IN THIS MODULE
19 Canyoneering Protection
Protection is really another way of looking at the gear you already carry. Instead of asking only, “What equipment do I need?” ask a second question: “What am I trying to protect myself from in this canyon?”
Rock, cold water, abrasion, sun, heat, and long hours all create different problems. Helmets, wetsuits, drysuits, pads, gloves, sunscreen, sunglasses, and layers overlap with the gear list in Module 18—but this time the point is the protection they provide.
PACK WITH PURPOSE: The goal is not to carry everything you own. It is to anticipate the canyon, the season, and the conditions well enough that the right protection is already in your pack when the “uh-oh” moment shows up.
PROTECTION:
HEAD / BODY
• Helmet for rockfall, impacts, and technical canyon travel.
• Wetsuit or drysuit when water and temperature demand thermal protection.
HANDS / JOINTS
• Gloves for abrasion, cold rock, and rope handling.
• Knee and elbow pads for skinny slots, stemming, crawling, and repeated contact with sandstone.
UV protection belongs on the list too. Desert approaches and exits can mean hours of exposure even when the slot itself is shaded. Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, or a buff are simple protection that is easy to forget.
BRETT’S OPINION: My wife pointed out something I had overlooked about wetsuits: wetsuit seams matter when that material is pressed against your body all day. Comfort becomes part of protection on a long trip.
PROTECTION: Physical & Thermal
Different canyon problems call for different protection. These are all items already covered in Module 18—here they are grouped by what they protect.
REMEMBER: Protection is canyon-specific. A dry canyon in North Wash and a cold, water-filled canyon may require completely different items.
Head: Helmet
Body: Wetsuit
Body: Drysuit
Hands: Gloves
Elbows
Knees
UV: Sunscreen • Sunglasses • Hat / Buff