Canyoning and other outdoor pursuits

[FatCanyoner]

G'day all,
Given I'm relatively new to this site, and haven't had the time to delve through the thousands of topics that have been discussed, please excuse this query if it has been clarified in the past.
Is the forum focused purely on bushwalking, or are other outdoor pursuits like canyoning fair game (I've always argued that canyoning is simply bushwalking through creeks anyway). For me all the boundaries blur given I take a basic abseiling setup on most off-track / pass-finding trips (20m of 6mm rope, a carabiner and a simple tape harness - http://fatcanyoners.org/bush-guide/making-a-tape-harness/) For more remote canyoning trip or multi-day trips there is often more bushwalking than rope-work, so again the boundaries are blurred. And then there are straight up abseiling trips which can be a fun addition to an easy day of walking.
Then there are other activities like caving, kayaking, rock climbing etc, which are often done by bushwalkers and in many ways sprang from bushwalking if you go back far enough.
I suppose I'm just wondering if there is any interest in conversations / questions / trip reports specific to canyoning. I'm on the OzCanyons email list, but I think a web forum allows you to discuss more, because it doesn't bombard everyone's email and lets people pick and choose what is of most interest. If it is welcome, is it just treated exactly like a bushwalk, or am I missing some sub-topic where the smaller group of enthusiasts gather to talk more specific stuff.
Cheers
T2

[eggs]

I haven't done any canyoning, but I know Dave Noble and Tom Brennan are right into it.
Quite a few give hints about canyoning/absailing trips as well.
I would think all the things you mention are fine topics for posts and discussion.

There has been some discussion on kayak / light weight inflatable boats etc as well

The mods might think about adding some some headings under "bushwalking" to zero in on these interests.

[HitchHiking]

Would love to hear all the stories!

[buggeriamold]

Yep, I canyon pretty often(& climb & mountainbike & cave), its all about different opportunities to be out bush for me.

Mark

[kaite]

well yes have recently crossed the upper Burdekin on the road a few times and followed it a bit and then went to look at minimal boats... kayak even a blow up kayak? have only a small car, no roof racks yet but would love to start this sort of thing on a lazy type of river? Has anyone been there? Is it even possible? ( The army seams to own a lot of land around there)

[weetbix456]

i went canyonning in NZ near wanaka and had one of the best days of my life! would love to hear more about it/and get involved myself

[FatCanyoner]

That's great feedback guys. I knew there were some canyoners like Dave and Tom are on here, but wasn't sure whether it was of interest to many others. I really love talking canyons, so now that I've had that positive response I'll be sure to do a few posts on trips and gear etc as the weather warms up and we get into canyoning season. I'd also be keen to hear from people in other parts of the country that might have some canyons worth exploring.
As for some of the other topics, I'd love to hear more about kayaking etc, caving, mountain-biking etc. They are all things I want to do more of, if only bushwalking didn't already take up all my free time! I actually want to do a lilo trip down the Colo River some time soonish, but that one needs to wait for the stars to align with perfect weather, water flow and time off work!

[ninjapuppet]

Hey Tim,

tried messaging you directly, but it seems that you've disabled that.
I was going to say, i'd love to join you on the colo trip sometime on (but on a packraft). Ive got the "paddle eastern Australia" book by Mclaughlin and apparently the colo is one of the state's hardcore rivers with up to grade 4 in its upper reaches. It all just depends on which section you're planning on liloing. me and a mate spent 3 days scouting that river but some sections turned into canyons and were really hard to scout so we thought we'd just keep those areas in mind.

keep me up to date on that trip. i'll join the SUBW if i have to.

[Dale]

I was going to say, i'd love to join you on the colo trip sometime on (but on a packraft). Ive got the "paddle eastern Australia" book by Mclaughlin and apparently the colo is one of the state's hardcore rivers with up to grade 4 in its upper reaches. It all just depends on which section you're planning on liloing. me and a mate spent 3 days scouting that river but some sections turned into canyons and were really hard to scout so we thought we'd just keep those areas in mind.

keep me up to date on that trip. i'll join the SUBW if i have to.

+1

I'd also be up for this !

Full disclosure my packraft is unrigged so not great for heavy rapids would need to portage. Quite a few years since I abseiled and canyoned as well... So happy to join in if I wasn't slowing everyone down

[FatCanyoner]

Cool. Great to hear others are interested in the Colo. I haven't made any plans (as it is just one of dozens or trips circulating in my mind!) but I'll try and remember to touch base when I do. I'd give myself about a week, probably heading in down the Wolgan from Newnes, then do the Colo from it's start to Bob Turners or similar. I don't think there is any point doing it unless you try and do the whole gorge!

[johnw]

Hi Tim, yes go for it. Although I've not done any real canyoning (not counting walkthrough things like the tourist bit of the Grand Canyon, the slot at Bungonia, Bells Grotto and a few other bits and pieces). But I do some regular MTB riding and occasional rogaining, have done some introductory caving. To me these are extensions of bushwalking. So I also see canyoning as a specialised branch of the activity. Many organised bushwalking groups, including one I belong to, run canyoning trips as part of their regular walking programs. I reckon it would be fine to post trip reports in the trip reports and track notes section. That way you can also put images up if you wish.

[melinda]

Hi administrators,
A 'canyoning' page would by much appreciated!
It could then be subdivided by state.