This course exceeded my expectations in that I learned more than I had imagined I would. The structure was perfect and the instructors were knowledgeable and eager to help. We also had the added benefit of having a good group of students so it was fun as well as educational. I definitely recommend North Wash Outfitters if you’re looking to learn canyoneering skills.
Experienced Expert Instructors
Hands-On Approach
Lifesaving Self-Rescue Skills
Learn the Ins and Outs of Self and Partner Rescue With One of Our Best Utah Canyoneering Courses
Our Self and Partner Rescue Course is a 3-day hands-on experience that focuses on providing necessary canyoneering skills and tools to evaluate and perform a self or partner rescue in the field. The course covers different tools that can be utilized, discusses available options, and presents scenarios where tools may be scarce in the field.
We want you to walk away feeling confident in yourself and rescue skills and so our approach is to provide a 100% hands-on learning environment, which will enable you to practice and understand the rescue process.
This course is taught by experienced instructors with decades of experience, who have used these techniques in real-world Search and Rescue situations. The training is conducted in a controlled environment where scenarios can be practiced, techniques can be reviewed, and honed. Our Self & Partner Rescue course is physically demanding, so you can expect to spend the entire time hanging on a rope and practicing the techniques.
The course is not conducted in a classroom; instead, it is a practical course that offers a 1:1 attention approach. Over the years, students from various rope disciplines, including recreational canyoneers, Search and Rescue teams, and fire and rescue members, have participated in the course. We keep the class size small so you get the most personalized experience – giving you the opportunity to get all the answers to your questions, and 1:1 support to truly hone your skills!
Why Choose This Course
Be prepared for all self and partner rescue scenarios after this 3-day hands-on course
Learn the necessary tools and techniques to successfully carry out a self & or partner rescue in the field
Go through real-life examples where tools may be scarce in the field to know what different tools can be utilized in those challenging moments to achieve a successful rescue
Get trained by experts with decades of experience in the field so you are prepared for all possible scenarios - giving you the confidence to lead in all situations
Take advantage of the small class size so that you can get one on one attention to make sure you properly learn self & partner rescue techniques
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Course Details
Course Details
Price
$495 per person
Availability
May 4 – 6, 2023 **COURSE CLOSED**
Duration
3 days
Group size
Maximum 10
Included
- Professional guide and instructors, decades of knowledge and experience teaching and training canyoneering and search and rescue
- All necessary ropes and anchor rigging material
- All necessary rescue gear to be introduced during the course
Not included
- Food and lodging
- Transportation to and from the training site
- Gratuity for Instructors
What to bring
This is a very gear intensive course. Students should at a minimum have their own appropriate canyoneering gear to include, but not limited to:
Harness, helmet, 10+ screwgate locking carabiners, canyoneering* approved rappel device, ascenders*, foot loop system (aider/etrier) for ascending, safety tether/daisy chain/cow’s tail, gloves, and appropriate layered clothing and footwear to be in the elements all three days.
Course staff
1 – 4 depending on class size
What You'll Learn
Canyon rescue hierarchy
Group dynamics considerations and the need of a rescue
Anchor pre-rigging to mitigate rescue necessities
Special rigging considerations for rescue
Anchor considerations in rescue scenarios
Passing a knot on a lower/raise system
Anchor conversions for rescue
Cut and lower
Resolving uneven rope ends
Combination rappel and passive lower systems
Tandem rappels and lowers
Partner pick-off and team based pick-off
Mechanical advantage systems
FAQs
All courses are taught by our guiding staff. Some courses may require us to have an outside instructor come in such as Wilderness First Aid where we offer a certification in CPR by the American Heart Association.
Our scheduled courses are not appropriate for small children. We recommend a minimum age of 12. Students under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Sometimes the best thing to do with children is to schedule a private class where individual attention can be given to the particular age group.
Obviously weather prediction is a tricky thing to do, just watch your local weather report and see how often they get it right. Anything more than a week in advance is a guesstimate. We schedule courses based on historical averages of weather patterns.
Courses are scheduled March – June and September – October. We don’t schedule any courses in November – February due to colder temperatures, and July – August due to hotter temperatures. During the other months we hope that the weather is bearable. Starting about in the middle of June through the first part of October also brings our Monsoon season, although very rarely a problem where we teach the courses. During the warmer temperatures we try to spend more time in the canyons where we can get wet. During the cooler temperatures we try to get through the wet stuff as quickly as possible, but hope that you are also prepared for the temperatures. We have done courses in extreme heat, fairly cold weather, in rain and almost in snow. We hope that no matter what happens you will enjoy your time with us and learn from the material as we work with the weather mother nature gives us.
This being said, if you are willing to bear the weather you are welcome to book a private course any time we have available space.
Have more questions? Check out our FAQ page!
See What Our Customers Say About Us
A really awesome canyoneering course! North Wash Outfitters came recommended to me by some friends and I’m so glad I did it. I feel so much more comfortable with the skills and techniques I learned, the instructors are super knowledgeable and experienced. Great class, great experience, great people. I look forward to taking an advanced class when I’m ready
Jared is super knowledgeable and taught us a lot. I would definitely recommend and will do the advanced course through them as well. Also having multiple instructors was a big help they all had different things to teach us.
I have taken both the beginner and advanced class from Jared and his crew. Their knowledge and teaching methods are superior. They not only teach the techniques in a way that anyone can learn, but they are also patient and make sure you understand. Going through the trainings and the canyons with them you can tell that safety is definitely a value.
Jared is the man you want to learn canyoneering from. Without a doubt, you will not find a better instructor than him. His guides are also incredible at what they do and extremely knowledgeable. The progression of the course is absolutely perfect, going from learning the basics, to practicing what you’ve learned, to real life scenarios in the canyon.
