I got started with canyoneering through the Mazamas and it seemed only fitting that I help out with introducing the sport to others. The Mazamas is a nonprofit organization in Portland, Oregon, that helps train people for outdoor activities like climbing, ski mountaineering and canyoneering as well as promotes conservation and responsible recreation. They provided me with the introduction to the sport I was looking for, and I’ve been helping out with the Mazamas canyoneering course for the last several years.

While Canyoneering is very popular in Europe, it is just taking hold here and the opportunities to learn the needed skills are few and far between. It’s satisfying to see the excitement on people’s faces when they rappel through their first waterfall. To be honest the look on their faces is about 50% “what the hell did I get myself into” and 75% “holy shit that was fun.” Yes, I know that’s more than 100% but that’s what canyoneering is all about.

One of those happy faces I was talking about.

in addition to these fires we are still recovering from the Eagle Creek fire of 2017 that burned a good chunk of the Columbia River Gorge in the waterfall alley are.

The last couple years have been tough in so many different ways. We had to cancel the 2020 canyoneering course entirely due to COVID and the 2021 course got a late start due to COVID and then was hampered by the horrific fire season of the previous year in the PNW. We lost access to many of our prime creeks and the ones that weren’t impacted by fire were hurt by drought conditions.

Luckily things have started looking better — the 2022 course was able to start on time and we had the wettest spring in something like 80 years. While we were searching high and low for creeks with water last year, this year has been the total opposite. Many of our go-to creeks were running too high to use for training new folks. Once the rain tapered off, we were able to find creeks with suitable flows. All that water meant flows were higher this year than for any other class that I can remember and I think it was fantastic. Of course, we always start off slow and don’t jump into things too fast.

Little 10’ waterfall to get used to things.

But we don’t want to let anyone get too complacent… so after the 10’ intro waterfall it was on to the nearly 100’ free-hang fun stuff.

Now that is what I call fun. After some good clean waterboarding everyone was asking for more. And a little asking to find somewhere warmer than under a waterfall.

Every creek is different: while one creek was full of big waterfalls, another combined some fantastic creek walking with shorter interesting waterfalls. Shorter waterfalls don’t mean less water or less fun, just different fun.

The light was amazing as we walked through the creek between waterfalls.

Once we hit the waterfalls the waterboarding started in earnest. There really is nothing like taking a shot of water to the chest and face to get your attention and wake you up. It’s easy to forget how powerful water can be but the creeks are always there to help remind you.

Lots of hooting and hollering as everyone got a face full of water dropping through the waterfall! After the quick face wash you drop behind the waterfall and continue to rappel behind the waterfall landing on somewhat dry-ish ground. Then you have to walk back through the waterfall to get out and make it to the car and waiting beers.

Now that’s what I call a success — I can’t wait have some of the students back next year helping out with a new group of future canyoneers.