Slippery When Wet

What could be a better way to squander a beautiful, warm spring weekend than to spend it sloshing through an icy, water-filled canyon where the non-appearance of direct sunlight is the only guarantee? Some call it canyoneering, for the more distinguished, its canyoning. But let’s be real here. Does the pursuit of hiking, swimming and possibly rappelling down a desert/mountain creek really warrant such formal nomenclature? Perhaps it’s a way to justify the “uncoolness” of wetsuits, heavy backpacks and helmets. Nor are the participants particularly glamorous when wading through a cesspool, covered from head to toe in a water-logged rubber suit. But one thing is for certain: it can be outrageously fun and mindbendingly beautiful, so who’s complaining? Here’s a look: