Written by Mario (@mariosmam)
From your first guided canyon to your first independent adventure!
There's something pretty incredible about standing at the top of a waterfall, and looking down into a canyon carved by thousands of years of flowing water. You clip into your rope, take one last look at your team, lean back over the edge, and suddenly you're descending into a world that most people will never see.
That's what drew me to canyoning.
I've always loved hiking, climbing, and mountaineering, but canyoning combines all of those activities into one adventure. One minute you're hiking through lush rainforest, the next you're scrambling over polished granite, rappelling beside waterfalls, squeezing through narrow canyon walls, and swimming through crystal-clear pools. Every canyon tells a different story.
British Columbia is home to some of the best canyoning in the world, but it's also a sport where preparation matters. Once you're committed to a canyon, turning around isn't always an option. Cold water, slippery rock, technical rope systems, and changing conditions all demand preparation and good judgement.
This checklist isn't a substitute for proper training. Instead, it's the exact process I go through before every descent and the gear I rely on to help me enjoy the day safely.
Before You Even Start Packing
Every canyon is different, before a trip I ask myself:
- What's the weather doing?
- Has it rained anywhere in the watershed?
- How cold is the water?
- Does everyone have the experience required?
- What's our backup plan?
Sometimes the answer is layering up. Sometimes the answer is choosing another canyon. The canyon will still be there next weekend.
The BC Canyoning Checklist
Technical Gear
☐ Helmet (Black Diamond Vapor Helmet)
A properly fitted helmet protects you from rockfall, swinging into canyon walls, and unexpected slips on wet rock.
☐ Canyoning harness (Petzl Canyon Club Harness)
Choose a harness designed for canyoning that stands up to water and abrasion, the seat on the back will save your wetsuit and your harness.
☐ Figure 8 Descender (Petzl Huit) or (Edelrid Hannibal)
Excellent to use as a block when descending, and can be used to lower your partners if necessary. Also doubles as a backup descender if you ever lose your main one!
☐ Quickdraw with Autolocking Carabineers (Black Diamond Hotwire Quickdraw with Petzl SMD Carabiner Triact-Lock x 2)
Needed to set for an Munter-Mule-Overhand (MMO) another way to lower you and your team down!
☐ Rope Ascending Kit (Petzl Crevasse Rescue Kit)
Just in case you need to go back up the way you came down!
☐ Personal tether/cow's tail (Petzl Dual Connect Vario Lanyard)
Keeps you locked in on fixed lines, and keeps you safe as you set up for your rappel.
☐ 3–5 locking carabiners ( Petzl SMD Carabiner Triact-Lock)
Carry enough to build simple systems and have as back ups.
☐ Prusik x 2
A lightweight addition that can be invaluable during problem solving or self-rescue, some 7mm cordage is perfect.
☐ Canyoning backpack with drainage (Petzl Alcanadre Guide 45)
Unlike a hiking pack, canyon packs drain quickly and are built for abuse.
☐ Rope(s) appropriate for the route (Recommend two 60m or 70m ropes) – Petzl Club 70M
Know the required rope lengths for your canyoning objective before leaving home.
☐ Knife (Petzl Spatha Knife)
Hopefully it never leaves your harness, but it's an important emergency tool.
☐ Waterproof key container or canyoning keg - (Pelican M60 Microcase)
One of the most underrated items. It keeps your vehicle keys, first aid kit, and snacks dry through every swim, jump, and rappel.
Mario's Tip: I clip my key container inside my pack so it can't snag or disappear during a swim. (Same with my waterbottle)
☐ Waterproof phone case or dry pouch - (Chums Floating Phone Protector)
Protects one of your most important emergency tools while still letting you capture photos and use offline maps.
Clothing & Footwear
☐ Wetsuit or drysuit - (NRS Axiom GTX Pro Dry Suit)
Dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature. Have a look on Facebook Marketplace for a cheap used wetsuit!
☐ Neoprene socks (NRS Wet Socks)
Help keep your feet warm and comfortable, you can always wear wool socks as well to add extra warmth.
☐ Sticky-rubber canyoning shoes (Adidas Terrex Hydro Lace)
If there's one piece of gear worth investing in, it's footwear. Good rubber inspires confidence on slippery rock.
Mario's Tip: If you're deciding where to spend your money, buy great shoes before almost anything else. You'll notice the difference on nearly every approach.
☐ Rope gloves (Black Diamond Transition Gloves)
Your hands will thank you!
☐ Dry clothes waiting in the vehicle
After hours in cold water, this feels like the best luxury of the day.
Safety & Emergency Equipment
☐ First aid kit (Adventure Medical – Ultralight 0.7 Kit)
Tailor it to your group and objective, but this Adventure Medical Kit is a good start!
☐ Emergency bivy or blanket
Lightweight insurance if your day doesn't go to plan.
☐ Garmin inReach or satellite communicator (Garmin inReach)
Many BC canyons have little or no cell service.
Mario's Tip: Even with experienced partners, I still carry an inReach. It's the piece of gear you hope you never need but you’ll be glad you have.
☐ Headlamp (Petzl Swift RL Head Lamp)
Always pack one, even for short days.
Small, light, and invaluable if needed.
☐ Repair kit
Zip ties, cord, and duct tape solve countless gear issues.
☐ Whistle (Fox 40)
Often more effective than shouting.
☐ Goggles
When you drop something you’ll thank me!
Food & Hydration
☐ Water (Nalgene bottle)
Stay ahead of dehydration.
☐ Electrolytes
Especially useful on hot days.
☐ High-energy snacks
Eat before you're hungry.
Group Gear
☐ Throw bag (NSR Compact Rescue Throw Bag)
Useful for water rescues and certain scenarios.
☐ Webbing 10m (Sterling Ropes Tubular Mil-Spec Webbing 1")
For replacing worn anchor material where appropriate.
Only for teams trained in advanced canyon rigging.
☐ Jetboil (Jetboil Flash 1.8L)
Nothing quite like a cup of tea next to a waterfall.
☐ Water filter (Katadyn Hiker Pro Microfilter)
Useful on longer objectives where appropriate.
☐ Large Dry Bag (NRS Bills Bag Heavy-Duty Dry Bag - 110L)
The best way to keep all the group gear together!
Mistakes I've Learned From
I've forgotten dry clothes, underestimated how cold glacial water could be, packed too much, and assumed someone else packed a piece of shared equipment. Fortunately those mistakes were small. They taught me that preparation isn't about eliminating every risk—it's about stacking the odds in your favour before you get out there.
Golden Rules for the Canyon
Respect the Water
Rain upstream can dramatically increase water levels, even if it's sunny where you are.
Never Canyon Alone
Travel with experienced partners and communicate clearly.
Slow Is Smooth. Smooth Is Fast.
Take your time rigging anchors and checking systems.
Double-Check Everything
A second set of eyes catches more than you'd expect.
Leave No Trace
Pack out everything you bring in and help keep these places wild.
Every canyon teaches something new. Preparation isn't about expecting something to go wrong it's about giving yourself the confidence to enjoy the adventure. Hopefully this guide helps you spend less time wondering if you've forgotten something and more time appreciating BC's incredible canyons.