing]

Hey all,

Thought I would get some advice. Living in Arizona and all I have been doing research on getting into canyoneering. I already do a decent amount of technical climbing and would love to do something more challenging. I have always been a little rock headed and my wife is really complaining about this one. She rarley spoke up on the 10 mile train runs in 110 degree heat or the 4 nighters in the mountains by myself. I love punishing workouts carring heavy packs and the wilderness to me is something that should be enjoyed alone. I simply HATE having people around when I'm out. Problem is that some of these area's are brutal and doing technical climbs alone even for me borders on stupid. To compound things a couple were killed in a flash flood a mile from my house in a canyon and a good friend of my family just fell to his death climbing Rainer.

What say you? How do you keep your wifes happy?

Any Canyoneers here? Advice?

 

[ghostguy6]

If you have a wife you will never satisfy her unless you spend massive amounts of money buying her gift after gift until she forgets your even going on a trip. Once your wife is out of the way try to find someone else in your area to go a on a canyoneering trip with you. Even though you may not like having someone with you it is best to go with someone experianced until you are familure with the conditions you will encounter. Trust me, bailing out of a canyon is not an easy thing to do even with someone to help you.

 

[fnc]

I hope you are reading and searching rock climbing
and cayoneering forums for more specific information.

The "alone" thing is so dangerous; I am glad you are
researching and rethinking.

IMO, you are telling us that you are struggling with your
risk taking behavior. Make sure you head is straight.

Read the Gonzales book; it goes into mental aspects,
especially "why" experienced and prepared people have
a clear-thinking-lapse: 1) exhilaration of and event
2) risky behavior that pays off, causes mind-shift.
[His terminology is different in the book.]

http://www.deepsurvival.com/

Choose canyons carefully: select a canyon only if it
is well documented. Don't go alone or with weaker partners.

Be exact on planning and let others know, in writing,
where, when, how, ETA, etc. Also, document where
you will park, license number, color,make,model of car.

A small piece of chalk could be used to mark a small stone
or micro cairn. If searchers know your habits they can find
you easier.

A Personal Locator Beacon or Sat Phone could be taken, but
they may not work too well, when a steep canyon is cave-like.
For reviews of these and other survival stuff:
http://equipped.com/

Carry a multi-tool; u know why!!

 

[skammer]

Combine your outdoor passion and a public srevice hobby.

Join your local SAR team and teach or train. The spouses complain a lot less and they allow you to make great gear purchases.

"But, its for the lost children honey" shhhh its all on the down low.

Only goes so far when the phone rings at 3am 3 times in one week tho.

Good luck.

Skam