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Canyons involve a lot of sliding, scraping and general thrashing. Which ends up with a lot of scraping and thrashing of the gear and clothing upon which that sliding is done. Harnesses, shorts, wetsuits - they all get destroyed on a regular basis.

The ShuffleButt2 offers the best protection (Vinyl Laminate) where it is needed the most (Leg Loops), while maintaining the more-comfortable 1000d Air-Textured Nylon coated fabric for the upper. Bonus for me is that it is a LOT easier to sew.

For the Shuffle or Scuttle to fit on your harness, the leg loops must open all the way, so the leg loop can be threaded through the leg loop sleeve. On some harnesses, you will have to monkey with the leg loop hold up straps to get the waistbelt through the waistbelt sleeve… or just cut them off… but it is best to maintain the leg loop hold up straps.

People doing flowing water canyons prefer the ScuttleButt… People doing non-flowing canyons will likely prefer the ShuffleButt.

A TALL version is available that adds 2” to the height. This will work better for people taller than about 6’2”; and for people with fashionably bountiful butt-cheeks. These are made with wider sleeves for the waist and leg loops to make it compatible with ‘super-comfy’ harnesses like the BD Long-Haul Harness.

A Camera/Phone Case for Canyoneering

For waterproof cameras, a neoprene case to hold your equipment handy and protect it from bumps and bruises. A bit of mesh at the bottom of the back to let water drain out. The full length of the front is covered with Cordura - some 500d, some 1000d.

Of course, phones replaced waterproof cameras, and the PP is wonderful for keeping your phone handy during outdoor activities. Keep your phone out of the skanky canyon water, but for canyon action other than swims, waterfalls and jumps, it seems to work pretty well.

Note: many phones are now ‘waterproof’. This definitely does not make them ‘skanky-pothole-water-proof’. We advise against thinking so.

I melt in the heat. Thus, I consider myself an expert on the functional aspects of sun hoodies — and I suspect no on would consider me an expert on the fashion aspects. Focus on Function yields:

• Very light, breathable, very white fabric. Diaphanous

• 88% polyester 12% spandex - very stretchy

• Pony tail exit on both man’s and woman’s

• Hood big enough to go over a helmet

• Man’s Medium weighs 245 g / 8.7 oz

Protect Your Hands - Better Gloves

DHG PowerGrab Gloves are the preferred canyoneering gloves of outdoors-persons plateau-wide. The grey, latex-based coating is sticky, but not too sticky, and pretty durable. Works pretty good on rappels (but this is not really a rappelling glove). Very good at protecting your hands from the rock, when doing scrapey/rough canyons. The Polyester/acrylic/cotton knit body of the glove is warm when dry, and not incredibly freezing when wet. Dries... uh, slowly.

Imlay Canyon Dry Kegs are a great way to keep stuff dry. They protect your gear from water, and, with proper padding, from physical damage. Faster and easier to use than drybags, they last longer too. They fit well in larger packs, and in all Imlay Canyon Gear Packs except the Leprechaun.

DO NOT put them at the bottom of the pack. Put a drybag down there for padding. Putting the Keg at the bottom could crack the Keg Lid, and will tear up the pack.

Canyons involve a lot of sliding, scraping and general thrashing. Which ends up with a lot of scraping and thrashing of the gear and clothing upon which that sliding is done. The harness, the shorts, the wetsuit - they all get destroyed on a regular basis.

The current version features Kodra top section around the waistbelt. A little lighter, a little more comfortable, allows a little more options in color, and helps with the price.

People doing flowing water canyons prefer the ScuttleButt… People doing non-flowing canyons will likely prefer the ShuffleButt.

A TALL version is available that adds 2” to the height. This will work better for people taller than about 6’2”; and for people with fashionably bountiful butt-cheeks.

Peregrine Tough Dry Bag

These are nice, pretty light drybags from Peregrine. Made from special 210d Cordura Ripstop Fabric, they are seamtaped for waterproofness. This is a more-reliable construction method than welding… well, at least than the welding I had on my Imlay drybags. No Valve. Nicely made roll top

Jan 10, 2026: Looks like Peregrine has discontinued these, so I will be looking for a replacement. We will try to keep the website up to date, but we are not real good at that.

This is a car-camping delight, shortening one's morning walk and leaving our canyoneering trailheads much less-fertilized. The Commode is basically an outdoor toilet: a plastic bucket with a toilet-shaped seat. Hang the inner bag of the Restop inside commode, sit, enjoy. Safely and conveniently pack out your poop. Part of keeping the canyons clean. All the cool kids are doing it! SERIOUSLY. This is very convenient, seals tight against smells, and sure goes a long way toward keeping our heavily-used canyoneering trailheads and campsites un-gross. 

Using the Restop2 bags makes management and cleanup easy. May I recommend no more than 5 "hits" per bag. Comes with 6 Restops as a starter kit…

NEW!! We are converting our program to stainless, with the help of HowNOT2, starting with 6mm and 7mm. These are sourced from Climbing Taiwan who does a great QA job - and yet the price is about half of what we previously had to charge. And then tariffs, means the price is about the same.

The new 6mm LONG rapides are especially nice because they open wide, so they can fit over honking glue in bolts, etc. We have added 7mm LONG rapides also. Yes, the long ones are heavier than the normal ones… So we are also carrying the normal 7mm galvanized steel Maillons Rapides, suitable for the desert, including Zion.

7mm and 8mm: Genuine Maillons Rapides from France - with quality control and excellent workmanship! The standard for leaving as 'rings' on rappel anchors. Steel holds up to wet sandy ropes a whole lot better than aluminium. Discounted when buying 10 at a time. aka Rapid Link Rapide Quick Link Ring Q/RL RL

Prices up a LOT with “the modern world”. Moving steel from France or Taiwan to the USA has become expensive. Though I still take a short margin since RLs are left in place as a donation to the community. (If you want links to not be harvested put a drop of superglue on the threads as you install them.)

NOTE: counts on availability are screwy because we are selling 10-packs and singles from the same stock. So if what you want does not show as available, drop us an email and we can adjust how we present it on the website - assuming we have some in stock.

Sold by the foot - lengths up to 40' will be shipped as one piece. Longer pieces normally will, but not guaranteed (unless you ask). Or buy a 300' spool!

I only sell black these days, as black is ALWAYS a natural color, and may soon be required by some land managers in the future. It is the least obtrusive single color. Black - the NEW Orange!

We also might have some pieces already cut… easier for us if you order one of these, so they are offered at a slight discount.

The FiddleStick is an advanced canyoneering anchor tool. It is a new approach to retrievable anchoring, opening up a wider range of possible anchors, and making it possible to descend more canyons and leave nothing behind (aka “ghosting”). As an ADVANCED anchor tool, it requires skill, practice and understanding to use safely. Even when used properly, it has the possibility of failing, resulting in severe injury or death, or being stranded in a canyon with your ropes hopelessly stuck.

I was selling both my FiddleStick and BluuGnome’s Smooth Operator, but now the Smoothie can only be ordered directly from Luke at BG-Gear.com

Both are generally used with an Amsteel pull string that pairs (threesomes?) with the SECO-050 rope bag.

The SandTrap, invented by Steve Woodford of Springdale Utah, is an interesting device for creating a retrievable anchor any time you have sand available.

Fill it with sand, then rap off it. Pull the retrieval line to spill the sand and retrieve the Trap, leaving nothing behind other than displaced sand. Ingenious! The only problem that I see with it is that I didn't invent it!!!

Used for rigging contingency anchors. Couple options which all function much the same:

Apparently, there is a world-wide shortage on these. So I got what I got…

Cypher-Otto Mini Figure 88 -- anodized. Another real nice basic Figure 8 for rigging anchors. 3.4 ounces / 97 grams

Kong Bonatti - Polished 8 -- Another real nice basic Figure 8 for rigging anchors. 4.0 ounces / 110 grams

Kong Bonatti - Anodized RED Classic 8 - as above, but in red.

Rappel rings provide a smooth metal surface for the interaction between rope and rappel anchor. These rings have nice large radii for an easy retrieval. The stainless steel ring is the burliest for high traffic locations. The aluminum Cypher ring is light and will hold up well except where the canyon is expected to be sandy - meaning, they cut fairly quickly by sandy ropes. Rapid links are used for this same purpose and are more commonly carried because they can be opened.

NOW IN STOCK!!

The Grand Canyon is a huge and amazing place, and Todd has built a huge and amazing book that describes the backcountry as never before. Technical stuff - for sure. Non-technical stuff - a TON of that stuff too. With amazing beautiful photographs. Lots of em. 

It is hard to say enough about how beautiful this book is. Ten Stars! So good. 

New revised printing 2024 is split into two volumes for easy sharing; includes numerous updates and more pictures.

Zion Rocks!

Back in Stock!!

My canyoneering guidebook covers canyons in Zion and the adjacent lands. There are 9 on-trail hikes, 8 off-trail (non-technical) canyons, and 32 technical canyon adventures detailed, a few of which have not been widely publicized previously. Plus an extensive introduction to assist first-time visitors to Zion, discussions of local canyoneering ethics and some other things that might help keep noobs alive. A couple pages of accident reports in the back suggest some things you might not WANT to do.

Nice guidebook to the stuff around Las Vegas. Lots of maps, pictures, drawings, all infused with Rick's wonderful humor. A small book that packs a lot of value.

Ira Lewis has taken over the San Juan Mountains of Colorado Canyoning exploration and guidebook project - and the result is this FABULOUS amazing beautiful guidebook. Features 55 canyon routes in Ouray and surrounding areas including Silverton, Durango, Pagosa Springs, Telluride and Marble. Many pictures, many topos.

Map and Guide to Zion National Park's Subway hike, the BESTEST hike in Zion.

 This fold-up 13" x 19" double-sided guide has the most thorough and carefully edited description for the Subway EVER! Well, at least *I* think so. Same description as on the CUSA website guide, printed on non-waterproof (but wetting-resistant) coated paper stock. Lots and lots of text (tried to squeeze in everything) in great detail.

Map and Guide to Zion National Park's Subway hike, the BESTEST hike in Zion.

 This fold-up 13" x 19" double-sided guide has the most thorough and carefully edited description for the Subway EVER! Well, at least *I* think so. Same description as on the CUSA website guide, printed on non-waterproof (but wetting-resistant) coated paper stock. Lots and lots of text (tried to squeeze in everything) in great detail.

Mike has turned the Ouray book over to CanyoneeringUSA Press, and Ira Lewis and Andrew Humphreys kindly made a bunch of updates, and here we are. Access and anchor information for many of the classic canyons has been updated... but not a full 3rd edition - which …

UPDATE: Ira Lewis has recently produced a beautiful book that covers Ouray plus quite a bit of the surrounding area, under the name San Juan Canyoning. This book is still in print and is focused almost entirely on Ouray - and is less expensive.

In July 1993, five teenage boys and three men on an LDS youth group attempted a canyoneering trip in Kolob Creek of Zion National Park. The upstream Kolob Reservoir was releasing a ton per second of water through the canyon. Though this flow surprised them at the canyon's entrance, the leader believed that the park's rangers had assured them that their trip was safe, so they continued. Two of the adult leaders quickly drowned; the remaining man and five boys were trapped in the canyon for five days until the Park Service rescued them.

A Camera/Phone Case for Canyoneering

For waterproof cameras, a neoprene case to hold your equipment handy and protect it from bumps and bruises. A bit of mesh at the bottom of the back to let water drain out. The full length of the front is covered with Cordura - some 500d, some 1000d.

Of course, phones replaced waterproof cameras, and the PP is wonderful for keeping your phone handy during outdoor activities. Keep your phone out of the skanky canyon water, but for canyon action other than swims, waterfalls and jumps, it seems to work pretty well.

Note: many phones are now ‘waterproof’. This definitely does not make them ‘skanky-pothole-water-proof’. We advise against thinking so.

Imlay Canyon Dry Kegs are a great way to keep stuff dry. They protect your gear from water, and, with proper padding, from physical damage. Faster and easier to use than drybags, they last longer too. They fit well in larger packs, and in all Imlay Canyon Gear Packs except the Leprechaun.

DO NOT put them at the bottom of the pack. Put a drybag down there for padding. Putting the Keg at the bottom could crack the Keg Lid, and will tear up the pack.

A big fancy float to keep things aloft.

Vinyl coated for deluxe feel and durability. BIGGER than normal size to provide more floatation. Bright color so if it does sink, you might be able to see it in the murky water. Use on Cameras, hooks, etriers - anything you might drop in a pothole and regret.

OOOPS! New ones came in, and they are tiny! Like, big enough for one little house key. I thought I re-ordered the good ones —- apparently NOT! I will have them available again once I find suitably large floats for hooks.

2mm Neoprene Socks from NEOsport

If you are planning to a canyon with some water in the summer where your feet will get wet, but the temperature is warm, these are great neo socks. This is a very strechy, squishy, comfy neoprene sock, that fits well.

Neoprene socks are an essential item for canyoneering. They keep the feet warm, but also keep sand away from your tender footsies. Size your shoes to fit over a neo sock.

Neoprene socks (and all neoprene items) are in the Supply Chain Difficulties category. We are doing what we can to keep things in stock…

Warm socks for COLD water. If you are planning on doing a cold water canyon such as Heaps, or Imlay, or you just always have cold feet (like Shirlz) these are the perfect neo socks for you. This is a very stretchy, squishy, comfy neoprene sock that very fits well. The 5mm is thicker than other neo socks so be sure your shoes have enough space to accomodate them.

 Neoprene socks are an essential item for canyoneering. They keep the feet warm, but also keep sand away from your tender footsies.

This product is for transferring money to us for a custom order or service request without shipping fees or sales taxes. For instance, for paying for items added to an order.

Choose “quantity” as the number of dollars you want to send us. Thanks!

Give the gift of canyoneering to a friend and let them choose what they need most!

Purchasing this digital gift card creates a unique code. The gift card recipient can enter this code at checkout to subtract the gift card value from their order total.

If you want, we can mail or email you a fancy piece of paper to make the whole thing a bit more formal, but most people will just email the gift card with code to their friend. This gift card never expires.

This product is for transferring money to us in 100 dollar increments, for a custom order or service request without shipping fees or sales taxes. For instance, for paying for items added to an order.

Choose “quantity” as the number of hundred-dollars you want to send us. Thanks! You can add more than one.

This product is for transferring money to us for a custom order or service request without shipping fees or sales taxes. For instance, for paying for items added to an order.

Choose “quantity” as the number of CENTS you want to add to your dollars. Thanks!

Canyons involve a lot of sliding, scraping and general thrashing. Which ends up with a lot of scraping and thrashing of the gear and clothing upon which that sliding is done. Harnesses, shorts, wetsuits - they all get destroyed on a regular basis.

The ShuffleButt2 offers the best protection (Vinyl Laminate) where it is needed the most (Leg Loops), while maintaining the more-comfortable 1000d Air-Textured Nylon coated fabric for the upper. Bonus for me is that it is a LOT easier to sew.

For the Shuffle or Scuttle to fit on your harness, the leg loops must open all the way, so the leg loop can be threaded through the leg loop sleeve. On some harnesses, you will have to monkey with the leg loop hold up straps to get the waistbelt through the waistbelt sleeve… or just cut them off… but it is best to maintain the leg loop hold up straps.

People doing flowing water canyons prefer the ScuttleButt… People doing non-flowing canyons will likely prefer the ShuffleButt.

A TALL version is available that adds 2” to the height. This will work better for people taller than about 6’2”; and for people with fashionably bountiful butt-cheeks. These are made with wider sleeves for the waist and leg loops to make it compatible with ‘super-comfy’ harnesses like the BD Long-Haul Harness.

Resurrected, using a commercially available sling. The new Clipster3 is a great, simple safety leash.

Doing canyons, you're using ropes; from time to time you gotta clip into things. There are other products that work OK, but are heavy and expensive. Those from a climbing background often use a daisy chain, but it is awkward and long, and you don't really need the adjustability of length.

Canyons involve a lot of sliding, scraping and general thrashing. Which ends up with a lot of scraping and thrashing of the gear and clothing upon which that sliding is done. The harness, the shorts, the wetsuit - they all get destroyed on a regular basis.

The current version features Kodra top section around the waistbelt. A little lighter, a little more comfortable, allows a little more options in color, and helps with the price.

People doing flowing water canyons prefer the ScuttleButt… People doing non-flowing canyons will likely prefer the ShuffleButt.

A TALL version is available that adds 2” to the height. This will work better for people taller than about 6’2”; and for people with fashionably bountiful butt-cheeks.

A Canyoneering-style Harness from Singing Rock

A pretty-good euro-style canyoneering harness, less over-built than the Petzl model. Pretty comfortable, reasonably durable. Barely-adequate gear loops. Good tie in point. The black PU seat lasts pretty well (better than a ScuttleButt!), and can be replaced with a ScuttleButt when trashed.

Good Harness at a Good Price

The Versa2 is a decent, adjustable leg loop harness designed for climbing, and is now my go-to harness for canyoneering with the addition of a ShuffleButt. Well proportioned, comfortable, "gear loops", reasonably light weight. The main webbing is small but stout and holds up well.

MAKE SOME NOISE!

In watery canyons, a whistle is an essential communication device. This is a high-tech, very-loud whistle that gets the job done. It was designed for rescue situations at sea, so it works well when wet, and the two-tone plus pea creates an ear-splitting sound that pierces through wave and waterfall noise. And, it has an awesome logo on it!

The pea is small enough that it does not lose function when wet. (Not an actual pea).

A Camera/Phone Case for Canyoneering

For waterproof cameras, a neoprene case to hold your equipment handy and protect it from bumps and bruises. A bit of mesh at the bottom of the back to let water drain out. The full length of the front is covered with Cordura - some 500d, some 1000d.

Of course, phones replaced waterproof cameras, and the PP is wonderful for keeping your phone handy during outdoor activities. Keep your phone out of the skanky canyon water, but for canyon action other than swims, waterfalls and jumps, it seems to work pretty well.

Note: many phones are now ‘waterproof’. This definitely does not make them ‘skanky-pothole-water-proof’. We advise against thinking so.

Sneak through canyons, amaze your friends!!!

The Leprechaun is a streamlined little number for slipping through those tight little squeezes in skinny slots as in North Wash.

We are sewn here in Utah using a tuned-up design and at a price roughly twice what the 2018 Shanghai ones went for. Such is life in 2025. Making them locally allows for better quality control. The revised zipper sewing is sleek - and more durable that before. These are the best Leps we have ever made!

The Kolob Pack is a great 37-liter pack for canyoneering in wet canyons. The Kolob is our most versatile pack, and the most popular. The NEW STRETCH Kolob is FIVE Inches taller to fit people about 6’3” to 6’8”. Volume on the Stretch Kolob is equivalent to the Heaps pack, 42 liters, with a slimmer profile. Production in the USA allows us to make these up as needed, with a likely two month wait if not in stock.

Thirty-seven Liters is a good size for carrying a lot of gear on day trips, and frugal individuals can do an overnight with it. The STRETCH being 42 liters means you will be able to carry the big rope assigned to you because you are tall and strong. Carefully shaped for optimum performance in canyons, with the slanted bottom that helps stay out of the way on downclimbs. (This pack is about the same volume as a Heaps, but more slender, more amenable to sneaking through canyons.)

Other Kolob sizes:

Kolob Medium to fit men 5’4” to 5’8”

Kolob Standard to fit men 5’7” to 5’11”

Kolob Tall to fit men 5’11” to 6’3”

A 47-liter internal frame canyoneering-specific pack, the Shinumo, is the High Priestess of Imlay's line, offering reasonable comfort in addition to canyon compatibility like no other. Big enough for long day-canyons carrying too much stuff, and for lightweight canyoneering overnights.

The Shinumo is the women's version of our Heaps Pack, built for smaller, curvier bodies. The pack body is 2" shorter, then made wider and deeper to reclaim the volume lost to shortening. The suspension has been re-engineered to fit women, especially smaller women. The hipbelt is shorter and curvier. The shoulder straps are narrower at the ends, but wide where they cross the shoulder.

The Kolob Standard Pack is a great 37-liter pack for canyoneering in wet canyons. The Kolob is our most versatile pack, and the most popular.

Now available in 4 sizes, each as a separate item - This being the Kolob Standard, the size we have made for 15 years, optimized to fit men 5’7” to 5’11”.

Also available:

Kolob Medium to fit men 5’4” to 5’8”

Kolob Tall to fit men 5’11” to 6’3”

Kolob Stretch to fit men 6’3” to 6’8”

Thirty-seven Liters is a good size for carrying a lot of gear on day trips, and frugal individuals can do an overnight with it. Carefully shaped for optimum performance in canyons, with the slanted bottom that helps stay out of the way on downclimbs.

If the color you have your heart set on is not listed, you can suggest we make it via email.

Our newest pack, the Pandora is a version of the Kolob pack made for people of limited altitude, mainly women in the height range of 5'0" to 5'4". We took the Shenanigans and cut out 2" of height. The goal was to make a small-person-fitting pack with as much capacity as possible (but not a Shinumo)... a go-anywhere, do-anything pack. At 33 liters (38 including the back pleated pocket) it is big enough for most anything except overnight canyons.

Heaps Pack, Sewn proudly in the USA; Utah and Arizona

A 48-liter internal frame canyoneering-specific pack, the Heaps is the Big Kahuna of Imlay's line, offering excellent comfort in addition to canyon compatibility like no other. Big enough for long day-canyons carrying too much stuff, or for lightweight overnights.

The updated Spry is 2” taller than 2018 version, making it more of a ‘real pack’, only 1” shorter than the Kolob. The three-point shoulder straps fit and carry better, and are easier to sew. They allow a wide fit range, from 5’4” to 6’2” (ish). The hipbelt is the traditional Wing Style as before, but adjusted for better function and easier sewing. The back frame is lighter and better at providing vertical structure.

Combining the best properties of Cordura and 'Vinyl' packs, Imlay ‘Hybrid’ backpacks are sophisticated, comfortable and feature-rich, plus are canyon-durable and drain well. The Spry is a nice size (32L) for quick day jaunts. Tough PVC-laminate armor on the outside - the bottom and the sides - make it canyon-resistant; an expanding back pocket has enough space for a helmet; the side-winder handle works great in the narrow stuff; and we put in a plastic framesheet plus 1/2" of foam so it has enough support for carrying loads without twitching out the back. The Insta-Drain design lets water drain from the pack quickly when exiting a pothole.

The FiddleStick is an advanced canyoneering anchor tool. It is a new approach to retrievable anchoring, opening up a wider range of possible anchors, and making it possible to descend more canyons and leave nothing behind (aka “ghosting”). As an ADVANCED anchor tool, it requires skill, practice and understanding to use safely. Even when used properly, it has the possibility of failing, resulting in severe injury or death, or being stranded in a canyon with your ropes hopelessly stuck.

I was selling both my FiddleStick and BluuGnome’s Smooth Operator, but now the Smoothie can only be ordered directly from Luke at BG-Gear.com

Both are generally used with an Amsteel pull string that pairs (threesomes?) with the SECO-050 rope bag.

Imlay Canyon Gear PotShots can save enormous wear and tear on your partner's pack. Rather than tossing that large, awkward, expensive and fragile pack, put some sand in a PotShot, tie a rope to it, and toss it past the interesting obstacle ahead.

In many cases, it takes 2 PotShots to get out of a pothole; in some cases it can take 3 or more… the most we have heard about is 5. So far.

The PotShot makes a great storage bag for a SandTrap, and is useful for bringing sand to the SandTrap when necessary. If landing with too much energy, the PotShot seams can blow out, though we have made them much stronger than the original version, and this seems to have solved that problem. But still…

The SandTrap, invented by Steve Woodford of Springdale Utah, is an interesting device for creating a retrievable anchor any time you have sand available.

Fill it with sand, then rap off it. Pull the retrieval line to spill the sand and retrieve the Trap, leaving nothing behind other than displaced sand. Ingenious! The only problem that I see with it is that I didn't invent it!!!

A versatile hook, perfect for your Imlay pothole escape kit. Three different hook heads fit small to large features, and the smallest one fits in 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch holes well. Tripod base for stability. I include a short sling of 1/2" tubular. Bring TWO for your next trip to Imlay.

Hooks are not generally useful for escaping potholes. If you are hooking out of potholes in Imlay, then you want two Talons. Hooking out of potholes is something people ONLY do in Imlay Canyon where there are drilled holes in place. There are a few drilled holes in Heaps too, though I have never used them. Elsewhere, potholes do not tend to have hookable features. This is not how you get out of potholes.

It's Ba-a-ack! Josh over at Pika Mountaineering recently made a batch of hooks, and I snagged a few. These are the Spoonbill Hook for aid climbing, with the end twisted to put a flat end on a tiny ledge. Heck, scares me just to type it!

Josh over at Pika Mountaineering makes these hooks about once a year, and I pull in a bunch, but... we run out at times. Three sizes are approximately the dimension of the reach in inches. One hole not big enough to clip a biner into, so use a short loop of webbing.

BD Alpine Aiders are a handy addition to the pothole escape kit, working well for hooking and for other methods. They can also be the best way to assist others out of a pothole. They are light and compact - much more so than "real" etriers. A lot less expensive, too. The side-to-side style of aider works better than the ladder style for pothole escapes, as a single aider can be used for both feet on non-overhanging terrain, unlike the ladder style.

And like many pieces of gear I like, it has been discontinued by Black Diamond as of S25.

A big fancy float to keep things aloft.

Vinyl coated for deluxe feel and durability. BIGGER than normal size to provide more floatation. Bright color so if it does sink, you might be able to see it in the murky water. Use on Cameras, hooks, etriers - anything you might drop in a pothole and regret.

OOOPS! New ones came in, and they are tiny! Like, big enough for one little house key. I thought I re-ordered the good ones —- apparently NOT! I will have them available again once I find suitably large floats for hooks.

The original stated ship date was July 13th, as we were and are awaiting our shipment to clear customs and be shipped down to us from Salt Lake City.  Further confusion with the shipping from SLC… arrival was promised for Monday July 20 - if true, we will be shipping on Tuesday July 21st.

IF true.

CRITR3 !!!

An innovative rappel device from Todd and Desi at Climbing Sutra, now an Imlay Canyon Gear product. Lots of options allow careful adjustment of friction while on rappel. Symmetry allows flipping that extends the life of the device. Part of the new wave of rappel devices that allow changes in friction while rapping. Lots of options has made this a popular rappel device especially for full-size (>170 lbs) canyoneers.

I have moved production to a quality shop in Taiwan, and made a few minor tweaks to the design to help it rappel smoothly right out of the box…

Best Rappel Device (for long rappels) EVER!

New and Improved 5th Edition !!!

NEW V5 IN STOCK NOW!

After using my prototype for a year and a half, I am convinced this is the best rappel device ever for long rappels. The ladder allows friction adjustments while on rappel and free-hanging (or not). The ladder allows for close increments of friction to be used, so your friction can be perfect every time, even if you chose wrong when going over the edge.

The downside is that it requires attention to be paid to the device while rappelling. Moving your brake hand to the side, out or in, can pop the rope out of the notch, resulting in a sudden loss of friction. Seems like I flop my arms around more than most… Version 5 decreases the pop out tendency significantly. While I would not use it in Class C canyons (where I am an arm-flapping advanced BEGINNER), many real Class C canyoners in the PNW like and use the Sqwurel on a regular basis.

Since the Critr is MINE MINE MINE!!!!, I use the Critr as my everyday device. If the adventure calls for long rappels (longer than 200 feet), then I use a Sqwurel.

We no longer sell the ATC, as it is not a Canyoneering device, but I thought I would leave this here as a link to an interesting bit of history on the CUSA Tech Tip linked below.

And just so people know, if you show up to a canyon trip with an ATC, you shall be frowned upon, righteously. It is like showing up to a gun fight with a peanut butter sandwich. Although sometimes I bring one for belaying, or because it is a Grand Canyon trip and every ounce counts!

A truly stellar plate-style rappel device, the ATC-XP works especially well on small diameter ropes, and offers a variety of modes for different levels of friction. It is compact, and my device of choice when we are not doing very many rappels, but I like the Critr or Sqwurel better for more technical ropework. 

Critr Cult T-Shirt

In cooperation with Gnar Industries… show your Critr Culture with our new cotton tee. A little critr on the front, and an altar piece on the back. In yellow and grey/brown. The shirts are really nice pre-washed cotton, and the sizing is a bit different than “normal” tees.

(I wear a Large in conventional tees, and I wear a Medium in this one).

Used for rigging contingency anchors. Couple options which all function much the same:

Apparently, there is a world-wide shortage on these. So I got what I got…

Cypher-Otto Mini Figure 88 -- anodized. Another real nice basic Figure 8 for rigging anchors. 3.4 ounces / 97 grams

Kong Bonatti - Polished 8 -- Another real nice basic Figure 8 for rigging anchors. 4.0 ounces / 110 grams

Kong Bonatti - Anodized RED Classic 8 - as above, but in red.

Imlay SECO Dry Rope Bags - SECO Ropebags are lighter, simpler versions of our classic rope bags, for when light and simple are higher priorities than optimum performance, durability and floatation. Optimized for DRY canyons.

SECO ropebags are made from durable 1000d air-textured nylon fabric. They have no foam and minimal drainage. They do not float. They stay open reasonably well for stuffing, but not like our Lexus-grade rope bags. These are Corollas. And they will not be as durable. But they do weigh (and cost, and bulk!) a lot less.

PROTIP: Write your name and phone number on the inside of the drawcord sleeve with a sharpie.

Imlay SECO Dry Rope Bags - SECO Ropebags are lighter, simpler versions of our classic rope bags, for when light and simple are higher priorities than optimum performance, durability and floatation. Optimized for DRY canyons.

SECO ropebags are made from durable 1000d air-textured nylon fabric. They have no foam and minimal drainage. They do not float. They stay open reasonably well for stuffing, but not like our Lexus-grade rope bags. These are Corollas. And they will not be as durable. But they do weigh (and cost, and bulk!) a lot less.

PROTIP: Write your name and phone number on the inside of the drawcord sleeve with a sharpie.

A new little bag for 3mm Spectra "Super Pull Strings"

Advent of the FiddleStick and other ghosting techniques has allowed use of super-light spectra pull strings, aka "Super-Pull-Strings". This is a bag for Super Pull Strings, and holds 300 feet easily. While a smaller bag could be made, it would become quite difficult to stuff. Therefore, I am offering the smallest bag that I think can be easily stuffed.

PROTIP: Write your name and phone number on the inside of the drawcord sleeve with a sharpie.

Imlay SECO Dry Rope Bags - SECO Ropebags are lighter, simpler versions of our classic rope bags, for when light and simple are higher priorities than optimum performance, durability and floatation. Optimized for DRY canyons.

See chart for sizes and the ropes they fit.

SECO ropebags are made from durable 1000d air-textured nylon fabric. They have no foam and minimal drainage. They do not float. They stay open reasonably well for stuffing, but not like our Lexus-grade rope bags. These are Corollas. And they will not be as durable. But they do weigh (and cost, and bulk!) a lot less.

PROTIP: Write your name and phone number on the inside of the drawcord sleeve with a sharpie.

A latest version of our popular Bagarino Rope Bag

THE ropebag for working ropes in the 80 to 120 to 150 foot range. Functioning much like a Rope Silo, it features a three-panel design, perforated vinyl sides, oversized/flared top skirt. Foam for floatation and to help hold it open for stuffing. Elongated shape works well for stacking atop your pack. Smallish, efficient, cute… what more could you ask for?

Colors, perhaps? This version has a pleasant, hi-vis color on the front, and a related color on the back. So Orange/Red, Light Blue/Royal Blue, Neon Green/Kelly Green, Pynk/Turquoise. With Black sides and a primarily Silver weasel neck!

Note: The SECO-150 also works for this length of rope… but does not have foam, does not float.

PROTIP: Write your name and phone number on the inside of the drawcord sleeve (aka weasel neck) with a sharpie.

Imlay SECO Dry Rope Bags - SECO Ropebags are lighter, simpler versions of our classic rope bags, for when light and simple are higher priorities than optimum performance, durability and floatation. Optimized for DRY canyons.

See chart for sizes and the ropes they fit.

SECO ropebags are made from durable 1000d air-textured nylon fabric. They have no foam and minimal drainage. They do not float. They stay open reasonably well for stuffing, but not like our Lexus-grade rope bags. These are Corollas. And they will not be as durable. But they do weigh (and cost, and bulk!) a lot less.

Color blocking might be the reverse of what is shown.

PROTIP: Write your name and phone number on the inside of the drawcord sleeve with a sharpie.

The modern, effective way to manage your lifeline in canyons. Rope Silos allow you to handle just the part of the rope you need, and keep the rest in the bag. The stiff rim and foam-padded sides make loading the rope a snap, and a couple of tie-in options allow flexibility in technique. A shoulder strap and two handles make it reasonable to carry or pass along to the young, strong peeps in your canyon crew. Sewn in the USA, Kanab Utah.

PROTIP: Write your name and phone number on the inside of the drawcord sleeve with a sharpie.

The modern, effective way to manage your lifeline in canyons. Rope Silos allow you to handle just the part of the rope you need, and keep the rest in the bag. The stiff rim and foam-padded sides make loading the rope a snap, and a couple of tie-in options allow flexibility in technique. A shoulder strap and two handles make it easy to carry or pass along to the young, strong persons in your canyon crew.

PROTIP: Write your name and phone number on the inside of the drawcord sleeve with a sharpie.

Soft, grippy nylon accessory cord for prusiks. Sold by the foot - order how many feet you want, I will provide one continuous piece. (I know it sounds silly to say that, but some people ask.) Up to the length of the spool. Color: pretty, but probably not as shown.

Strength: 750 daN

A nice, large, locking belay carabiner at a very reasonable price. Keylock nose means less snagging, screwgate lock mechanism resists clogging, big size useful especially when wearing an Alpine Bod harness, or if you insist on clipping the biner through both the leg loops and waistbelt, rather than using the belay loop. (Which you should never do).

(And no, the Black is not smaller than the Grey.)

July 14, 2026: Black not available from BD until about Aug 15th.

A nice, largish, locking carabiner at a good price. Keylock nose means less snagging, screwgate lock mechanism resists clogging. Not exactly round stock, but pretty close, and very nicely finished.

18mm Nylon Supertape Over-the-Shoulder Slings. Nice to have a few of these. They lie flatter across the shoulder than tied slings, and are quite a bit less expensive than spectra slings. Nylon absorbs more water than Dynex, but lasts longer. Makes a good bunny strap.

Weight: 39 grams or 1.36 ounces 

10mm DYNEX Over-the-Shoulder Slings made from UHMPE webbing. Nice to have a few of these. Smaller and lighter, and non-absorbant. More expensive, and possibly not as durable. But, deluxe!!

Weight: 19 grams or 0.7 ounces 

An elegant, simple design for ascending ropes. Now with a nice plastic widget that helps set the teeth into the rope. Use with a large-rod-stock carabiner like the Cypher Iris or the BD RockLock. Very lightweight and handy to have. Fits on ropes 8mm to 11mm, works pretty well on my 6mm pull cord. The downside: sharp teeth can tear up the rope, and it is very hard to move DOWN the rope, for instance when changing back to rappel mode. This is probably the best choice to carry as an emergency ascender. Superlight and compact, not too too pricey, and it does not wear out. Also useful for hauling packs and stuff like that. 

BUT: not good on actual 8mm ropes. Very hard to get it grip => tears up the sheath when it does not work. If using the really nice, expensive, modern top-of-the-line ropes, then you definitely can afford a Petzl Basic and MicroTraxion for your ascending kit, to avoid tearing up the rope.

PRO TIPS:

A. Use a round-stock carabiner like the BD Rocklock or Cypher Iris.

B. Clip using the German style for most uses. The French style will work better forcing it past a lip.

C. CAN be used as a progress capture device using the German style, with the rope inside the carabiner. Not the best, but okay.

D. Now that these are wicked expensive, just get a MicroTraxion and Basic, which weigh a little more but work MUCH better.

The standard of handled ascenders! Works well, not too heavy, pretty strong. If you are looking for handled ascenders, these are the goods. When exploring canyons, exiting caving-style, or for rescue and SAR work, sometimes there is nothing like a real, handled ascender for getting up a rope.

I carry one of these in my canyoning ascending kit, every day. Well, almost.

Handles are for poofters! Unless you're planning on jugging El Cap, those handles are pretty unnecessary, and add weight and bulk. The Petzl Basic Ascender has all the working parts of the Handled Ascender, with the superfluous handle removed. A good compromise - a full function ascender that works really well, at less weight and bulk.

For most canyoning, I carry a Micro Traxion and a Petzl Basic as the center of my ascending kit. The Micro is also good for hauling, and better than the Nano because locking the cam out is a surprisingly useful feature when doing anything other than ascending the rope. Micro - recommended. Nano - not so much. (Unfortunate that these tools have gotten rather expensive, even the Tibloc!)

PETZL SAYS:

MICRO TRAXION: A multipurpose 3-in-1 device (pulley, self-jamming pulley, rope clamp / grab) for hauling a sack, raising a person, setting up a hauling system or self-belaying. Works fantastic for a canyoneer-style ascending system, especially at the waist. Sheave with self-lubricating bushings is efficient and compact. Works well for Tyrolean traverses and for ascending rope.

NANO TRAXION: A multipurpose 2-in-1 device (progress-capture pulley, rope clamp / grab) for hauling a sack, raising a person, setting up a hauling system. Works fantastic for a canyoneer-style ascending system, especially at the waist. Sheave with self-lubricating bushings is efficient and compact.

The Nano or Micro-Traxion will find a place in all work or rescue kits.

Imlay Canyon Dry Kegs are a great way to keep stuff dry. They protect your gear from water, and, with proper padding, from physical damage. Faster and easier to use than drybags, they last longer too. They fit well in larger packs, and in all Imlay Canyon Gear Packs except the Leprechaun.

DO NOT put them at the bottom of the pack. Put a drybag down there for padding. Putting the Keg at the bottom could crack the Keg Lid, and will tear up the pack.

Peregrine Tough Dry Bag

These are nice, pretty light drybags from Peregrine. Made from special 210d Cordura Ripstop Fabric, they are seamtaped for waterproofness. This is a more-reliable construction method than welding… well, at least than the welding I had on my Imlay drybags. No Valve. Nicely made roll top

Jan 10, 2026: Looks like Peregrine has discontinued these, so I will be looking for a replacement. We will try to keep the website up to date, but we are not real good at that.

2mm Neoprene Socks from NEOsport

If you are planning to a canyon with some water in the summer where your feet will get wet, but the temperature is warm, these are great neo socks. This is a very strechy, squishy, comfy neoprene sock, that fits well.

Neoprene socks are an essential item for canyoneering. They keep the feet warm, but also keep sand away from your tender footsies. Size your shoes to fit over a neo sock.

Neoprene socks (and all neoprene items) are in the Supply Chain Difficulties category. We are doing what we can to keep things in stock…

Warm socks for COLD water. If you are planning on doing a cold water canyon such as Heaps, or Imlay, or you just always have cold feet (like Shirlz) these are the perfect neo socks for you. This is a very stretchy, squishy, comfy neoprene sock that very fits well. The 5mm is thicker than other neo socks so be sure your shoes have enough space to accomodate them.

 Neoprene socks are an essential item for canyoneering. They keep the feet warm, but also keep sand away from your tender footsies.

Hyperflex uses premium, high-stretch neoprene to build their suits, resulting in greater long-term comfort, and making it possible to have both a tight fit and minimal restriction. They feature a skin-out panel on the chest and main back, flex panels in key places and the standard, surf-suit back zipper.

Wetties have been very challenging to stock this year…

The size chart is for skinny New Jersey Teenagers surfing in the Atlantic Ocean. For Canyoneering, move up almost one full size. Please.

Hyperflex uses premium, high-stretch neoprene to build their suits, resulting in greater long-term comfort, and making it possible to have both a tight fit and minimal restriction. They feature a skin-out panel on the chest and main back, flex panels in key places and the standard, surf-suit back zipper.

The Supai Canyon Flatwater 2 personal boat is an awesome tool for non-contact boating on the Colorado River. It is highly specialized, and many people will want to try it out before buying. Or rent one the time or two a year the siren call of the Big Ditch takes hold. I offer this rental package that includes the boat, an MTI Journey PFD (2 sizes) and the Airhead 3-piece-shaft paddle, for use on the Colorado River ONLY. This boat is not a PackRaft, and if you contact a rock, you will damage it, so don't do that! Overall kit weight is 5 lbs 0 ounces (size small).

Knee and Elbow pads designed just for Colorado Plateau canyoneering. Made with 3mm neoprene with a stretchy polyester knit - “Powertex” - that is reasonably durable. The design features a minimum of stitching, and the stitching is covered with Shoe Goo so it does not abrade off. Just enough stitching to give them shape. These pads are longer than volleyball pads because WE do not get to adjust our pads after every point; these do a better job of staying in place.

Useful for keeping the skin on your knees and elbows intact when scuffling through canyons. Also useful over a wetsuit, to delay the point at which your wettie becomes a holey wettie.

We (currently) make them in three sizes: Medium, Large and Extra Large. Let me know how they fit. Size Chart? I have no idea what to measure - so… are you kinda small to medium; pretty much median adult male; or more Mongo-ish, but not as big as Mongo?

Sold in pairs.