Canyoning

They generally describe the same outdoor activity, with canyoning used widely in Europe and canyoneering common in the United States. Both involve traveling through water-carved canyons and may include technical ropework, climbing, jumps, and swims. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/canyoneer.htm)

A canyoning descent can combine hiking, scrambling, climbing, down-climbing, swimming, jumping, sliding, and rappelling. A route may require only a few of those techniques or nearly all of them, depending on its depth, water flow, and anchor systems. [French government definition](https://www.sportsdenature.gouv.fr/canyonisme/reglementation/definition)

Technical routes commonly require a helmet, harness, ropes, rappel hardware, suitable footwear, and often a wetsuit for cold water. The National Park Service specifically treats rappels, ropework, technical climbing, technical jumps, and technical swims as features that require careful planning. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/canyoneer.htm)

A beginner can start on a guided route chosen for the person's swimming ability, height exposure, and comfort with ropes. It is important to check weather and water conditions because a canyon that is manageable in low flow can become dangerous after heavy rain. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/canyoneer.htm)