Time to Start Getting Into Shape

Ok...lets be clear here...

I am in no way ready to start canyoneering. I really feel like I need to do some serious exercise and weight loss before starting out.

Tomorrow starts a new way of life.

I currently weigh 212 pounds that is approximately 50 pounds more than my ideal should be. Safe weight loss is approximately 2 pounds per week, so my 8 week goal is to lose 16 pounds and drop to 196.

So over the next 8 weeks, I will be doing the following:

* Exercising a minimum of 30 minutes every day

* Make more healthful choices for food

* Eat 6 times per day (3 snacks and 3 meals)

* Keep caloric intake down to 1800 calories per day

* Drink a minimum of 100 ounces of water per day

* Cut soda intake to one per day

By doing these basic things, I will have a great chance of hitting my first 8 week goal. Future blogs will tell you what specific exercises and foods I am choosing.

Wish me luck!

Part 2 of Canyoneering Video

Ok...I just couldn't resist sending part two of this video out to the blog...What tremendously great stuff!



Any of you ever done a canyon like this before?

Part 1 of Canyoneering Video

Wow...I am very intrigued by the concept of exploring canyons that no one has been before. Check out video one from Alpine Training Services (The guys I have chosen to train me) when they tackle a canyon in California with a 1,000 foot rappel down multiple waterfalls! Very cool stuff..

A week in California

So I spent the last week in California and wasnt able to do anything except work, work, work.

One cool thing though..

I found out that a buddy of mine is hiking to the top of Kiliminjaro (highest mountain in Africa) in June. The really cool part...he is taking a blind guy to the top.

over 19,000 feet and blind people are doing the climb.

Now that makes canyoneering just look a little timid...

My Research is Done!

So I spent several days trying to figure out ...how in the world does one actually learn canyoneering? Do you actually just mosey on down to a big ass canyon, jump in and start scrambling down large dangerous waterfalls?

Well, all my research says no...

After extensive research, I have decided to entrust my life to a company called Alpine Training Services. These guys seem like the real deal and I am VERY happy with their professionalism and interest in making me feel comfortable about my choice. Please understand that I am not affiliated with these guys, they are the ones I chose...You do your own homework and see who you like.

You can check out their website at:

http://www.alpinets.com/canyoneering.html

They actually offer classes in Mountaineering, Canyoneering, Kayaking, and Swift Water Rescue. Canyoneering classes are conducted in AZ, WA, and CA. I have decided to take their classes in October in AZ. Once you take one of their 3 day intensive courses, you can retake the class as many times as you want for free. Do AZ to start and then take another 3 day course for free in CA the next time...pretty cool.

The really great thing is that the classes are totally hands on. 3 days of actually learning the cool stuff and then even better....DOING IT! They supply almost all the equipment (which means I don't need to go spend a bundle) except for some basics. This gives newbies like me the ability to try this stuff first before investing big money in all kinds of gear that really I have no room for.

If you want to check out a video about Canyoneering from Alpine, click here.

If ANYONE wants to do the October AZ class with me, let me know. They only take 6 to 10 students (for safety reasons).

"It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses."

I absolutely love this quote from The Blues Brothers. It says everything.

You are ready to go into the unknown and you have some basics and need to get moving!

This is where I am at right now:

* Have absolutely no idea how to get started

* Am out of shape for anything other than possibly a good game of Madden on PS2.

My first goal is to start getting healthy and in shape. I really don't feel like hauling an extra 40 pounds of blubber up and down some 100 foot waterfall. Just wouldn't be prudent!

Next would be to find a reputable "school" if there is such a thing for Canyoneering. I certainly don't want to go into one of these hell holes not knowing what I am doing and die in some freak flash flood.

What the Heck is Canyoneering?

Canyoneering, called canyoning in other parts of the world, is the adventurous act of traveling through steep and narrow canyons using a variety of techniques that can include walking, climbing, scrambling, jumping, abseiling, wading, or swimming. Canyoneers usually differentiate between technical and nontechnical canyoneering. Where nontechnical canyoneering generally refers to simple canyon hiking, technical canyoneering requires specialized equipment and techniques to complete the climb safely.

Canyons vary greatly in their depth, width, and composition. In the United States, the most popular site for canyoneering is the Colorado Plateau with its beautiful sandstone canyons. Other popular canyoneering sites are the Rocky Mountain, Cascade, Sierra Nevada, and San Gabriel ranges. The sheer number of canyons and their varying technical difficulty means people of all skill levels and ages can enjoy the sport.

Canyoneering gear includes specially designed shoes, rope bags, and packs. Canyoneers also need climbing hardware, wetsuits, static ropes, and climbing helmets. Canyoneers must constantly inspect vital equipment such as harnesses, webbing, and ropes, for signs of wear and damage. If significant damage is detected, the gear must promptly be retired and replaced.

Canyoneering can be dangerous, which is undoubtedly part of the thrill for many who participate in the sport. Narrow slot canyons can present extremely difficult obstacles for canyoneers, because sometimes the only way out of a canyon is to climb to the very top. This tends to be strenuous on the body and can leave the canyoneer unprotected from the elements for long periods of time. Failure to complete the required moves can result in being trapped in a canyon where rescue is extremely difficult.

Some canyoneering involves escaping from large potholes called "keeper potholes." These hazards are circular pits that often contain water too deep to stand up in and walls too smooth to climb. Special equipment, good problem-solving skills, and trusted teammates are needed to escape from danger.

Canyons with a lot of water flow can be especially treacherous, and canyoneers should never attempt to traverse them without special equipment. Another potential danger is a flash flood. A dry, calm canyon can quickly become a raging torrent if there’s a severe thunderstorm nearby.

Another canyoneering hazard is temperature related illnesses. Hypothermia is a risk climbers take when they are in any canyon with any amount of water. In the desert canyons, canyoneers risk heat exhaustion if they do not keep hydrated and avoid direct sunlight. It is important to remember that many of the canyons are so remote and difficult to traverse that a canyoneer might not be rescued for many days.

Still sound like fun?