My husband and I took the technical canyoneering course from Christopher to learn more about anchoring, knot tying, varying canyoneering techniques, and have fun. The course is 3 days long and each day was 10-13 hours long. Christopher was great to really listen to what our goals/expectations were and customise the teaching to our skills and abilities. We’d come home really tired every day but excited with what we’d seen and learned. It was a fantastic course and I’d like to return next year for more!
Learn to canyoneer with the support of professional and knowledgeable guides
Team canyoneering equipment provided
Develop technical and leadership skills to safely descend canyons
Our 3-day Technical Canyoneering/Canyon Leadership course is the premier introduction to canyoneering designed to give you the knowledge and confidence you need to pursue the exciting sport of technical canyoneering. This course includes beginning and intermediate level techniques, trip planning, problem-solving, hazard recognition and avoidance, and team building. Completion of this canyoneering course will provide you with the skills you need to pursue canyons up to a Class 3B rating and to travel safely in a variety of wilderness environments. Gain access to a whole new world of adventures!
$549 per person | 3 days
Course Details
Price
Tuition for the course is $549 per person
Departure time
8 AM
Meeting point
Hanksville, Utah
Availability
April 11-13, 2025; April 25-27, 2025; May 16-18, 2025; September 19-21, 2025; October 3-5, 2025 and October 24-26, 2025.
Custom dates available for private groups. Contact us for additional information.
Duration
3 days
Group size
2-8 people
If you have more than 8 people in your group, contact us about doing a private course.
Experience level
No previous experience required
This course is suitable for beginners of all ages who enjoy an active, adventurous and educational outdoor experience. Adult participants should be able to carry a pack weighing 10-20 pounds.
Difficulty rating
3
Level 1
- Activity:
- Hiking: Easy hiking on well maintained trails
- Canyoneering: Easy hiking and scrambling using hands and feet for balance and support A rope may be used for handlines, belays, rappels and lowering packs
- Distances: Hike up to 2 miles
- Surfaces: Easy terrain
- Elevation Change: Little to none. Short sections of uphill travel.
Level 2
- Activity:
- Hiking: Easy to moderate hiking
- Canyoneering: Easy to moderate hiking and scrambling using hands and feet for balance and support. A rope may be used for handlines, belays, rappels and lowering packs.
- Distances: Hike up to 3 miles
- Surfaces: Flat or rolling terrain with some steep ascents/descents and uneven trails
- Elevation Change: Up to 600 ft/day
Level 3
- Activity:
- Hiking: Moderate, off-trail hiking on rugged trails
- Canyoneering: Moderate, sustained, climbing and scrambling using hands and feet. A rope is required for handlines, belays, rappels and lowering packs
- Distances: Hike up to 6 miles
- Surfaces: Rolling or mountainous terrain with some steep ascents/descents and uneven trails
- Elevation Change: Up to 1200 ft/day
Level 4
- Activity:
- Hiking: Difficult, off-trail hiking on rugged, technical terrain
- Canyoneering: Difficult, sustained, climbing and scrambling using hands and feet. A rope is required for handlines, belays, rappels and lowering packs.
- Distances: Hike up to 10 miles
- Surfaces: Rugged, exposed terrain with steep ascents/descents and uneven trails
- Elevation Change: Up to 3000 ft/day
Level 5
- Activity:
- Hiking: Very difficult, off-trail hiking on rugged, technical terrain
- Canyoneering: Very difficult, sustained, climbing and scrambling using hands and feet. A rope may be used for handlines, belays, rappels and lowering packs. May require advanced canyoneering techniques including guided rappels, multi-pitch rappels, complex ropework difficult pothole escapes, and advanced problem-solving and anchor building.
- Distances: Hike up to 14 miles
- Surfaces: Extremely rugged, exposed terrain with steep ascents/descents and uneven trails
- Elevation Change: Up to 4000 ft/day
Solitude rating
5
- Expect to be around other hikers and travelers most of the time.
- Expect to have some solitude, as much as an hour at a time without seeing other groups.
- Expect several hours of solitude at a time.
- Expect to see no more than one or two groups on your trip.
- Expect to see no other hikers or travelers on your trip.
Included
- Experienced and professional guides
- Team canyoneering equipment
- Canyoneering and rappelling instruction
- Federal land permit fees
- Safety equipment, including a team first-aid kit and satellite messenger
- A commitment to make the course as exciting, challenging, and informative as you’d like
Not included
- Lodging
- Meals
- Transportation
- Personal canyoneering equipment
- Gratuities or tips for instructors
What to bring
- Harness, helmet & rappel device
- Layered clothing
- Comfortable, high-friction footwear
- Medium backpack
- Sun Protection
- Water bottles or bladder
- Headlamp or flashlight
If you do not have your own gear, let us know. A full packing will be sent after booking. We also have a limited supply of harnesses, helmets and hardware available for rent.
What Lies Ahead of You
Learn canyoneering in the canyons, not in a classroom
Build a solid foundation of canyoneering skills
Grow as a leader and improve in your decision making
Meet new adventurers and experience the power of the team
What You'll Learn
Skills you’ll learn in the canyoneering course include:
- Selection, use and care of your canyoneering gear
- Trip planning techniques
- Navigation and route finding
- Canyon Rating system
- Knots and hitches
- Hazard recognition and avoidance
- Crisis management
- Climbing techniques
- Partner assist techniques
- Using and setting natural and fixed anchors
- Natural anchor construction techniques
- Rappelling and belaying techniques
- Ascending fixed lines
- Handlines and tethers
- Pothole escape techniques
- Group problem solving
- Self-rescue techniques
Other Important Information
We offer multiple tours in the Utah wilderness. See where we guide!
If you’ve decided to stay a little longer, take a look at our list of Utah recommendations(opens in a new tab), including the nearest towns with the best accommodation and restaurants. If you have any further questions, please get in touch with us(opens in a new tab)!
Frequently Asked Questions
This class is designed for beginners, or those with some in-canyon experience. No previous experience is required.
Wear clothes you can move in and don’t mind if they get “worn-in” by the canyons. Make sure to bring enough layers in case of cool temperatures Make sure to bring enough layers in case of cool temperatures. For your feet, comfortable medium-weight hiking shoes or boots work best. You definitely need closed-toed shoes (no Chacos!) that you’ve worn before and broken in well. A full packing list will be sent upon booking with more information.
Entrance fees and snacks are included in the price.
Have more questions? Head to our FAQ page to read more!
Photo Gallery
My husband were able to spend a couple days with Chris gaining and practicing new skills that are necessary to safely navigate some of Utah’s canyons. Chris is knowledgable, methodical and sequential with his teaching. We are excited to come back next year to practice!! I love canyoneering!!
Our group of 4 couples, traveling together, spent 6 hours in Goblin Valley State Park canyoneering with Get in the Wild serving as our outfitter. We had a fabulous adventure, pushing ourselves and finding success doing activities many never dreamt of doing. Like rappelling. We are 55 – 75 years old, active, but again, meeting challenges never attempted before. Get in the Wild is a class operator. We highly recommend.
