Canyon Ratings
Module 17
There is no official standard for canyoneering ratings, but the most commonly used system is based on the American Canyoneers Association. Ratings describe the technical difficulty of a canyon, including:
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Technical Class (hiking to technical climbing/rappelling)
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Water levels (typical conditions)
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Time required (approach, canyon, and exit)
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Additional risks involved
Let me give you a few examples of Canyon Ratings and see if you can decipher it:
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The Subway: 2B III
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Bluejohn Canyon: 3A III
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U-Turn Canyon: 3A I
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Neon Canyon: 3B IV R
Lets discuss what these ratings actually signify!
In the first column we have:
Technical Class (Range: Class 1, 2, 3, 4)
Class 1: Non-Technical Canyon Hiking (no ropes required). Check route details for specifics. information.
Class 2: Basic Canyoneering. Easy climbing/down-climbing; rope may help with hand-lines, backpacks, and assisting others. No fixed ropes needed for exits.
Class 3: Intermediate Canyoneering. Rope required for rappels and technical climbing/down-climbing. Basic problem-solving needed to progress.
Class 4: Expert Canyoneering. Includes all Class 3 obstacles and more. May contain: multi-pitch rappels, advanced rope techniques, difficult potholes, extensive down-climbing, high stemming (20-60 feet), tricky anchors, long swimming sections, and numerous rappels (20+). Speed and efficiency are crucial.
The second column is:
Water Rating (Range: A, B, & C.)
Water Rating: “A”: Normally dry, or may contain a little water after a rain storm. Possibly, waist deep.
Water Rating: “B”: Normally a little current (or still, depending on conditions). Pools are to be expected, as well as swimming.
Water Rating: “C”: Normally a strong current flow. Waterfalls. Rope techniques for descending them are required (not taught on Canyoneering101.com).
The third column is:
Time Length/Duration (Range: I, II, III, to VI)
This combines the approach, canyon, and exit.
Time Rating “I”: Short. Requires 1 to 3 hours.
Time Rating “II”: Half-Day. Requires 3 to 6 hours.
Time Rating “III“: Half-Day to Full-Day. Requires 6 hours to at least 10 hours.
Time Rating “IV”: Full-Day. Requires more than 10 hours, but less than 24.
Time Rating “V”: Full-Day + 1. Requires more than 1 day to complete.
The fourth (and optional) column:
Additional Risk (Range: No Rating, R, X).
(No Rating): If there is no rating listed here, than this canyon just has the assumed normal risks.
Rated “R”: At least one extraordinary risk may be present. Not for beginners (at all). Falling, drowning, risky anchors/rappels is possible. Solid technical skills MUST be in all individuals.
Rated “X”: More than one extraordinary risk is present. In addition to Rated R, Rated X canyons have the real possibility of seriously injuring and possibly death.