Canyoning Vacation in Spain

During this Canyoning Vacation in Spain, we will descend the best canyons in the Pyrenees. If you like canyoning then this is the trip for you! A full trip dedicated solely to canyoning! Get ready for lots of rappels, white water, natural waterslides down rocks and ramps, jumps into deep pools, rappelling through waterfalls, hiking, scrambling, climbing, downclimbing, and exploring. All of this in the Pyrenees, which is a mecca for wet canyoning.

The Pyrenees

Spain is a very mountainous country and there are canyons everywhere. The unequivocal center for canyoning in Spain is the Pyrenees. The combination of steep mountains, limestone rock, millions of years of erosion, and constant active water sources have combined to create some of the most amazing canyons in Europe. We will base ourselves at a mountain lodge during this trip and make short daily trips to visit and descend some of the best canyons in this region.

Canyoning Rating System in Spain

Wet canyons in Europe are graded using the French Canyoning classification system. This system is also used in several parts of the world where wet canyoning is practiced. Three variables are taken into account for grading the difficulty of descending canyons for recreational activity:

vertical difficulty: (v1-7), where v1 has short rappels and they are not very vertical, while v7 has steep and long rappels.
aquatic difficulty: (a1-7), where a1 has very low water flow with few complexities, while a7 has very high water flow with complex water movements.
commitment: I-VI, where I has very low commitment level, there are ample escape routes ,and could be completed in a few hours, while VI is very committing with few or no escape routes, the only way out is down, and could take several days to descend.

For example, v2 a3 II. A canyon of this rating would have some short rappels that are not very steep, a medium amount of water flow, and there would be several places where you could escape. The descent could be finished in a few hours.

A canyon rated v4 a5 V is a much more complicated descent with steep and long rappels, very high water flow, and may take a full day or longer to complete.

Canyons: natural and changing environments

Canyons are an ever-changing natural environment. Therefore, the rating systems used for wet canyoning are an approximate guide to what can usually be expected in a particular canyon. However, many natural elements can change the descent of the canyon, such as changes in temperature that cause increased snow melt, periods of rain, flash flooding, rock fall, tree fall, landslides, etc. Therefore, the grading system provides general information to a canyoneer, which needs to be complemented with experience, knowledge of the area, and understanding of the natural world.

The meteorological and environmental conditions will dictate the conditions we'll find in each canyon during this canyoning vacation in Spain. The grades given below, especially the aquatic level, may differ depending on the conditions during the trip. If conditions in a certain canyon are too dangerous an alternative canyon with more favorable conditions will be chosen for that particular day.

Today's canyons are different than yesterday. They are more technical and vertical and there are more rappels. These first two days provide lots of fun but with distinct styles of descent.

Canyon 2. technical difficulty of the canyon: v3 a2 III (see "Canyoning Rating System in Spain" section above for grade explanation).

This morning, the canyon that we will descend is short but sweet. The rappels are straightforward and fun and the geology is beautiful. The river has carved a deep gorge through the rock with several narrow passages and with some large chock stone boulders above our heads.

Canyon 3. technical difficulty of the canyon: v4 a2 III (see "Canyoning Rating System in Spain" section above for grade explanation).

Most of the rappels in this canyon descend directly through waterfalls. The canyon also has several narrow sections to navigate and a few natural waterslides that enter into small pools. This is a beautiful canyon in any conditions. With high water flow it is very exciting. This is one of the classic descents in this region.

Canyon 4. technical difficulty of the canyon: v4 a2 II (see "Canyoning Rating System in Spain" section above for grade explanation).

This descent is quite unique in that nearly all the anchors are natural features, namely trees. The canyon is also located in alpine terrain, providing an interesting and different descent. Generally the canyon is open however there are a few tight squeezes that can be complicated with high water flow. Overall, this is a long and excellent descent and very memorable.

Canyon 5. technical difficulty of the canyon: v5 a2 II (see "Canyoning Rating System in Spain" section above for grade explanation).

The canyon this morning has a well-defined and eroded principal channel. The water that flows through the canyon is funneled into this channel creating a powerful torrent of water. Some rappels obligate the canyoner to enter into this torrent demonstrating the power of falling water for all those that descend this intricate canyon. Overall, a wonderful descent surrounded by forest and hidden mostly out of sight.

Canyon 6. technical difficulty of the canyon: v3 a2 II (see "Canyoning Rating System in Spain" section above for grade explanation).

The canyon we will do in the afternoon is quite different from the one we did in the morning. This canyon is much more open with easy escapes throughout and also located in a more alpine region. There are stunning mountain views and vistas of several other waterfalls and canyons nearby. A beautiful compliment to the canyon we did this morning.

Today we will extend ourselves a little bit and drive about 1.5hr from our basecamp to reach an area with two geologically beautiful canyons.

Canyon 7. technical difficulty of the canyon: v2 a2 II (see "Canyoning Rating System in Spain" section above for grade explanation).

The first canyon today is short but stunning. Beautiful and simple rappels, a natural waterslide, and some simple jumps round out the descent. The natural environment is beautiful.

Canyon 8. technical difficulty of the canyon: v2 a2 II (see "Canyoning Rating System in Spain" section above for grade explanation).

After lunch, we will start our second canyon of the day. This one is a real jewel of geology. Steep and narrow walls of more than 30m high and in places only a few meters wide at the top stretch over our heads. Not much sunlight reaches the depths of this canyon and this creates a microenvironment down below where we will be. When light does enter it dances off the walls and the reflection from the water is impressive. It's one of those places that words can't describe, you need to experience it for yourself. The rappels are simple and straightforward and technically it is an easy descent. A few slides and jumps mixed in and this turns out to be one of the classic descents in the Pyrenees.

Canyon 9. technical difficulty of the canyon: v3 a2 II (see "Canyoning Rating System in Spain" section above for grade explanation).

An open and sunny descent that provides amazing views of the valley and the surrounding high peaks in this area. Straightforward rappels with natural waterslides and several short sections of down climbing and scrambling make for a fun descent this morning.

Canyon 10. technical difficulty of the canyon: v3 a2 III (see "Canyoning Rating System in Spain" section above for grade explanation).

This afternoon we will descend a very fun canyon that doesn't see as much traffic as it's close neighbors. This canyon has a wild feeling to it and it's well-eroded channel provides for some exceptional rappels. A great compliment to the canyon this morning and a superb way to end your canyoning vacation in Spain.

General

Certified canyoning guide, certified rock climbing guide, certified international mountain leader guide: Spanish Mountain Guides Association (AEGM) and Union of International Mountain Leader Associations (UIMLA). Native English, fluent Spanish
Planning and logistics
6 nights accommodation in a mountain lodge (Day 1-6) in the Spanish Pyrenees. The lodge is located in a small town. Rooms at the lodge have 3-7 single beds per room in bunkbed style.
Food is included at the lodge. This includes: 6 dinners (Day 1-6), 6 breakfasts (Day 2-7), and 6 picnic lunches (Day 2-7). Normally, water and wine are included with dinner.
Liability Insurance during the activities
Accident Insurance during the activities
Basic First Aid Kit

Canyoning Material

Wetsuit for each participant
Canyoning Harness
Figure 8 Descender with HMS locking carabiner
Double lanyard with two carabiners
Helmet
Rappel rope
Security rope
Waterproof container for camera, wallet, etc
Canyoning backpack

The following is a list of personal material that each participant should bring.

General

Personal medication
Day pack (20-30L capacity backpack) to carry your personal gear, lunch, and drink.
Water bottle(s)/Camelback, etc. Minimum 1L.
Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
Sunglasses
Sun hat
Headlamp
Appropriate clothing for outdoor adventures in the mountains. Dress in layers, like an onion. The 3-layer system is important and should definitely be utilized during our multi-day trip. Base layer: synthetic thermal clothing to wick away perspiration and keep you dry. Middle layer: fleece jacket to maintain body heat. Outer layer: waterproof/windproof shell to protect against the elements.

Canyoning

One pair of hiking/approach shoes with good rubber soles (i.e. Vibram). These will get wet in the canyon but it is essential that they have good rubber soles because safety in the canyons begins with good footwear.
Personal bathing suit to wear under the wetsuit.

Canyoning Vacation in Spain