Canyons are mostly found in areas of limestone which lend themselves to caves and to canyons. Canyonning is the sport that descends these deep and inaccessible ravines and allows you to discover their secrets. A walk, therefore, is usually necessary to gain access to the head of a canyon. This can sometimes take many hours but, if it is possible to have pleasure in going up, can be a delight - through alpine pasture where spring flowers may be blooming. Once the entrance to a canyon is found the fun can then start.
Belays are mostly bolts that have been drilled into position by the pioneers of the route.
These are generally secure, however, canyonners always need to be vigilant against suspect anchors. The final drop is often the most exciting, leaving the quiet and cut off world of the canyon and appearing once more into the so called real world. Getting started Anyone with the necessary skills can purchase a guide book and get on with it. For those who are not well versed in rope handling techniques, abseiling and the placing of protection, a day trip with one of the commercial operators who run canyonning expeditions is a place to start. Once you have experienced the sport, further skills can be developed by undertaking more canyonning expeditions with experienced colleagues or by pursing the similar sports, with regard to technical disciplines, of rock climbing or caving.