Reflections on releasable systems: Self-locking-backups?

Recently the FFME (Fédération française de la montagne et de l’escalade) posted a video as an invitation to work on an effort to explore options to add security during Release & Lower operations During Pro Guide assessments, and Pro practice you will come across scenarios where you need to release a system to lower a […]

12 New Level 2 Guides in Mexico

Canyon Guides International is proud to announce the training and certification of 12 new Level 2 canyon guides in Mexico. In February and March of this year CGI Instructors Rich Carlson and Adolfo Isassi were invited to train and assess a group of canyoneers from a Monterrey canyoning club called Legión Cañonera del Norte. It […]

The science behind teaching & learning: Tying Knots

During the few years that I have spent as a canyoneering instructor, I have been able to gather some observations regarding teaching how to tie knots: These observations lead me to suspect that “spatial awareness” (our ability to place shapes and objects in a three dimensional space) may be the key to better understand how to teach knots and […]

MadRock Safeguard: Useful for Pro Guiding?

Oher rope related activities like caving, climbing, rope access, have been using self-locking & assisted-braking devices for a while. Devices like the Petzl line up ID, Evac, Rig, Stop, GriGr. Recently, a relatively new device, the Safeguard offered by MadRock has been attracting the attention of canyonners as a compact possibility to carry a self-locking […]

Canyoneering Competency Checklist

Canyon Guides International announces the release of its new Canyoneering Competencies Checklist (developed in cooperation with Rich Carlson and Canyons & Crags) – a major step forward from current skills lists. This multi-purpose document incorporates: This is not only a document that lists canyoning skills and competencies; it also offers an instructional framework and philosophy […]

Congratulations Matthew Arnold – Level 2 Certification

Matthew is working professionally guiding canyons in British Columbia Canada. Under the mentorship of Guillaume Coupier (CGI Level 3 Pro Guide), Matthew is helping to develop the sport of canyoning in and around the Okanagan area of BC. They offer half day trips that are a one of a kind Okanagan adventure. Level 2 Fixed […]

Newest Level 2 Pro Canyon Guide: Timothy Reynolds

Timothy is a canyoneering guide based in Tucson, AZ USA. From Tim’s CGI profile: “Tim Reynolds started his fascination with the vertical world and canyoneering over 10 years ago. He was initially completely self taught, although thru the years has advanced his knowledge well beyond that and now holds his certification as a professional canyon […]

Canada’s best canyoning sites

Always enjoy seeing CGI guides in the news. Check out this article featuring West Coast Canyoning Adventures in British Columbia, Canada. Navigating Canada’s best canyoning sites – some outdoor skills required

Newest Level 3 Pro Canyon Guide: Tyler Miller

Tyler is a canyoneering guide based in Springdale, Utah USA. From Tyler’s CGI profile: “Passionate and professional guide serving the greater Zion area. Currently living and working in Springdale, Utah for Red Desert Adventures and Zion Guru.14+ years of technical climbing experience and 7 years of canyoneering experience.Zion Search and Rescue Team Member.” Tyler did […]

How to ascend a tensioned line

This question comes via JD Buchanan.You may need to ascend a tensioned line, like a guided rappel to fix something at the top anchor, or to assist a stuck teammate in the middle of the guided rappel. The two photos should give you a good idea on how to rig your ascenders. Key aspects of […]

Book Review : Canyoning in the Pacific Northwest

The title of this book is a little bit misleading. Yes, it certainly covers plenty of swift-water related techniques pertinent to the Pacific North West region of USA, but it also offers plenty of techniques, tips, and insights for class A & B canyons. If you are a CGI instructor offering a course, the chapters […]

Rigging Choices and Ropes

Canyoneering practices get shaped by the type of canyons we do, and the gear we use.If we frequent routes with nice bolt placements, we grow fond of adjustable safety tethers and SAS systems. If we frequent routes with bushes and cairns as anchors we get to love courtesy-rigging and retrievable-riggings.As time passes by, we tend […]