Advanced Canyoneering Rigging Workshop

Advanced Techniques. Creative Solutions. Confident Decision-Making.

Advanced Rigging is designed for experienced canyoneers looking to expand their technical skills and develop a deeper understanding of complex anchor systems, challenging rigging scenarios and problem-solving in technical canyon environments.

Not every canyon offers obvious, reliable anchors or straightforward rappel starts. Some require creative use of natural features, specialized rigging techniques and careful planning to move a team safely and efficiently through challenging terrain.

This workshop explores the principles behind advanced anchor construction, natural anchor selection, marginal anchors, challenging rappel starts, retrievable systems and technical problem-solving. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding the forces involved, evaluating available options and selecting appropriate techniques for the conditions encountered.

Our approach is hands-on and skills-focused. We explain and demonstrate each technique, then provide opportunities for participants to practice, troubleshoot and refine their understanding under professional instruction.

The goal is not simply to learn more rigging techniques, but to develop the judgment, adaptability and technical competence needed to approach complex canyon challenges with greater confidence.

Technical Skills and Concepts

• Effects of friction and rope forces
• Rigging sequence and system planning
• Human (meat) anchors
• Marginal anchors
• Chock anchors
• Courtesy anchors
• Natural anchor construction
• Guided rappels
• Lowering systems and rappel lowers
• Retrievable traverses
• Deadman switches and hands-free backups
• Single Rope Technique (SRT)
• Double Rope Technique (DRT)
• Retrievable rigging and ghosting techniques
• Toggle systems, setup and retrieval
• Rope tensioning techniques
• Protected traverses
• Deviations and redirects
• Advanced rope management
• Creeping techniques
• Tail-up retrievable rigging
• Multipitch rigging considerations
• Counterweight rappels
• Simultaneous rappels

What to Expect

This is an active, hands-on workshop emphasizing practical application, technical understanding and sound decision-making. Participants should arrive prepared to work with rope systems, explore different solutions and engage in collaborative problem-solving throughout the day.

Important: The specific techniques covered will depend on available time, training location and group experience. Not every listed skill may be addressed during a single workshop.