Hidden throughout the Arizona desert are slot canyons carved hundreds of feet deep into the geologic ancient stone. These remote canyons see few visitors, and only by the use of ropes for rappelling and rock scrambling can their narrow passages be navigated. Adventures in these canyons are scenic and after completing our Arizona Canyoneering Course you will be able to enjoy descending into their mysterious and magical depths. These canyon trips are perfect for groups and individuals, and are a solid and enjoyable introduction to climbing, rappelling and the Arizona desert.


What is Canyoneering?
A virtual and remote outdoor obstacle course to the extreme! Using ropes, anchor systems, climbing and rappelling techniques, and friction devices, you descend the canyon, section by section. Some sections of the descent require team effort to shuttle or lower packs. Sometimes you may need to squeeze by or scramble over boulders lodged in the canyon. It is generally a day long effort to descend a canyon, but it is an incredible experience that you will never want to forget!


Our job is to give you our best, challenge you mentally and physically, and prepare you to have amazing experiences. Our goal in instructing you is to prepare you to do more canyons on your own. Our instructors are some of the most highly trained in the Southwest, with a backgound of skill sets from the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), Outward Bound and Wilderness Medicine Institute (WMI). Also, their years of instructing both rock climbing and canyoneering in the deep and remote canyons of Arizona and Utah have made them extraordinary guides in their field!


This course is for students committed to becoming the safest and most prepared canyoneers possible. Former students remark not only on their newly gained skill sets, but also on their capacity to solve problems quickly, efficiently, and safely. We foster low impact practices, keen leadership skills, and independence.


If you consolidate the best of canyoneering into two days, the Beginner course would be it. A great primer for those wishing to move forward in the sport of canyoneering, and an in-depth preview of our Canyoneering Course syllabus can be seen below. Our two, three and five day Canyoneering courses are "one of a kind" and offer more skills and a more expereinced staff than you'll find anywhere in the Southwest. Views, skills, challenges, and an amazing sense of accomplishment set our courses apart from everyone else in the business. 


We concentrate on building competence in techniques essential to self-guided canyoneering.* 
...• Harness, tether & carabiner use, knots & hitches 
...• Using and setting natural anchors 
...• Evaluating and slinging fixed anchors 
...• Rope handling, retrieving and connecting 
...• Descending, climbing & rappelling 
...• Emergency rope ascent 
...• Down-climbing & stemming 
...• Floating rappel disconnects 
...• Problem solving and route finding 
...• "Leave No Trace" practices 
.. • Canyon topography and rating systems
.. • Canyon navigation and route finding
.. • Canyoneering gear selection, use and care
.. • Climbing, belaying and hand lines
.. • Utilizing transient anchors for belays and hand lines
.. • How to evaluate and rig specialized canyoneering
......anchors and belay systems
.. • Importance / proper use of tension-releasing hitches
.. • Passive lowering systems
.. • Efficient rope deployment and rigging
.. • Locking off on rappel
.. • Meteorology and flash floods
.. • Canyoneering style and ethics
.. • Ascending fixed ropes
.. • Transitions from rappel to ascend and back to rappel
.. • Escaping potholes

*List and syllabus varies from class to class depending on if it is a 2-day, 3-day or 5-day course. A detail course syllabus will be sent to students participating in the 3 and 4 day Canyoneering courses. Note: From October 15 thru Apri 15 all canyon trips and training will be done in dry canyons.

We provide all the necessary technical gear for your group, but recommend:
...• 2 - 4 quarts of water/person & lunch/snacks for the day
...• Sunscreen
...• T-shirt, swim shorts, light fleece jacket (June - Nov)
...• Warm clothes/fleece (Oct - May)
...• Hat, gloves & rain gear (Oct - May)
...• Camera (with waterproof bag)
...• Hiking pack
...• Wetsuit (April - October rentals are available)



Taking the journey into this course will not only prepare you for many years of self-guided canyoneering, but also introduce you to skill sets which are useful in any outdoor adventure. Nineteen years of fine-tuning have produced thousands of graduates with precise attention to detail, hands-on ability with both theory and application, and strong decision-making expertise. This is a beginner level course, yet it is comprehensive and empowering. Consider this course an investment toward a lifetime of exploration.



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..Cost ..$395 per person (Beginner 2-day course) with 1-day trip ..$595 per person (Intermediate 3-day course) with 1-day trip ..$895 per person (Technical 5-day course - call for dates) .. with 2-day overnight canyon trip ..Dates ..See Schedule Below ..Class Size ..Minimum 2 - Maximum 6 students per Instructor ..Discounts ..REI Members $10 Off / Bring-A-Friend $10 Off ..Ages ..18 and Up ..Equipment ..Included (harness, helmet, gear*) except daypack. ..Location ..Call Us ..Times ..6:00 am - Summer / 7:30 am - Fall /Winter/Spring ..Prerequisites ..Written Test ..Little or no rock climbing experience ..Optional ..Rating ..Course Info ..Pre-Course information materials will be emailed ..to participants within 4-days of course starting date.

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Our instructors are all active climbers, kayakers, canyoneers and backpackers.
Our staff are among the best in the Southwest.
They become full instructors after one year of rigorous training, testing and field work during which they learn ACAS's safety procedures, curriculum, process, technical standards, interpersonal/educational methods, and low impact backcountry techniques.

Our select staff are former instructors or graduates of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), Arizona Mountain Group Association, American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) and/or Outward Bound Wilderness School! Their years of climbing and teaching have made them unequalled in safety and experience. Climbing and wilderness adventures are more than our business, it's our way of life!

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To sign up for our canyoneer course call or email us to check availability. If a course is open click on the On-line Application Form or go to our application and map (meeting point) site, print out both the Application (PDF), Map and Waiver. Fill out the application and fax or mail it to us (don't fax the waiver, just bring it the day of your course).

Note: *Summer courses start at 6:00 a.m. - October thru April Intermediate courses start at 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 depending upon weather at the designated pick-up point. Call us the day before your course starts to verify start time. Bring your own snacks, lunch, water, sunblock and wear appropriate clothing. Camera (disposable), writing pad and pen are recommended.
*Summer courses - May 1 thru September 30.

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