canyoning

canyoning is a term to describe an adventure sport - basically you climb down a waterfall, using various means, like rappelling, jumping, and other such methods.  a waterfall is a downstream flow of water, generally through rocky surface.  mostly the waterfall travels through many georges, or steep inclines, and at times through flat surface.

where i did canyoning was, about 25 km away from palolem beach, goa.  somewhere south of goa, in a reserved forest area.  the 'goa jungle adventure' group, who take you through these canyoning is run by 2 french guys, lido and manu.  they have various programs, from half day to multiple day canyoning, from easy level to very difficult levels.  i went for 'bijoux', which is moderate difficulty canyoning, where you can jump from 16 meters (optional) to 5 meters (not optional).  you have to rappel down through many places as well, again ranging from few meters to maybe 20 meters or more. (i didnt measure).

so, the canyoning started at 9.30am, where we met at 'fiesta' a restaurant near palolem beach, where they provided the gear.  this cost around 2200 rupees, in nov-2013.  they provide wetsuit, helmet, harness, and rappling rope, a bag to carry all that, and there is a guide/instructor, who will take you through all this.  Lido was my group's guide on nov-1st.  there were 3 other people from england in this group.

then after initial instructions, and trying out the wetsuit for your size, and if you want shoes, they provide that too.  (pssst... i was barefeet ;).   also, for about 260 rupees, they will take your photos and give it to you on a pen drive.  then we took off in Lido's jeep/car, which is an open one, and great funto ride.  we rode about 25 km (again its a rough guess), through canacona, and then into reserved forest.  after couple of hours, we reached the spot and walked through jungle paths towards a waterfall.  there are leaches in that forest, and even though its not a big problem, they are an irritants.  but its all part of this tough adventure you have already begun...

within like 20 or so minutes of walking, we reached a waterfall, and wet rocks all around.  we started climbing it down, first walked a bit, then started with rappelling.  Lido hooked his special rope on to a hook, and told us how to do it, and down we went.  rappelling is bit tricky, but easy enough to learn and very thrilling.  you have control of your life, and there are ahrdy rocks all around you and you have to focus and be calm and climb down, literally holding on to your life.  once you reach down at the end of that waterfall, you swim few meters ahead on to a rock, which is a resting place.

then others rappel down, and finally Lido will rappel down, making it look very easy, and then take off the rope, round it up, put all that into his big bag, and join you to next level.  you walk and next could be another rappelling or jump.  for us, it was a jump next, and we jumped down about 5 meters down.  it looks scary, as there are rocks jutting all round the deep pool of water, and you have to jump right in the middle of it.

there are various types of jumps.  in some places, you jump ahead, with lots of push.  at some places, you just drop down, without pushing yourself... and at places, you aim at the center of the pool, as there are rocks all around, and jump at that target.  its a leap of faith, and at the point of jump, you have to let go and push yourself.  when you hit the water and you sink and then you come up, and when you realize that you are totally ok!!!... that's a great feling, indescribable.

in rappelling too, you have to let go.  basically, you put the rope through your harness (there are metal loops), and if you are right hander, then, you hold your left hand up, and control the rope, and with your right hand at your hip, you slowly release the rope bit by bit.  you have to try to keep your body at 90 degree angle, and balance yourself, on your hip, so that your body's weight is centered on your hip, and then you release the rope and move your feet down in synchronization.  its not easy, but its a skill to master.  as you keep doing it, you start improving, and its a great thrill to realize you are in better control of your life.

and so on, we went...  some rappelling, and distance downward was increasing.  it was not just going down a rock, but going through falling water as well, which made it more thrilling.  its scary, tough, but somehow you find an innerstrength, which surprises you in a pleasant way and you make it, and then off you swim into mountain clear & cold waters, onto next rock.  the 3 people, 2 girls and a guy, were very sporty and adventurous, so there were no problems at all.  of course, credit goes to Lido, the instructor, who was calm all the way, and inspired confidence.

even when i was standing at the height of 12 meters, and looking into a deep pool of water, surrounded by big black rocks, at his count of, 3, 2, 1... go..  we all used to jump.  a leap of faith everytime.  i wont' say i came unscathed, because, there were few cuts, where i rubbed on rocks, while climbing, but they were small scratches, and since i was so excited and thrilled at the things i was doing, there was no pain at all.  those small scars (tiny surface wounds), i carry with me, with lots of pride.  so, this way, we rappelled down, maybelike 7-8 times, and jumped 7-8 times, during this course of canyoning.  it was non-stop fun all the way.

at the end of the waterfall, i guess we might have came down about few hundred meters, and travelled some kilometers.  then we walked up, to the jeep, which was parked in the middle of the jungle.  there were leaches again, on the forest path, but became a minor irritants, as we had faced much greater danger and fear already.  whenever a leach jumped up at my feet, i just brushed it aside with my other leg.  (it was more often, as i am a barefooter, but no problem at all).

then we got on to the jeep, and travelled back, totally satisfied and feeling great about ourselves.  in some places where the leaches had bit me in my leg, the blood didn't stop, and kept oozing, but those wounds were now pride evoking than pain...

i reached back at palolem, at about 615pm, and straightaway went for a swim, and hoped the salty water of the sea will help, and then had a run in the beach and then for a long bath in the bathroom in non-salty water.  fresh as ever, then went for dinner and to get the photographs from Lido, which were ready as he had promised us at 8pm.  lots of chatting about the day's adventures along with a great dinner at 'fiesta', the night began to dawn!

i will add the facebook page link of 'goa jungle adventure' organizers.

already this blog is too long, for any sane person to read...  but then so is canyoning.  there are many psychological insights, i thought i got in this adventure. the need to break out comfort zone for one to go beyond yourself (previous programming, done on you by, instinct, society, family, friends and self ;)
letting go, and learning to calm yourself enough, to be at your best to deal with extreme difficulties is another insight.  in rappelling, you have to do something un-natural.  we have to suspend ourself in the air, with the help of harness.  its almost 90 degree posture in comparison to land.

we dont like to leave ourselves hanging like that! (actually no surprises there).  so, i see, many people, while rappelling down, lean up from their waist, and reduce their sense of balance and control.  it's a prime example of the philosophy of letting go.  here, if you can let go, then you reach next level of expertise.

anyway, enough of insights.  i am stopping here, but if you want to ask questions or comment, don't do that please... ;)  just kidding.  see ya...

oh, one more thing..  everyone has some fear/s in their life.  often we are afraid to face those fears, because we feel, if i uncover them from the depths of mind, they will take me over.  but, this canyoning teaches you to (maybe not teach, it has become such a dirty word due to methods of pressure education), but gives you the experience to face some of your worst fears.  as worst fears are of survival, and you are jumping or taking a rope and climbing down into some abyss, in this canyoning...  thus when you overcome them and rapple down, or jump down and come out breathing, its a great feeling... you have faced some of your worst fears and came up floating.

...this experience toughens you up to face other fears dwelling in your mind.  you realize, you can uncover them and face them, and take it up as a challenge and realize what life is all about.  facing challenges wholeheartedly till your last day..  so, every wanderer's dream of getting something out a journey gets fulfilled here.  in psycho-terms, its more like 'flooding' but i am a fan of it, and experiment on me many a times.  and i can definitely say, it has changed me.  its an epiphany moment!