I was so excited! Today was the day we were going canyoning! I’d finally get to do some abseiling, as well as some rock climbing, bouldering and other exciting activities. At the West Oz Active headquarters we were kitted out in wet suits and safety gear; the excitement building. We were told the tour was very physical and required a pretty decent level of fitness. I thought my level of fitness was ok, and adrenalin would get me through the rest. Then I got thrown a massive backpack and told to carry it along with a massive tubing tube (like the inner tube of a tyre) whilst climbing down a steep rocky canyon! What did I get myself into? I thought. And I had my doubts that I would make it through the day. But the adrenalin did kick in, and I hauled on that backpack, tossed the tube onto my shoulder, and started descending into the canyon. I felt like superwoman! So strong that I could take on the world! Truthfully, I think the adrenalin did help, but also the work outs I was doing to get in shape prior to the trip helped too. So don’t be fooled, you really do need to be in good shape for this tour.
The rest of the group greeted me at the bottom to ensure I was unharmed. It sounded like it looked even worse from their viewpoint than it had for me. But we were all pleased I was unharmed; even if my ego was a little bruised. Progressing along the canyons we were involved in many activities. One of the most challenging was getting in and out of the floating tubes with a backpack on; and remaining on the tube for that matter. It was pretty comical watching the tallest guy on our trip, Mark, plonk into his tube and instantly capsize it. The next try he lasted on the tube a little longer, teetering from side to side, before smacking head first into the water again. Third time lucky?... He got his bum squeezed into the tube, but it kept tilting threateningly backwards, until slowly he went legs over head with a massive splash. Giving up, he (and most of the group) resorted to lying on their stomachs to get across the river. But we had many more chances in order to perfect our tubing techniques. Once we were comfortable and afloat, it was pleasant paddling along the river that flowed through the fissure. In one spot where a white old gum tree hangs across the river, we stopped to appreciate its beauty and take in the silence and solitude of the place. I closed my eyes and I could hear little sounds that are easy to miss; the soft wind across rock and through the tree; a small plop as something fell into the water; the chirp of a bird; the sounds of the Karijini National Park. Once the tubing was over and our tyres deflated, the adventure was far from over. We climbed up a waterfall, with a little hand-over-hand rope assistance. But it was the real rock-climbing that excited me the most. And this time I got to go first! http://www.westozactive.com.au/canyoning/
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Photo used under Creative Commons from Thomas James Caldwell