CANYONING, WHAT'S TO LOVE? ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING

What is there to ‘love’ about being gift-wrapped in multiple layers of 6mm thick neoprene, a life-vests, a harness, a helmet, socks, and boots then being herded up a dusty track for half an hour in the blazing sun?

-  Lynne and Steve Dickinson

Absolutely everything!

We were bundled up like Michelin men, hiking up the Routeburn track just out of Glenorchy, hardly able to move due to the numerous layers of neoprene. But all you could hear was the friendly chatter, and “Sh#T it’s hot” from various members of our group. We were getting to know one another whilst waddling towards our canyoning destination. Alex and Mike, from Canyon Explorers, led the trip and the rest of our group included Gisela and Ferdinand from Dunedin, Althea and Marian from France and Steve and I. It was a first time canyoning for most of us and although we had read up what to expect there was a certain amount of mystery and trepidation to what the day held.

Canyon Explorers are based in Queenstown and have been exploring canyons in the region since the late 1990’s. They have been running canyon expeditions since 1998 and a Via Ferrara since 2003. Canyoning can be a half day or a full day experience and we were enjoying the start of the full day as we ambled up the track.

I’m not sure what it is, maybe a mixture of everything; the setting, the adrenaline, the effort, the cold, the fear, the pushing of your own personal boundaries, or being with a group of likeminded people, that makes canyoning such a great ‘experience’.

Our day had begun at the Adventure Centre in Queenstown, where we met the staff and were transported out to the canyoning base to be kitted up with our multiple layers of clothing. From here we were driven along the breath-taking drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy and beyond into Mt Aspiring National Park and the start of the infamous Routeburn track.