You know the Boy Scout motto. Be prepared. Being prepared—or not—while canyoneering can be the difference between life and death. It is not time to be a minimalist. At the very least, everyone in the group should have their own helmet, harness, locking carabiner, and rappel device. If a route recommends a wetsuit, there's probably a very good reason for it. And everyone should be competent to rappel on the size and type of rope being used.

This is the standard technical gear that I bring and recommend everyone should have with them—and have experience using—on each adventure.

Must Haves

• helmet
• harness
• locking carabiners, screw gate locking (1)
• rappel device
• dry bag(s) for everything you don't want getting wet
  • several small ones are better than one large one

Possibles Bag

• individual first aid kit
  • adhesive bandages (5)
  • 3x3 sterile gauze pads (3)
  • Small roll of adhesive tape
  • Moleskin 3”x6”
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Non-latex disposable gloves (1 pair)
  • CPR barrier (1)
  • Medications
    • Advil (ibuprofen)
    • Tylenol (acetimenophan)
    • Aspirin
    • Benadryl
• knife w/ 3” blade and serrations
• lighter
• 30ft 5mm accessory cord
• Restop 2
• toilet paper
• Quart size freezer bags(2)
  • carrying out trash, protect maps, etc.
• duct tape
• bug repellant
• lip balm
• emergency blanket
• small headlamp
• sunscreen
• water purification

Footwear

• good shoes with grippy soles
• NO SANDALS!

Clothing

• gloves appropriate for rappelling
• quick dry underwear
• quick dry shorts or pants with a reinforced bottom
• quick dry shirt with pockets
• wool socks
• ball cap and/or beanie
• knee and elbow pads are recommended
• for cool, wet, or windy conditions
  • fleece jacket
  • wind pants
  • wind shirt
  • ultralight rain jacket

Backpack

• minimum of 35 liters for leaders
• minimum of 20 liters for everyone else

Wetsuit (if recommended)

• Full 3mm
• 3mm neoprene socks

Food & Hydration

• Small, easy to eat, high energy snacks
  • Clif bars
  • Kind bars
  • Non-melting trail mix (nuts, dried fruit, etc.)
• NO water bladders!
• Nalgene water bottles (2–4L for long canyons)
  • with duct tape wrapped around one
• Rewarding food and cold beverages at the vehicle

Additional Leader Gear

There should be at least two "Group Leaders" on a trip. In addition to everything listed above, every group leader should also bring...

• extra rappel device(s)
• ascenders for emergency use
• slings, minimum of
  • (2) standard length (60 cm/2 ft)
  • (1) double-length (120 cm/4 ft)
• 5/16 in/8 mm quick links/rapides (minimum of 3)
• 30–50 ft of one-inch tubular webbing in natural colors
• Route beta, map, compass, and GPS
  • Every group leader should study and know everything they can about the route beta and have their own copy with them on the trip

Group Gear

• Rope
  • Thicker is safer, more durable, and heavier than thin
  • Bright colors are better for photographs
  • Bring at least two ropes appropriate for the rappels expected on the route
  • Full set—choose a size/brand and focus on that. If you can, get a different color for each length you own.
  • 120 ft (2)
  • 230 ft (2)
  • 300 ft
  • 200 ft pull cord (1)
  • bags for each