First Snow

So it's been a long, hot summer but thankfully we've had the river there when we need to cool off, and it's been a life-saver. The cooler weather recently has been a pleasant relief though the jackets and beanies have started coming out in the last few days. This morning we woke to the first dusting of the season.



The long range forecast is looking reasonably promising with December slightly colder than average with plenty of precipitation. So here's hoping that means an early start to the 2010-11 season. Fingers crossed.

Yamanashi Canyon Japan

YAMANASHI SEASON IS ON!

The Yamanashi canyoning trip is the biggest sliding course in Japan. If you are after BIG water, BIG slides and BIG fun then this one is for you! The guides at Canyons love this trip and there is often a heated discussion about who gets to go every time there is a trip. It`s a long day but its well worth the effort.

Above: The approach is along well established hiking trail which takes approx 90min.

Above: After arriving at the top the crew take a short rest before getting suited up!

Above: Looking down the first few warm up slides, always gets the crew excited.

Above: The fourth slide is about 10m into a deep pool

Above: One of the crew decides to hit to jump on the fourth slide for some extra fun.

Above: Looking up the canyon at the fourth and fifth slides. The fifth slide is not for the faint hearted. When sitting at the top you are looking down into a narrow shoot not much wider than your body!　With no possible way to see the landing spot in the pool at the bottom its quite intimidating for even the more experienced canyoner! If your into big thrills and even bigger spills then this slide is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Above: You can see the scale of this awsome waterfall when someone is sitting at the top.

20m + of pure thrills.

Above: Taking a break to refuel for some more slides

Above: One of smoothest slides on the trip, great for headfirst sliding superman style

Above: One of the bigger slides near the bottom of the course, short slide - big free fall.

Above: Close up of the same slide, hold your breath as your sure to go deep!

Above: The last slide of the day! A bit of a corkscrew slide but with a smooth landing

Above: The hike out takes around 30min and leads us straight back to the car for a cold drink and the drive home.

Although the trip requires no rope work in normal conditions its not to be mistaken for a easy day in the park. The water in the pools is often quite strong and large part of the day is spent in the water swimming, sliding, climbing around and jumping. The course is over 2.7kms long and has over 30 waterfalls in total, so be ready for a physical day of adventure.

(If your looking for more info on the Yamanashi tour or tour dates please visit the Canyons website at - http://www.canyons.jp/Canyoning_F.html )

Crystal Canyon 2010

After the heat of the past few weeks we decided it was time to head over to Niigata and check out one of our favorite canyons before the first tours start later this month.

(For more detail on tour times check out - http://www.canyons.jp/Canyoning_F.html)

The large blocks of snow that normally sit in the sides of the canyons had all melted and the water temp was a warm 17.5 degrees. perfect conditions for the Crystal course.

( above: views up the canyon as we hiked in on the hiking trail. The waterfall looks small from here.....)

(above: Sam showing his jumping style on one of the first jumping areas)

(above: Mike in one of the narrows of the upper section)

From the get in point the canyon is split into two section, upper and lower. The upper section can be visited by swimming and climbing up the canyon to the top waterfall where the canyon starts. The upper section contains some of the narrowest parts of the canyon along with some great jumps in crystal clear water. The lower section open out as you go down with larger waterfalls and incredible panoramic views down the valley as you near the end.

(Above: The group bridges (steming as the Americans say) up the top section where the water flow is strong to swim)

（Above: Dave heads down the 18m drop to check it out for the others to follow. This is a picture taken from above the waterfall in the first picture. It looks a bit bigger from on top!)

One of the bigger waterfalls in Crystal canyon is a 18m drop into a beautiful pool. Its normally a great jump but we always send someone down first to check for hidden nasties (logs etc).

After Dave checked the pool below and gave us the all clear the rest of the group followed by jumping. Although not a jump for all its a great way to find out if your the jumping type!





(Above: Mike launching off the chock stone at the top of the 18m jump)

(Above: Sam exiting the pool below the 18m jump)

(Above: The final 30m abseil of Crystal Canyon)




As most of the staff at canyons know now Sam isnt to shy about getting his gear off. As a result has started a tradition of getting a few butt shots at every new canyon he visits.

This is Sam giving a final salute goodbye to Crystal.

To see just how beautiful crystal canyon is check out this short video below.