Canyoneering in Washington state

Excuse my ignorance. All this time that I've been writing about caving/spelunking, I'd actually been thinking about canyoneering.

Canyoning (known as canyoneering in the U.S.) is traveling in canyons using a variety of techniques...the terms canyoning and canyoneering are more often associated with technical descents — those that require rappels (abseils) and ropework, technical climbing or down-climbing, technical jumps, and/or technical swims.

This first time I saw a picture of a guy hanging on a rope somewhere in the canyons of the great Southeast ( not sure whether it was Utah or Arizona ), I knew I had to try it !




Honestly, I don't think it was the activity itself that grabbed my attention. I mean, if you think about it, canyoneering is basically just repelling ( descending from a mountain cliff/climbing wall with a rope tied to you with a harness fastened to your waist). Remarkable, intricate landscapes of sweeping slickrock, desolate dirtscapes and wonderful canyons - that's my association with canyoneering.

Most canyoneering in the United States occurs in the many slot canyons carved in the sandstone found throughout the Colorado Plateau. Outside of the Colorado Plateau, numerous canyoneering opportunities are found in the San Gabriel, Sierra Nevada Rocky Mountain ranges and ....Cascades !

I recently stumbled upon Canyoneering Northwest web site, and was surprised to find out that Washington had its own canyoneering enthusiasts.

According to the site, canyoneering in the northwest ( Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Western Canada ) is still in its infancy.

The website devoted to sharing information and ideas for exploring the canyons of the northwest. The purpose of this site is to encourage canyon exploration, share beta, exchange ideas, provide trip reports, help northwest canyoneers connect with one another, and promote safe and responsible canyoneering.

Though, some of the adventure companies in Utah, Arizona and Hawaii offer guided tours, I haven't found anything like that in our state. If you have any information about canyoneering adventures in Washington state, please share with us !

Meanwhile, I am adding a new category to my activity list " Canyoneering "