Just ahead, a giant boulder has lodged itself between the canyon walls, as the river shoots down a waterfall to a pool 80 feet below. Somehow, incredibly, you end up right on top of that boulder, safely secured by a belay rope, but nonetheless find yourself gripping the rock with all your strength. When the time comes for you to descend, you shuffle over to the guide. He ties you into a new safety rope, unties the rope anchoring you to the rock, and belays you as you rappel a hundred feet, with the waterfall thundering beside you, into the pool below. You may rappel through the next waterfall.
Any outdoor sport is inherently riskier than, say, watching television.
If you head out into an unknown canyon with just a rope, a buddy, and a lot of optimism, you're definitely in high-risk territory. Most canyoning is done with guides, who are intimately familiar with every pool, slide, and waterfall in that particular canyon. Use of a qualified guide will greatly reduce, but will not eliminate, the risks of canyoning. This page is provided by Alyson Adventures, which offers active vacations and adventure travel for gay men, lesbians, and friends. Boomerang, our Australia trip.