Canyoneering Terminology R-Z
R rating Risky A subjective rating system used to rate canyons that are made more hazardous than an average canyon because of keeper potholes, dangerous and/or exposed downclimbing, long exposure to cold water, and/or the need for advanced skills in order to safely descend.
Rap-N-Swim Canyon A beginner canyon, the only difficulty in the canyon is rappelling and swimming.
Rappel Descending a rope under control, known as abseiling outside the USA.
Runner A loop of tape or webbing either sewn or tied, Aka sling
Sally Style Wearing your wetsuit on the approach or exit of a canyon, usually from or to the car.
Scrambling Easy climbing, usually without a rope.
Scree Loose rocks and stones that cover the slope below a cliff.
Search & Rescue The people who put their life on the line when you screw up.
Siege Style Canyoneering which involves setting up fixed ropes, fixing lines of retreat, providing rim support crews to extract or help if the route becomes difficult.
Sling What Americans call a runner.
Slogging The extremely tedious and monotous cross-country travel on foot to get to the canyon or get back to the car. Example Neon Canyon
Smearing Placing as much of the tread of the boot on the surface of a rock to create as much friction as possible
Soloing Canyoneering alone. Not the safest thing to do
Stemming Involves a hand and foot on each side a symmetric approach. Usually facing forward. The catch-all term for bridging, chimneying, etc.
Subway A wide section underneath a mae west slot. A subway allows for easy passage under a mae west.
Swami A climbing harness constructed from webbing.
Talus Large blocks of rock. A coarse variation of scree.
Traverse Horizontal climbing.
Truck A very solid anchor ie able to hold a truck. Synonym to bomb-proof.
Webbing Strong flat strip of nylon.
X rating Extreme A subjective rating system used to rate canyons that are made more hazardous than an average canyon by the presence of keeper potholes, dangerous and/or exposed downclimbing, long exposure to cold water, and/or the need for advanced ropework in order to safely descend. A major mishap will result in death.
Yosemite Decimal System The North-American climbing rating system.
Zip Line A method of transporting gear or canyoneers to the bottom of a rappel that terminates in deep water. The zip line consists of a taut rope, and begins at the top of the drop, and ends at the base of the rappel, just clear of the water obstacle.
