Canyoneering & Other Outdoor Ethics

As you explore and experience the desert and outdoors, please keep the following guidelines in mind:

• The desert is a fragile environment, treat it gently. Stay in washes and on slickrock whenever possible.
• Cryptobiotic soil is extremely fragile, and takes a long time to regenerate. Stay off it if at all possible.
• Keep group sizes small. 4-6 is plenty. Larger groups cause greater impacts during travel and camping.
• Camp away from other campers if possible. If geography necessitates camping near another group, try to be polite neighbors and keep the noise to a minimum.
• Camp away from streams and pools. Water is often sparse in desert areas, and wildlife need space to be able to get the water they need.
• Don't contaminate water with harsh soaps or gray water from dishes.
• Pack out your toilet paper, and use the restroom away from water sources and camping areas.
• If re-doing an anchor, removing old sling material. Don't leave a rats nest of old slings.
• Check the pull on each anchor to make sure it is not creating unnecessary wear grooves on the rock.
• Inspect all anchors carefully! (knots, webbing,etc...)
• Pack out any garbage you may find in the canyons, including old webbing.