Comments from Students
Since 1990 thousands of people from around the world have participated in Rich’s technical canyoneering and canyon rescue courses. Here’s what some of them had to say about their experience:
“Rich Carlson could be considered the father of American canyoneering because of his influence on style, technique, and ethics. In 1999 Carlson established the American Canyoneering Association to promote safety, responsibility, and ethics in American canyoneering. Rich and the ACA have been critical factors in building national standards that have become the cornerstone of canyoneering at the recreational and professional levels throughout the Americas.” –Dave Black
“I learned more ropework in 6 days with Rich than I learned in 25 years of climbing. Thank you for introducing me to the world of canyoneering.” –Tom Jones
“Every canyoneering guide and instructor in the U.S. – and the overwhelming majority of recreational canyoneers – have learned from, or have learned from someone who learned from Rich Carlson.”
“Just wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know that I really enjoyed your course. Thanks for your patience. You are a great teacher. I have found in the past that just because one has the knowledge on something, doesn’t mean they have the ability to convey that information to others in a way they can retain it. You actually have the gift. I know I retained more than I thought I would. It was a pleasure spending those three days under your guidance.”
“Learning canyoneering from Rich is like learning religion from the Pope.” — Briget Eastep, SUU
“All I can say is WOW! Terrific course. I had already taken a course from a private guide service and was concerned I might not learn anything new in the ACA basic course. My concerns were totally unfounded. I paid half as much for the ACA course and learned at least twice as much. By my math that’s four times the value. Keep up the good work, ACA.”
“The course was great for a beginner like me. I have been looking to learn the basics of rigging and anchors so this was a great place to start! Thanks, Rich I like your teaching style.”
“This course will easily become the standard by which any other canyoneering course will be judged. It was amazing that the professional mountaineering guides found a lot to learn, but the pace was such that a neophyte like me could also pick things up quickly.”
“Rich is a master teacher. I’d highly recommend this course!”
“These canyoneering courses will help individuals develop needed confidence and allow for better decision making in the canyons.”
“This class was informative and fun. Rich has a wealth of knowledge on all things related to canyoneering, from rigging to anchor building to knots he teaches not only the simplest to learn but also the most elegant solution to a situation. The class is almost completely hands on with Rich explaining the theory behind certain systems but also touching on the math and physics involved so the student has a full understanding of ramifications of certain decisions. This three day workshop has helped me feel more confident when I go out into new canyons as well as refine previous practices. Thanks a lot Rich, the information that you generously share and patiently teach is truly appreciated.” –Jonathan Lamborn
“I always learn a lot when Rich is around.”
“What can you say about taking a class from the man who founded the ACA? This course was exceptional! We had a day of classroom instruction and practice covering anchors, rigging, and techniques for canyoneering. Rich talked about a lot of different canyoneering scenarios that I hadn’t considered before. We had lots of questions and Rich had lots of great answers. We heard the phrase “It depends” quite a bit and I appreciate Rich explaining how different conditions merit different techniques. The second day was out in the field, building anchors, using our rigging, practicing canyoneering techniques with Rich there to critique what we were doing. This was really helpful, I really enjoy learning by doing. Rich was great, he even threw in some free 4×2 mudding in his Honda toaster. The third day was back in a classroom setting reviewing lessons learned, covering additional topics, and having all questions answered. I really enjoyed the course. It was a real eye opener for me.” –David Egbert
“Great class. Lots of information at a comfortable pace! Plenty of time allowed for practice, comprehension, and individualized instruction when it was needed.” –Clint Poole
“The advanced canyoneering course was excellent. Rich made the experience with his fine teaching. Rich has a careful eye and ability to provide useful feedback. He also has the skill of weaving useful technique, applicable stories and thoughtful questions to improve his students knowledge. His goal to supply us with a “bag of tricks” rather than prescribed technique was met allowing me to better respond to unforeseen circumstance. Wonderful classmates as well who took the experience seriously but also made it fun enhanced the experience.” — Steve Kugath, BYU Idaho
“Great course with lots of useful information. Rich imparts lots of scenarios to broaden your knowledge.”
“Great Course. Rich Carlson is an excellent teacher … informative, sense of humor, truly an expert! The course was well organized and helped me to meet my goals.”
“I have been a rock climber for over a decade and didn’t really expect to learn anything new. Was I ever wrong. I didn’t realize that there were so many specialized systems employed in canyoneering. All of it makes sense. Rock climbing systems are fine for dry rock, but not at all appropriate in a canyon – especially if there is water present.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t say this since I’m planning to take more courses in the future, but your fees are too low. I learned more in three days than I have in my first six years of canyoneering with friends. The course is worth at least twice what you are charging. Kudos.”
“Very informative! The pace of the course was perfect for the amount of information presented and the instructor was very good – always allowing time for reiteration and questions.” –Jess Kendrick
“Your devotion to the sport and your concern for your students was very apparent during the course. The entire canyoneering community is in your debt for the fine work you are doing.”
“I enjoyed the workshop. Rich Carlson’s approach as an instructor is appealing. Any question asked by students is answered in a thorough way. The material he teaches is well prepared and the experience he brings is invaluable as an instructor. In the anchors workshop we were taught logical ways to evaluate, set up, choose and set up anchors. The material was methodical, helpful and made sense. I would recommend the workshop to others.” –Steven Cottle
“Great workshop. I finally got to meet Rich Carlson, and was very relieved to find that he was not an “environmentalist wacko.”
“Really well done and practical. I thought for a moment that we would have an ethics-focused discussion and hear tired arguments, but Rich got us moving on to more practical skills and know-how.”
“Rich is such a good teacher and with the field practice even with the marginal weather it made for a great learning experience.” –Robert Ging
“It was immediately obvious that your instructors are not just canyoneers, turned guides, turned instructors. The course structure and quality of instruction was as good or better than any college course I have ever taken. Very professional.”
“The instruction from Rich was informative and easy to understand. Very useful info for natural anchors construction and evaluation. The info on bolts was also helpful and I’m glad you spent some time on that. It was good to go out into the field and try out some of the methods learned in the classroom.” –Steve Lawler
“My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the course and now have a new rule for choosing canyoneering partners — ACA course graduates only. You guys are the real deal and you are raising the bar for all canyoneers.”
“Even though I have climbed for 15 years, I learned a lot of new, cool techniques. Wow! Great course.”
“This was definitely an eye-opening experience into understanding how much there really is to canyoneering. It was a challenging week with tons and tons of information and skills to be learned. Thank you for taking extra time and effort in seeing I understood things clearly. I’m very pleased with the setup of the course. I had so much fun – the canyon trips were excellent. My excitement for canyoneering has greatened even more.”
“This was a great opportunity for me to get exposure to a myriad of new techniques for use in future canyoneering exploits. The experience and perspective of the instructors added another dimension and contributed greatly to the value of the course.”
“In all my years of guiding I’ve learned to use many varied anchor systems. In just one day of the course I learned three new and efficient ones specially adapted to canyoneering.”
“I wanted to thank you again for the course on technical canyoneering last weekend. It truly was a great course and I am very glad I took it. I learned so much that I think I went into information-overload. So I tried to focus on the main principles you reinforced in the scenarios more than anything else: repetition, repetition, repetition. I guess I am writing because I am so grateful. I have been on the ACA website these last few days and I have noticed how much effort you put into the site, promoting the sport and the proper techniques. Thanks, it has opened up a whole new world for me.”
“It’s unbelievable how much we have learned in one week. Great teaching and patience displayed by all instructors. Great body of knowledge taught. Good hands-on experience. Good pace and sequence of topics.”
“I just wanted to let you know I had a great time at the canyoneering course. Thank you guys for being so flexible with the group and for making sure we were all being taught material that suited our experience and interests. I hope to be able to attend one of the advanced courses in the next year.”
“Excellent course. Well thought out. I felt I learned a great deal and had a lot of fun doing it.”
“The cumulative structure of the course was right on. We had three opportunities to learn each technique – classroom (camp), controlled situation (bridge), then actual application in the canyons.”
“The knowledge I have gained in these few days was incredible. My expectations were far exceeded. Thanks to Rich and Stefan for great instruction and smooth improv when needed.”
“I am really impressed with not only the skills and techniques but the fact that you put together such a great course. You did a great job and I learned a lot.”
“The technical info and application of methods was outstanding. Rich and Stefan provided some great approaches to common canyoneering problems. If Rich had not told me that it was the first course, I would not have known. Everything went very smoothly.”
“Thank you for the excellent instruction. As a long time rock climber, I came to canyoneering thinking it was “just rappelling.” Boy, was I ever wrong. You patiently explained my endless and naive “Why can’t you just…” questions and helped me think through any scenario I could come up with. Those of us who have taken your courses know that every answer you give starts with “it depends…” and that philosophy has, no doubt, helped countless newbies like me to avoid big problems.” –Tom Hartger
“We know these activities take good strategic planning, and we are glad we hired you for this event – we were definitely in capable hands. The positive feedback is to Wilderness Adventures’ credit, and we would highly recommend Rich and his organization.” –Norma Beian, Snell & Wilmer
“The creativity displayed by your organization was exceptional. The MBA students really enjoyed the opportunity to meet their fellow MBA students in an informal setting. They also expressed a great appreciation for the team building, group communication and problem solving skills they developed throughout the day.” –Paul Gasser, ASU MBA Association
“The team building program exceeded all of our expectations. Wilderness Adventures will be a valuable resource for our meetings throughout the country.” –Don Ingram, Volkswagen Canada
“The canyoneering adventure was the most incredible thing we have ever done. The guides were terrific and made all of us first-timers feel very safe. Those who were able to participate have not stopped talking about it. Now many other people in the office are asking to schedule another adventure next year.” –Judy Young, American Express
“Both days proved to be exciting and wonderful. Our guide was obviously very experienced, knowledgeable and patient. The hike and climb was probably one of the most exciting things I have done – incredible!”
“Your presentation was exceptionally informative and entertaining, as I am sure was evident to you by the complete involvement of those of us present. I am truly disappointed for those members not present who missed such valuable information and such an enjoyable program.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed your rock climbing class. It was fabulous. I was very impressed with your knowledge, expertise and confidence.”
“I am really impressed with not only the skills and techniques but the fact that you put together such a great course. You did a great job and I learned a lot.”
More about Rich
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