IN THIS MODULE
20 Canyoneering Gear Loadouts
Module 18 covered individual pieces of gear. This module shows examples of how technical gear changes with the canyon. Add each person's water, food, navigation, sun protection, personal medications, and emergency clothing or shelter; these photo loadouts are not complete packing checklists.
And—as usual in canyoneering—it depends. The canyon, your group, the season, the water, the rappel lengths, and the expected obstacles all change what belongs in the pack.
FOUR EXAMPLE LOADOUTS
DRY CANYONS
• Short day / dry canyon
• Full day / dry canyon
WET OR COLD
• Full day / wet & dry canyon
• Full day / wet & dry canyon — extra cold
HOW TO USE THESE: Treat these as examples—not universal packing lists. Compare them with the beta for the canyon you are actually doing, then add or remove gear with a reason.
LOADOUT
1/4
Short Day, Dry Canyon
A compact technical-canyon setup when water and cold are not major factors.
• Backpack
• Helmet (not pictured)
• Harness
• Canyoneering shoes
• PAS
• Carabiners
• Gloves
• SQWUREL
• TOTEM
• ATC (backup)
• Quick links / rapides
• 30 ft black webbing
• 200 ft rope
• 200 ft pull-cord
• First-aid kit
• GPS w/ satellite messenger
• Headlamp
• Radio
• Water-treatment backup
BRETT’S OPINION: A “short” canyon still gets the same basic safety thinking. The day is smaller—the consequences of forgetting something are not.
LOADOUT
2/4
Full Day, Dry Canyon
More time out means more redundancy, more rope, and more margin for the unexpected.
• Backpack
• Helmet (not pictured)
• Harness
• Canyoneering shoes
• PAS
• Carabiners
• Gloves
• SQWUREL
• TOTEM
• ATC
• Quick links / rapides
• 30 ft black webbing
• 200 ft rope (9 mm)
• 200 ft rope (9 mm) — another person carries
• 120 ft rope (9 mm) — another person carries
• 200 ft pull-cord
• First-aid kit
• GPS w/ satellite messenger
• Headlamp
• 2-way radio
• Water-treatment backup
BRETT’S OPINION: Notice how the extra ropes are distributed. Group gear does not all need to be carried on one person’s back only. Share the load.
LOADOUT
3/4
Full Day, Wet & Dry Canyon
Add thermal protection and make sure the rest of the system still works when everything gets wet.
• Full wetsuit (4/3 mm)
• Bigger backpack
• Helmet (not pictured)
• Harness
• Canyoneering shoes
• PAS & slings
• Carabiners
• SQWUREL
• TOTEM
• ATC
• Quick links / rapides
• 30 ft black webbing
• Rubber + rappelling gloves
• 200 ft rope (9 mm)
• 200 ft rope (9 mm) — another person carries
• 120 ft rope (9 mm) — another person carries
• 200 ft pull-cord
• First-aid kit
• GPS w/ satellite messenger
• Headlamp
• 2-way radio
• Water-treatment backup
BRETT’S OPINION: Water changes the day quickly. The wetsuit is obvious; the bigger pack and wet-compatible organization matter too.
LOADOUT
4/4
Full Day, Wet & Dry Canyon — Extra Cold!
When cold becomes part of the problem, the gear list grows fast.
• Drysuit
• Biggest backpack
• Helmet (not pictured)
• Harness
• Canyoneering shoes
• PAS & slings
• Carabiners (extras)
• Alpha-Direct mid-layer
• Waterproof / windproof shell
• SQWUREL
• TOTEM
• ATC
• Quick links / rapides
• 30 ft black webbing
• Rubber + rappelling gloves
• 200 ft rope (9 mm)
• 200 ft rope (9 mm) — another person carries
• 120 ft rope (9 mm) — another person carries
• 200 ft pull-cord
• First-aid kit
• GPS w/ satellite messenger
• Waterproof headlamp
• 2-way radio
• Water-treatment backup / filter
• Pothole escape tools
• Handled ascenders (or similar)
BRETT’S OPINION: This is where “optional” gear stops feeling optional. Cold, water, and advanced obstacles can turn a simple checklist into a much bigger system.