Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is a beautiful canyon, with a long, sustained constriction. It is very popular because of its easy access. It was one of the first canyons to be visited by Europeans. The track along the rim was built in 1906 and opened in 1907. Grand Canyon begins with a 18m abseil into the canyon and continues with obstacles and swims to the end.

Guiding Ratios

Overall Numbers: Guide to Participants ratio 2:10. Max group size 12.

Spacing of groups: 30min spacing is needed between groups. This rule still applies if MAG is running two groups.

Map and Entry & Exit

Entry: Turn on to Evans Lookout Road and park at the car park for Neates Glen, after about 3km. Follow the track down the hill and into the creek. After about 1.5km the track goes through a tunnel. A few hundred metres further on the canyon starts. A large set of bolts and chains marks the entry point to the canyon.

Exit: You reach a sign with directions to Neates Glen and Evans Lookout, just before a side creek comes in from the right. An alternative exit point up the Old Point Pilcher Track (Faint, on the right at the end of the canyon) will take you to Juggler Carpark.

Above: Entry Photo.

Path starting at Neates Glen Carpark

Above: canyon end and change area

Above: Exit Photo

Final Turn to Evans Lookout

Packing List

Client Gear:
Wetsuits - 1 per client
Canyon Pack - 1 per client
Dry bag -1 per client
Harness + descending device- 1 per client
Helmet - 1 per client

Ropes and Rigging:
25m Static Rope - 2
20m Static Rope - 1
5m Safety Line -1
Rigging Carabiners - 6
Rope Protections - 2

Safety:
First Aid Kit
PLB
Bothy Bag Shelter

Site Specific Briefing

The Guide articulates Grand Canyon will take 3-5 hours to complete.
The Guide articulates the skills and actions required for Grand Canyon. These include;
- Bushwalking in difficult terrain
- Being in a remote area and exposed to cold climates
- Rock scrambling and short rock climbs
- Abseiling on difficult formations, on wet/slippery rocks
- Compulsory swimming in cold and/or dark water
- Negotiating narrow or confined spaces

For further briefing information click through the below steps.

Step 1: Canyon Introduction

Step 2: Canyon Harness & Helmet Briefing

Step 3: How To Canyon

Rigging Grand Canyon

Abseil (18m)

Safety Lines of 2m to be attached as clients move around safety fence (5m safety line)
Main abseil line is rigged with a releasable munter mule. 5 Meters releasable rope. (25m Rope)
A top belay is to be used for every abseil. (25m Rope)
Secondary Abseil line for client ledge management, can be static system. (20m Rope)
If three guides are present: 1st guide runs the abseil from the top, 2nd manages clients over ledge on secondary abseil line and 3rd receives clients at the bottom of abseil.
If two guides are present: 1st runs the abseil from the top, 2nd manages clients over ledge on secondary abseil line. 2nd guide visually and verbally manages clients at the bottom of the abseil from the ledge.

Obstacles In Grand Canyon

Scrambles:

There are a number of down-scramble obstacles within the Grand Canyon system. They can all be safely managed with the following principles:

The need for spotting during the activity must be considered. Review the following:

- the likelihood of falling
- the fall height involved
- the hazards within the fall zone
- the body orientations of the person that the holds permit

Water Entry from down scramble obstacles may not be conducive to spotting. For water entry throughout the canyon a slide entry is preferred. Review the following:

the length of the slide involved
the depth of and obstacles within the fall zone
the impact forces when entering the water
equipment being carried impacting the slide

Swimming through final pool:

Safely Enter all swims with a slide in technique. Grand Canyon water entries can be narrow and shallow. Do no jump.
Follow the "Sustained Swimming" brief on the How to Canyon page for all swims.

Emergency Exit Points

Old Point Pilcher

TBC WHY AND WHEN IS THIS EXIT USED

Phone Reception

Neats Glen Parking Area: Excellent Reception
Grand Canyon walking track: No Reception
Inside Grand Canyon: No Reception
Walking out to Evans Lookout: Poor Reception
Evans Lookout/Carpark: Excellent Reception

Interpretations

Blue Mountains Ash/Eucalyptus oreades:

Eucalyptus oreades is a tree that typically grows to a height of 40 m (130 ft), with a trunk up to 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) in diameter at chest height, but does not form a lignotuber. It has smooth white or yellow bark that is shed in strips, leaving a 'skirt' of thicker bark for up to 4 m (13 ft) of the base. The species name is derived from Oreades, Greek mountains nymphs, referring to the habitat of this species.^[2] oreades "of the mountains".Mature trees over 20 years of age do have a skirt of thicker corky bark which helps them resist low-intensity fires

Superb Lyre Bird: Often seen on the walk out or, during drought, in the final section of the canyon.
The Superb Lyrebird is renowned for its outstanding ability to mimic almost any sound, and the calls of most birds of the forest are imitated, as are many other sounds, from barking dogs to car alarms to mobile phones. It is also famous for its stunning courtship display, in which the male lyrebird fans and shimmers his stupendous tail feathers while prancing, strutting and jumping about on a stage of leaf litter. By combining his mimicry and dancing ability, the male hopes to attract a mate.

Toileting

Toilets located at the Evans Lookout carpark. Only accessible before or after canyon day.

BACK: Canyon Home

NEXT: Empress Canyon

Page updated

Report abuse