Add canyoning / canyons as a new gear style

[scd]

From a user:

I just noticed that someone has decided to add some Canyoning descriptions on the Crag.

The Crag is meant to be a Climbing database for climbing information - not canyoning, bushwalking etc. There are already websites out there to handle canyoning etc. (e.g. Ozultimate which is the website that this has been copied from)

Could you pleas delete the entries if feel it is inappropriate?

https://www.thecrag.com/climbing/australia/bungonia-gorge/area/1051293303

https://www.thecrag.com/climbing/australia/bungonia-gorge/area/1051642335

And later after suggesting it might be ok.

Fair enough, though personally I think you’re opening Pandora’s Box especially since one of the canyons described is currently banned. Also keep in mind that Ozultimate already has detailed descriptions for many canyons and the canyoning community is generally against publishing descriptions for any canyons that are not covered by the current guidebook https://fatcanyoners.org/bush-guide/canyons-near-sydney/ - see Tom’s notes regarding this issue here: http://ozultimate.com/canyoning/track_notes.htm IMHO this would mean that the Crag would need to ensure that only existing canyon descriptions from the guides above are included. This is especially important for areas such as the Northern Wollemi where the Wollemi Pine was found.

There is also a very active Facebook Group for canyoning.

Ozultimate also provides a free guide book for the more popular canyons.

I haven’t checked the content - just the note that states "NOTES FROM http://ozultimate.com/canyoning/track_notes/bungonia_creek.htm” but you should note that canyoning in Spring Creek is banned which the author for these canyon descriptions fails to note.

If you do decide to keep these including the banned canyon - then as a minimum then you would need to add the following to the Crag:

• Route Style Type - “Canyon”
• I would preferably NOT want to see any metrics for canyoning appear on my profile (or perhaps a separate for canyoning would be preferable).

You might then also want to add some specific tags, e.g.:

• wetsuits (yes, no, optional)
• time (A few hours, short day, day, long day, 2+ days)
• Distance (horizontal distance as opposed to vertical ascent)

Canyon Grade is already covered via climbing grade.

[scd]

We don't want to tread on anybody toes, but I think it is worthwhile having cannoning in the system.

We are addressing some of the concerns raised anyway because they are exactly the same concerns in climbing.

[Luen]

Yes, I would like to see canyoning in the system. Would need to describe the walk in (approach), lat and long for each rap, if it's a one long multi-rap or just single rappels, canyon exit.

Doesn't that also raise questions about bushwalking routes like the tourist track up Mt Beerwah? https://www.thecrag.com/climbing/australia/glasshouse-mountains/mt-beerwah/route/13462123 Would you then be adding a walking grading system for hiking routes: https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/safety/bushwalking-safety/australian-walking-track-grading-system https://www.aussiebushwalking.com/grading

[brendanheywood]

Doesn't that also raise questions about bushwalking routes

Not really, climbing grades kinda evolved out of bushwalking grades at least historically and then diverged. eg the states had grade 1 to grade 5 where 1 was easy and 5 'required climbing', and then 5 got split further into 5.1 - 5.10 and then got worse from there. I don't have a good source for Australia ewbank grades but I have seen some people say that the climbing grades start at grade 5 and grades 1-4 are hiking grades. Either way no I don't think we'd entertain bushwalking grades and the approach can stay in the approach field.