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Advanced Canyoneering Anchors Course in Utah Wilderness - Hanksville

Advanced Canyoneering Anchors Course in Utah Wilderness

Salt Lake Citychallenging

Difficulty

challenging

Duration

2 days

Fitness Level

Participants should be in good physical condition with experience in backcountry hiking and ropework.

Overview

Master technical anchor systems in Utah’s red rock canyons with this focused two-day rigging course near Hanksville. Elevate your canyoneering skills and safety for challenging descents.

Ropes Course
Hanksville, Utah

Advanced Anchors & Rigging Course - UT

2-Day Course • 2025 Dates: Mar. 22-23, Jun. 21-22 & Sep. 13-14

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Adventure Photos

Advanced Anchors & Rigging Course - UT photo 1

About This Adventure

Elevate your canyoneering skills with our Advanced Anchor Course in Utah's stunning wilderness. Over two days, master complex anchor systems and essential physics, ensuring you're equipped to tackle any canyon challenge. Join fellow enthusiasts at a central basecamp for hands-on instruction and a comprehensive toolkit to enhance your adventures.

Description

If you are a passionate canyoneer and are ready to take your anchor building skills to the next level, our Advanced Anchor Course is just for you. This course will provide you with the requisite skills to solve advanced anchor problems characteristic of many wild and remote canyons. Our goal is to provide you with a robust and comprehensive toolkit so you can handle virtually any anchor challenge you encounter.

Course instruction will focus on the proper setup, execution and sequencing of the following anchor systems:

  • Advanced Anchor Types - Retrievable - Sand Trap - Water Trap - Pot Shot Tower - Releasable - Fiddle Stick - CEM Releasable Knot - Pack Drag - Specialized - Directional Wart - Dynamic Human/Meat Anchor

The course will also provide a review of anchor construction fundamentals including:

  • Physics - Force - Magnitude - Direction - Balance - Reduction - Static vs Dynamic - Friction - Composition - Geometry - Optimization
  • Equalization
  • Redundancy
  • Extension
  • Strength (Bomber vs Marginal)
  • Efficiency

Basic static anchors will be reviewed as necessary and appropriate during the course. These anchors include:

  • Tree Wrap
  • Boulder Wrap
  • Pinch
  • Knot Chock
  • Rock Chock
  • Deadman
  • Cairn
  • Bolted

An overview of the different ethics and prevailing practices among different regions and land agencies will also be presented.

Prerequisites:

You must have previous technical canyoneering experience to participate in this course.

Tuition for the course

$479 per person.

Duration

2-Day Course

Location

Dirty Devil/Robbers Roost Wilderness, Utah

Note: This course will be taught from a central canyoneering basecamp that is accessible by vehicle. Cost includes instruction, course handouts, and all team canyoneering equipment, i.e. ropes, webbing, and rigging. Recommended gear that you should bring includes harness, helmet, rappel device, several locking carabiners, ascending gear, and appropriate footwear and clothing. Cost for the course does not include lodging, meals, transportation, personal equipment, and gratuities (tips) for instructors and guides.

Adventure Tips

Check Weather for Flash Floods

Slot canyons in Utah can rapidly flood; always verify weather conditions before heading out.

Practice Knot Tying Ahead

Review key knots like figure-eight and clove hitch to maximize hands-on training benefits.

Bring Layered Clothing

Days can get hot and nights cool; layering helps maintain comfort throughout the course.

Carry Extra Water

Hydration is critical in desert environments, so bring ample water for all training sessions.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Desert bighorn sheep
  • Western rattlesnake

History

Hanksville is located near areas historically traversed by early explorers and desert dwellers dating back centuries.

Conservation

The course promotes Leave No Trace principles to minimize impact on fragile desert landscapes.

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Adventure Hotspots in Hanksville

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Climbing Harness

Essential

Essential for practicing anchor setups and rappelling safely.

Helmet

Essential

Protects against rockfall and bumps during technical rigging.

Gloves

Improves grip and protects hands while handling ropes.

Hydration Pack

Essential

Keeps you hydrated during strenuous desert training.

summer specific