Canyoneering Chicks

---

 Hello, I started canyoneering 5 years ago.  I quickly became addicted to this challenging, exhilarating sport.  I have completed over 125 canyons. Getting out and spending time with mother nature is how I re-charge.  I love the social aspect of canyoneering, the problem solving, and the challenge. The harder the canyon the more exciting! Along the way I noticed there are many difficulties for women involved in this sport.  In this picture I am wearing a men’s harness and men’s canyoneering shoes!!!!.  I learned the best way to survive gearing up for canyoneering was to get tips from my fellow female canyoneers.  I love everything about canyoneering but the best part for me is canyonnering with amazingly skilled female canyoneers. 

I found the sport of canyoneering four years ago and have been hooked ever since! Canyoneering combines the best of some of my favorite outdoor sports, from backpacking and hiking, to climbing and bouldering. The best part about canyoneering is the teamwork! Canyoneering is a team sport, and nothing is better than a team of strong women problem-solving and working together to emotionally and physically elevate each other while safely descending a canyon. The comradery, positive attitudes, and overall support of each other in the canyons is what drives our organization’s mission.  Since discovering canyoneering, I’ve committed myself to learning safe practice standards and techniques from the elders of the sport. I teach in my professional life, and my adventuring life is no different. As a canyon leader I in the American Canyoneering Association (ACA), I have the opportunity to pass on the skills I’ve learned to other female canyoneers. I’m a member of several community and nonprofit boards in the state of Utah and hope to bring that experience and knowledge to Canyoneering Chicks as we strive to empower and promote women in canyons. 

I was 19 when I dropped into my first canyon, Leprechaun main in the North wash. I was on a climbing trip with the outdoor club and I hardly even knew how to rappel.  Well, I squished my body through that little slot with a smile on my face and I ripped the butt of my pants wide open. I was one happy camper! I did a handful of canyons after that but didn’t really have the skills or means to run canyons by myself so I stopped for about 4 years and focussed on rock climbing. When I started grad school a handful of fellow students invited me along to run Pine Creek and Spry canyon in Zion. I had never been in a wet canyon before and I was absolutely in love. Since starting back up a few years ago I’ve been able to run some amazing slots with truly incredible people. Some of my favorite canyons include Holy Cow in Escalante, Upper Uncompagre in Ouray, Checkerboard in Zion and so many more. Canyoneering has become a big part of my life and I am excited to keep learning, exploring, and meeting new people 

I grew up going to Arches National park. Spent days exploring the fins, scrambling up rocks and climbing the cracks. I’ve loved all things outdoors. I dabbled in lots of things from skiing to backpacking, snowmobiling, and lots of different sports. It wasn’t until 10 years ago when some friends took us through the subway via russels gulch. First time on actual rappel. Fell in love instantly. All I could think of was when could they take me again. Year past and we got in our second canyon, Yankee Doodle. We kept talking about buying our own gear and getting into when we signed up for dark horse zion rendezvous. We bought the minimum gear and had a blast running Zion canyons for 4 days. Attended the following year and felt like we could take ourselves. By attending the ACA and canyoneering chicks events I’ve gained the confidence and ability feel I can go out on my own. I love the canyoneering chicks events seeing all strong women helping woman. Building each other up and learning from each other. 

A few years ago, with some friends, I started engaging in what some might call ‘hiking with ropes’. Going a little further, dropping a little deeper, climbing a little higher than maybe a standard hiker would. The males in the group would let me do very little rigging, rope work, navigating – they weren’t intending to be mean about it, but I can’t possibly get myself out of this situation if something happens to them. Then, I got needlessly stuck in a slot canyon! I got out, but it took me HOURS! I knew just enough to be dangerous! No more putting it off, it’s past time to get some real training!
So I consider that I’ve been REALLY canyoneering since February 2017. My first official “real training” from ACE, (Association for Canyoneering Education). I’ve been hooked ever since. I’ve participated in training for Technical Canyoneering, Advanced Canyoneering, Canyon Leadership, Canyon Rescue and Swiftwater Canyoneering. I learn the most when I canyoneer with other women who let me guide and do the rigging. I have completed over 120 unique canyon descents now and many of my male friends come to me to guide them through canyons! Still, none of it comes naturally to me – I have to work hard to set up my systems, to solve the problems – but with training, practice, sound, conservative decision making and the help of trusted team members, it’s all safe, beautiful, fun and empowering! Gear up – let’s go! 

bio coming soon.