Canyoneering is not a new sport; it has been around for decades and is a well established activity all over the world. Canyoneering has also, enjoyed a surge in popularity in western Canada over the past several years. Unfortunately, many of the people who are discovering this exciting sport remain unaware of the inherent risks and the complex technical skills required to enjoy it safely. The rope skills learned from rock climbing and rappelling are a good start, but often prove to be inefficient, and sometimes dangerous, in an aquatic or semi-aquatic canyon environment.
The basics are a critical starting point for every responsible individual entering canyons, and this course is the perfect primer for those who are looking to get into canyoneering or those wanting to refresh their understanding of the many core concepts. On this course you will learn core concepts of trip planning, equipment, rappelling, rigging, canyon movement, overall general safety and much more. The goal of this course is to have you leave understanding the core concepts of canyoneering, so you can become a contributing team member while in a canyon with competent leaders and mentors.
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$395 CAD Per Person
2 Days
2 - 8 people
Ages 14+
We base our Courses out of the Canmore and surrounding area. Canmore is approximately one hour west of Calgary.
Day 1 (9:00 am – 5:00pm):
The first day of the course will be spent at an outdoor class room covering many of the main core concepts and skills of equipment use, planning, canyoning ratings, hazards and dangers, rope work, knots, Rappelling techniques, and basic rigging.
Day 2 (9:00 am – 5:00pm):
We only use the highest quality equipment on our canyoning trips and canyon specific gear. The gear we provide on all of our canyon courses includes:
*Note: Participants are more than welcome to also bring any of their own gear
Personal gear lunch and clothing. Weather can vary greatly in the outdoor especially at the beginning and the end of the season. The following list covers a wide range of possibilities. Should sunny warm conditions be forecast some items may be unnecessary. Remember that weather can change fast so even if the day starts out sunny you may still need rain gear in the afternoon.
Due to the active nature of this trip we require all participants to be at least 14 years of age. Participants do not require any previous rope or rappelling experience, they must though be relatively comfortable with heights.
Meeting time is at 8:00 am at the Heart Creek Trail Parking lot. (Please check the directions and map outlined below); or at a predetermined location in Canmore. After meeting your guide all participants will shuttle together to the outdoor classroom location for the course.
It is a good idea to change into a bathing suit before arriving at the meeting point. There are rudimentary public toilets at the Heart Creek Trailhead. We will “suit up” and change into wet suits before we rappel into the canyon which is after our short approach hike up the top of both canyon sections. Please also keep in mind that there are no services at the staging area. The closets gas station is in Deadmans Flats.
It is recommend that everyone bring a lunch on our full day canyoneering trip. We do not provide lunch on our full day trips. Due to our busy summer and because we do not have a facility to store products and food do not provide lunch.
Participation in activities with Canadian Wilderness School Expedition/ Bow Valley Canyon Tours involves risks, dangers and hazards. All participants must read and agree to the Release Agreement prior to proceeding with booking. Click here to read the Release Agreement: Click here to read the Release Agreement:
Our canyoning season usually runs from May to October. Bookings can be made directly by clicking the: BOOK NOW link or call us by phone. We would love to answer any remaining questions you might have. Please be ready to provide a credit card when booking by phone. We are normally available between the hours of 8am – 6pm seven days a week, Mountain standard Time.
PH: (403) 679-2309
Email: tours@cwexpeditions.ca
This trip may be subject to itinerary change or in an extreme case even possible cancellation due to unexpected water levels and/or weather conditions. Please refer to our cancelation policy provided upon booking the trip.
We gratefully acknowledge that we travel, work, explore, and play in the Treaty 7 Territory region of Southern Alberta. Treaty 7 encompasses the traditional lands of the Îyârhe Nakoda Nations of Chiniki, Wesley, and Bearspaw, the Tsuut’ina First Nation, the Kainai, Siksika, and Piikani Nations of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) Confederacy, and Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. We promise to honour and celebrate the land, history, and habitants of this sacred space, for we are guests in their home.
