Advanced Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2) Los Angeles, CA
2017-02-11 - 2017-02-12, 2017-04-15 - 2017-04-16 | Stoney Point Park, 10900 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Chatsworth, CA, 91311, United States
Advanced Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2) CA
This Advanced Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2) is designed to provide students with the tools needed to jump to the next level of technical skill and become competent and safe canyoneers in ALL classes of canyons and touches on techniques and skills for Canyon Leader (ACE-L3) and Canyon Rescue (ACE-L4). The practical experience that you gain during this course will give you the knowledge and confidence to tackle advanced canyon obstacles and many unexpected situations. This extremely popular curriculum has set the standard by which all other courses and curriculums may be judged. This course was designed primarily to meet the needs of recreational canyoneers, but also forms the training foundation for those planning to seek certification as a Professional Canyon Guide (ACE-L5).
Prerequisite: Uber Adventures’ 3-day Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L1) or Instructor permission. Since this Two-Day Advanced Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2) builds upon the skills and techniques presented in our 3-Day Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L1), you must have that training or extensive personal experience to be admitted to this class.
The topics covered include:

Efficient Rope Management
Advanced Knots & Hitches
Retrievable/Releasable Anchor Systems
Transient Anchors
Artificial Anchors Installation & Inspection
Advanced Rope Deployment Methods
Multi-Pitch Rappels
Simul Rappels
Advanced Rope Work for Traverses/Re-Belays
Guided Rappels & Tensioning Systems
Deviations/Re-Directs
3 Ascending Methods & Converting to Rappel
Transitioning on top of Ascend
Pothole Escape Techniques
Basics of Mechanical Advantage
Group Dynamics and Leadership

Basic personal gear is required for this course: Harness, Helmet, Rappel Device, Safety Tether, Multiple Locking HMS Carabiners, 48″ sling/runner/footloop, prusik loop. And any mechanical ascenders you would like to learn how to use (Ropeman II recommended … or Basic, Micro, etc .. bring them.) We will provide Ropeman II’s for training/practice! (Uber Adventures also offers a 10% discount off all gear purchased before/during/after this course!)
Tuition for this 2-Day Advanced Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2) is $395 per individual. A $100 non-refundable deposit will reserve your space in this class. While the deposit is non-transferrable and non-refundable, it may be put toward a future course in the same calendar year if 30 days notice are given, cancelling your participation. If 30 days notice are not given, the remainder of the course fee will be due regardless of whether or not you attend the course. Read more company/course policies here.
Included with tuition is all instruction and all group Canyoneering equipment, i.e.: ropes, webbing, rope bags, rapides, rigging, etc. … and a Certificate of Completion!! (If you’re traveling to Los Angeles for this course, inquire about some cheap/free camping/crashing opportunities.)
Warning: The activities in this course have been found to be addictive. Only those people prepared for ultimate adventure and nonstop fun need attend!
Instructor: Klaus Gerhart – ACE (Association for Canyoneering Education) Master Instructor/Certified Guide, American Canyon Guides Association (ACGA) Certified Guide, Officer and Instructor, Certified Tactical Rappel Master, Wilderness First Responder, Swiftwater Rescue Technician, Technical Rope Rescue Technician, Map & Compass Navigation Instructor, trained Whitewater Rafting Guide, former instructor for Sierra Club’s Wilderness Travel Course, and a Master Educator for Leave No Trace wilderness ethics.

Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L1) Los Angeles, CA
2017-02-17 19:00 - 2017-02-19 17:00, 2017-03-24 - 2017-03-26, 2017-04-28 - 2017-04-30, 2017-06-02 - 2017-06-04, 2017-07-07 - 2017-07-09 (America/Denver) | Uber Adventures, 21901 Devonshire St, Chatsworth, CA, 91311, United States
3-Day Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L1) Los Angeles, CA
(…you’re invited to stay an extra day and descend a local canyon with us on Monday!)
Learn to Canyoneer!
Canyoneering and Canyoning are terms used to describe an adventure sport that combines hiking, wading, swimming, jumping, sliding, boulder-hopping, scrambling, rock-climbing, sometimes packrafting and always rappelling — often over waterfalls.
Canyoneering is an emerging adventure sport in the US, and has grown significantly in popularity over the past decade. This sport has unique risks and requires a very specific set of technical skills to enjoy it safely. Rock-climbing, caving, mountaineering and swift water training teach related skills for your ‘toolbox’, but Canyoneering has become highly specialized, and much of the gear and many of the techniques of Canyoneering are distinctly different from those of the other sports …and, that’s where we come in!
Prerequisite: None
This is a beginner to intermediate course which teaches the skills necessary to safely descend canyons as part of a group (being a competent participant and the knowledge to recognize and implement safe canyon practices). This course is designed to quickly get the beginner up-to-speed on basics, to give both the rookie and intermediate canyoneer new tools for his/her toolbox, and will help intermediate cayoneers refine their current skill set! The topics and skills covered will include:

Knots, Bends and Hitches
Canyon Rating System
Rules, Ethics, Style, Communication and Courtesy
Specific Gear Choices, Requirements, Use and Care
Belays, Lowering and Handlines
Natural, Artificial, Transient & Human Anchors
Static and Contingency Riggings
Rope Deployment, Coiling, Bagging and Etiquette
Rappelling Techniques & On-Rope Skills
(Adding Friction Pre-rappel, Mid-rappel, Locking Off, etc.)
Specialized Rappelling Techniques
(Hard Starts, Soft Starts, Free-Hanging, Over-Hanging, etc.)
Basic Climbing & Down Climbing Skills
(Bridging, Stemming, Partner Assists, Partner Captures, etc.)
Safety Checking and Basic Self-Rescue
And, within each of these broad subjects are a myriad of skills and tools.

Host: Klaus Gerhart Instructors: Klaus Gerhart and others.
The cost of this course is $395. (The course fee is non-refundable, but may be put toward a future class during the same calendar year if 30 days notice are given, cancelling your participation in this course. If 30 days notice are not given, the remaining balance will be due whether you attend the course or not.) If you’re traveling to Los Angeles for this course, please inquire about cheap/free camping/crashing opportunities. Please read more course/company policies here.
This class will begin on the evening of Day 1 (7:00pm-9:30pm) at the new HQ for UBER Adventures, 21901 Devonshire St, Chatsworth, CA 91311, with an orientation, introduction, and presentation emphasizing the canyon rating system, gear, weather, canyon topography, safety considerations, and a rundown of the logistics for the rest of the course … and getting to know each other. The class will reconvene on Days 2 and 3 (Saturday and Sunday) at Stoney Point Park in Chatsworth and will run from 7am-5:00pm both days.
Required gear for this course is a harness and a helmet (we can loan these out if you don’t have them … and we offer a 10% discount for any gear bought before/during/directly after the course), and we’ll also be loaning out carabiners, descenders, tethers, foot loops, prussiks, etc. Feel free to borrow our gear for this course, until you determine what your needs will be.

Learn to Rappel Class
2017-02-20, 2017-04-15, 2017-06-04, 2017-07-09 | Stoney Point Park, 10900 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Chatsworth, CA, 91311, United States
Learn to Rappel Class
Interested in learning to Rappel & Canyoneer?
Did the movie 127 Hours intrigue you?!
This rappelling class is a very basic introduction to rappelling, safety checks, communication and fireman belaying (bottom belaying). This class is in no way a substitute for the full Technical Canyoneering Course. This class will, however, provide you with an introduction to rappelling, safety checks, communication and bottom belays that can make taking the full course more beneficial.
We will spend the day rappelling at Stoney Point in Chatsworth.
Single strand on 8.3mm and 9.2mm static canyoneering ropes!
We will also bring our favorite descenders for you to use!
That’s all we’re going to do … all day. So …

If you don’t know how to rappel .. come learn.
If you want to try out different descenders and ropes .. come experiment.
If you know how to rappel .. come practice.

This Learn to Rappel Class will last all day .. 7am-2:00pm so bring lunch &water! You will be required to sign a release of liability and assumption of risk. You may participate all day or for a few hours … it’s YOUR day.
Gear for this class will be provided (however, if you have a climbing harness, any kind of helmet [climbing, bicycling, kayaking, snow boarding, etc], a pair of gloves [mechanics, cycling, weightlifting, garden, etc.] … please bring your own!) And feel free to bring any gear you have questions about … we’re happy to show you how to use your own descender and to answer any/all gear questions.
We will be scrambling around a lot as we rappel, scramble back up, rappel, scramble back up, rappel, scramble back up, etc. ….so wear some comfortable shoes with good ‘grip’ .. trail, running, approach shoes all work well (don’t wear rock climbing shoes). Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, maybe a hat, and clothes/layers appropriate for the forecast.
This Learn to Rappel Class is open to everyone .. so invite your friends, your teenage kids, your spouse to join! If you’d like to organize a private event for your students, colleagues, friends or for a family reunion, just give us a shout! This event also is a tremendous team-building activity!
The cost for this class is only $45 per person!! The $45 is non-refundable but may be put toward a future rappelling class in the same calendar year if 30 days notice are given cancelling your participation on this date. Read more company/course policies here.
Event Host/Organizer: Klaus Gerhart Instructors: Collin Goebel, Jeremy Eng
________________________
What people are saying about this class:
“What a fabulous day! Great group of people and awesome instructor! You have got to meet Klaus! If you haven’t tried this, you’re missing out. Klaus is all about safety first, but teaches in a way that makes you count the seconds to rappel and canyoneer! I’d rate this as a 15 out of 10! Can’t wait to see what else he’s cooking up. Thanks to Jason for his assistance!” -C- (Carmen B 2/2/13)
“Best Meetup I’ve ever been to. What a great group of people .. Klaus encourages us all to support one another and we learned how to care for each others’ safety! I look forward to more adventure and instruction! Thanks Klaus, I loved every minute of it.” -Lynda-
“Had a blast! Met very cool people. Klaus is a great instructor, super supportive and his assistant(s) are knowledgeable and patient! Can’t wait to do it again.” -Aurora-

ACE Certified Guide Assessment (ACE-L5) Los Angeles, CA
2017-02-24 - 2017-02-26 | Uber Adventures, 21901 Devonshire St, Chatsworth, CA, 91311, United States
ACE (Association for Canyoneering Education) Guide Assessment (ACE-L5)
The ACGA (American Canyon Guide Association) was formed following the dissolution of the ACA in 2011. The ACGA was to become America’s first professional association for the industry of canyoneering. Four years later, its volunteer Board of Directors and limited membership have been unable to host the guide assessments for which it was created and it has dissolved. It is the goal of ACE to independently fill this void in certifying guides from this date forward.
ACE will provide:

Certification for professional canyon guides
Standardized curricula for canyoneering instructors
Safety forums and tools for the canyoneering community

Our Mission: To set an American Standard to which professional canyon guides and instructors can be held; to present a clear path to certification for professional canyon guides; to host professional canyon guide assessments; to develop standardized technical canyoneering curricula; and to develop relationships between land managers, guide services, and training providers.
Please find below the details on the process to become a certified guide, and the benefits that accompany certification. Even if guiding isn’t in your future, the Assessment is great proof of your competence in the canyon environment. While this program is new, it is a strong one, and one which has drawn on the successes and learned from the failures of a variety of programs, both in the sport of canyoneering, and many others.
The fee for the ACE Guide Assessment is $295 + $100 (Registration w/ACE and three-year membership in ACE)

What is the path to certification for professional canyon guide?

Be proficient in all of the skills on the ACE Master Skills List.
Sign-up for and pass a 3-day ACE Guide Assessment.
Provide a Canyoneering Resume showing your:

(1) Training (dates, courses, organizations, instructors)
(2) Experience (primary leader of 30+ unique canyon descents with 6+ people each)
(3) References (4 canyoneering professionals or recreational)

Where do I learn the skills on the ACE Master Skills List?
The best way to ensure you learn ALL the technical skills on the ACE Master Skills List is to take the series of four ACE curriculum courses (L1, L2, L3, L4) offered by a variety of providers. Those 4 courses teach all the technical skills on the ACE Master Skills List. You could also learn on your own by attending any combination of courses, workshops, practices, etc, and then fill-in-the-blanks (the skills you haven’t learned yet) by reading books, searching the internet, or learning from friends. This isn’t always easy to do and the skills you learn may not be ideal. During an ACE Guide Assessment, you will be evaluated on safety, efficiency, and canyoneering-specific methods of achieving a goal. Keep that in mind should you choose to learn canyoneering from anyone other than an ACE Certified Guide or ACE Instructor.

Does ACE recognize other professional canyon guide certifications?
Yes. Submit your request to have your existing certification recognized by ACE, along with the name of the certifying entity, the curriculum and/or assessment process you went through, the date of your original certification and the date of your most recent re-certification. We will assess the program and make a determination.
If your certification is recognized, you will need to register with ACE as a professional member, pay your membership dues to ACE, and recertify every 3 years with ACE.

Are other training or certifications required to become an ACE Certified Guide?
No. We evaluate your technical proficiency and decision-making as they relate to the technical aspect of canyoneering, and a general knowledge of navigation, weather, hydrology and group health. However, Wilderness First Aid/CPR, Wilderness First Responder, Swiftwater Rescue, Leave No Trace, Meteorology, Navigation and other relevant formal training may be required by your employer, by land managers, and by insurance providers.

How is the ACE Guide Assessment administered?

In 3 parts: Classroom & Written, On-Rope Skills, and Scenarios.
Candidates will provide their own ropes and equipment for the ACE Guide Assessment unless otherwise indicated by the hosting entity.
All skills will be evaluated on safety, best application, and efficiency. ACE does not assess interpersonal skills, teaching style or likability. Therefore, these traits have no weight during an ACE Guide Assessment. Employers will make these determinations during their interview process.
Candidates will be graded Pass or Fail
In the event of a Fail during the ACE Guide Assessment, the candidate will be required to retake the entire Assessment at a future date.

What are the benefits of Professional Membership?

All the benefits associated with a Sport membership
Pro-deals & discounts (regularly pursuing new relationships)

Imlay Canyon Gear
FiveTen
Liberty Mountain
Outdoor Prolink

Evacuation Insurance group pricing (under development)
Recognition, relevance, relationships
Business listings, Employer/Employment listings & assistance
Professional Membership is $100 for three years, which includes registration, the creation of a professional profile on ACECanyoneering.com, mailing out the ACE-L5 Certified Guide certificate, and the helmet stickers.

How long does my ACE-L5 Certified Guide certification last?
The ACE-L5 Certified Guide certification is valid for three years, at which point ACE requires recertification.
ACE Master Skills List

(Weekday!) Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L1) Los Angeles, CA
2017-03-05 19:00 - 2017-03-07 17:00 | Uber Adventures, 21901 Devonshire St, Chatsworth, CA, 91311, United States
3-Day Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L1) Los Angeles, CA
(…you’re invited to stay an extra day and descend a local canyon with us on Wednesday!)
Learn to Canyoneer!
Canyoneering and Canyoning are terms used to describe an adventure sport that combines hiking, wading, swimming, jumping, sliding, boulder-hopping, scrambling, rock-climbing, sometimes packrafting and always rappelling — often over waterfalls.
Canyoneering is an emerging adventure sport in the US, and has grown significantly in popularity over the past decade. This sport has unique risks and requires a very specific set of technical skills to enjoy it safely. Rock-climbing, caving, mountaineering and swift water training teach related skills for your ‘toolbox’, but Canyoneering has become highly specialized, and much of the gear and many of the techniques of Canyoneering are distinctly different from those of the other sports …and, that’s where we come in!
Prerequisite: None
This is a beginner to intermediate course which teaches the skills necessary to safely descend canyons as part of a group (being a competent participant and the knowledge to recognize and implement safe canyon practices). This course is designed to quickly get the beginner up-to-speed on basics, to give both the rookie and intermediate canyoneer new tools for his/her toolbox, and will help intermediate cayoneers refine their current skill set! The topics and skills covered will include:

Knots, Bends and Hitches
Canyon Rating System
Rules, Ethics, Style, Communication and Courtesy
Specific Gear Choices, Requirements, Use and Care
Belays, Lowering and Handlines
Natural, Artificial, Transient & Human Anchors
Static and Contingency Riggings
Rope Deployment, Coiling, Bagging and Etiquette
Rappelling Techniques & On-Rope Skills
(Adding Friction Pre-rappel, Mid-rappel, Locking Off, etc.)
Specialized Rappelling Techniques
(Hard Starts, Soft Starts, Free-Hanging, Over-Hanging, etc.)
Basic Climbing & Down Climbing Skills
(Bridging, Stemming, Partner Assists, Partner Captures, etc.)
Safety Checking and Basic Self-Rescue
And, within each of these broad subjects are a myriad of skills and tools.

Host: Klaus Gerhart Instructors: Klaus Gerhart and others.
The cost of this course is $395. (The course fee is non-refundable, but may be put toward a future class during the same calendar year if 30 days notice are given, cancelling your participation in this course. If 30 days notice are not given, the remaining balance will be due whether you attend the course or not.) If you’re traveling to Los Angeles for this course, please inquire about cheap/free camping/crashing opportunities. Please read more course/company policies here.
This class will begin on the evening of Day 1 (7:00pm-9:30pm) at the new HQ for UBER Adventures, 21901 Devonshire St, Chatsworth, CA 91311, with an orientation, introduction, and presentation emphasizing the canyon rating system, gear, weather, canyon topography, safety considerations, and a rundown of the logistics for the rest of the course … and getting to know each other. The class will reconvene on Days 2 and 3 at Stoney Point Park in Chatsworth and will run from 7am-5:00pm both days.
Required gear for this course is a harness and a helmet (we can loan these out if you don’t have them … and we offer a 10% discount for any gear bought before/during/directly after the course), and we’ll also be loaning out carabiners, descenders, tethers, foot loops, prussiks, etc. Feel free to borrow our gear for this course, until you determine what your needs will be.

Canyon Rescue Course (ACE-L4) Los Angeles, CA
2017-03-10 - 2017-03-12 | Uber Adventures, 21901 Devonshire St, Chatsworth, CA, 91311, United States
Canyon Rescue Course (ACE-L4)
Train Hard. Plan Well. Be Safe.
…but accidents still happen.
This Canyon Rescue Course by Uber Adventures teaches the skills necessary to perform immediate, in-canyon self-rescues, partner rescues, and how to assist with group emergencies … all with your groups’ normal rack-and-pack (the minimal gear you should carry on your harnesses and in your packs.)
Boost your confidence and fill your mental toolbox with skills to handle technical emergencies.
This course not only teaches you the skills and methods necessary to execute a variety of rescue procedures, but it provides the impetus for critical thinking through an emergency.
How would you help a canyoneer stuck on a rope? How would you help an unconscious canyoneer stuck on a rope? How quickly could you figure out how to convert a static block to a lowering system? Could you haul a rappeller back to the top of a drop by yourself? Have you ever been in a canyon, assessing a fictional problem and felt helpless? Are your responsibilities in a canyoneering event greater because you’re the leader/organizer? Would you like to be a more valuable team member? This course is vital for not only canyoneering leaders, but also for conscientious recreational canyoneers who value their own safety and the safety of their party.
With the technical skills presented in this course, you could prevent the need for calling in an expensive Search And Rescue team, avoid putting rescuers at risk, avoid spending the night in a canyon, and continue a canyon descent with a non-critically injured teammate.
Prerequisite: Participants should have some advanced formal canyoneering-specific training. This course builds on the skills taught in the Uber Adventures’ 3-day Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L1), the Advanced Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2) AND the Canyon Leader Course (ACE-L3). While we are not requiring the completion of each of those courses as a prerequisite, those who have had advanced formal canyoneering training will find it easier to ‘keep-up’ with this curriculum. If you’re not sure if this is the course for you, please give us a call and we can discuss your skills and training.
The topics and skills covered will include:

Knots, Rope Grabs & Progress Capture Methods
Anchors, Rigging & Friction Dynamics for Rescue
Mechanical Advantage and Haul Systems
Converting Static Rigging to Haul or Lower
Assisted Rappel & Tandem Rappel Techniques
Hero Rescue, Balancier Lift
Rappelling on a Tensioned Rope
Guide Ropes, Tag Lines, Belays
Cut-and-Lower Procedures
Special Ascending Techniques for Rescue
Pick-Off Procedures Scenario
Considerations for musculoskeletal injuries

Instructor: Klaus Gerhart
(If you are traveling to Los Angeles for this course, inquire about cheap/free camping/crashing opportunities.) Read company/course policies here.

Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L1) Phoenix, AZ
2017-03-31 - 2017-04-02 | Tonto NF, Phoenix, AZ, United States
3-Day Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L1) – Phoenix, Arizona
Learn to Canyoneer!
Canyoneering and Canyoning are terms used to describe an adventure sport that combines hiking, wading, swimming, jumping, sliding, boulder-hopping, scrambling, rock-climbing, sometimes packrafting and always rappelling — often over waterfalls.
Canyoneering is an emerging adventure sport in the US, and has grown significantly in popularity over the past decade. This sport has unique risks and requires a very specific set of technical skills to enjoy it safely. Rock-climbing, caving, mountaineering and swift water training teach related skills for your ‘toolbox’, but Canyoneering has become highly specialized, and much of the gear and many of the techniques of Canyoneering are distinctly different from those of the other sports …and, that’s where we come in!
Prerequisite: None
This is a beginner to intermediate course which teaches the skills necessary to safely descend canyons as part of a group (being a competent participant and the knowledge to recognize and implement safe canyon practices). This course is designed to quickly get the beginner up-to-speed on basics, to give both the rookie and intermediate canyoneer new tools for his/her toolbox, and will help intermediate cayoneers refine their current skill set! The topics and skills covered will include:

Knots, Bends and Hitches
Canyon Rating System
Rules, Ethics, Style, Communication and Courtesy
Specific Gear Choices, Requirements, Use and Care
Belays, Lowering and Handlines
Natural, Artificial, Transient & Human Anchors
Static and Contingency Riggings
Rope Deployment, Coiling, Bagging and Etiquette
Rappelling Techniques & On-Rope Skills
(Adding Friction Pre-rappel, Mid-rappel, Locking Off, etc.)
Specialized Rappelling Techniques
(Hard Starts, Soft Starts, Free-Hanging, Over-Hanging, etc.)
Basic Climbing & Down Climbing Skills
(Bridging, Stemming, Partner Assists, Partner Captures, etc.)
Safety Checking and Basic Self-Rescue
And, within each of these broad subjects are a myriad of skills and tools.

Host: Klaus Gerhart Instructors: Klaus Gerhart, Jason Marvin
The cost of this course is $395. (The course fee is non-refundable, but may be put toward a future class during the same calendar year if 30 days notice are given, cancelling your participation in this course.) Please read more course/company policies here.
This class will begin on Friday evening (6:30-9:00) at our campsite/training site (location will be provided to participants … it’s about 30 miles from Central Phoenix) with an orientation, introduction, and presentation on the canyon rating system, gear, weather, canyon topography … and getting to know each other. The class will reconvene on Saturday and Sunday at the same location and will run from 7am-5:00pm both days. Whether you’re local to the Phoenix, Arizona region or whether you’re traveling to Arizona for this course, you are welcome to camp at our training site on Friday and Saturday evening, or you can travel to the training site from your home or hotel!
This course immediately precedes our UBERFest: Arizona .. participants in this course are welcome to join us for some real canyoneering at this event!
Required gear for this course is a harness and a helmet (I can loan these out if you don’t have them … and I will offer a 10% discount for any gear bought before/during/directly after the course), and I’ll also be loaning out carabiners, descenders, tethers, foot loops, prussiks, etc. Feel free to borrow my gear for this course, until you determine what your needs will be.

UBERFest: Arizona 2017
2017-04-05 - 2017-04-09 | Roosevelt Lake, Roosevelt Lake, AZ
UBERFest: Arizona 2017
Who wants to go to Arizona for some real (wet) canyoneering?!
The only fee for this trip is a $45/person non-refundable fee which includes camping! Because canyoneering is inherently dangerous, this event is ONLY open to people with professional canyoneering training by UBER Adventures, training from an APPROVED training provider, has passed the Uber Adventures Equivalency Assessment, or has significant canyoneering experience! Because this event is a social activity, we will need some people willing to lead rookies through some awesome, wet, yet friendly, canyons!

If you want to go to this event … get the training and become a competent participant and valuable team member!
Some of the logistics: We’ve reserved a large group campsite near Globe, AZ. It will hold 100 people (though fewer cars)! This campsite has water, fire rings, covered pavilion/picnic area, restrooms and showers!
CARPOOL! DO IT! Two people to a car would be reasonable when you consider camping gear, coolers, canyoneering gear and the fact that there will likely be car shuttles required for some of the canyons.
You’re also responsible for your own travel, and your own meals … except!… We will have a post-dinner DESSERT POTLUCK on Saturday evening at 8:00pm. So, bring something sweet to share!
These are some of the canyons you should try to find beta for: Barnhardt, Big Kahuna, Waterslides, Parker, The Jug of Salome Creek, Punchbowl, ZigZag, Minnow, Christopher Creek, ETC! MOST of these canyons will require a wetsuit as the water will be frigid, even if the weather is not! (think melting snow runoff) If you’re going to rent one, get a 4/3 and wear a rain shell over the top to keep the wind from evaporative-cooling you.
P.S. I’m limiting the RSVP’s to +1 … if your +1 hasn’t taken the Uber Adventures 3-day Technical Canyoneering Course, they need my permission or should not be attending.
– Sign-Up Here! –

WEEKDAY Canyon Leader Course (ACE-L3) Los Angeles, CA
2017-04-17 - 2017-04-18 | Stoney Point Park, 10900 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Chatsworth, CA, 91311, United States
Canyon Leader Course (ACE-L3) Los Angeles, CA on a WEEKDAY!
Improve your skills and expand your ‘toolbox’!
Uber Adventures’ Canyon Leader Course (ACE-L3) is designed to prepare some for Leading Canyons, and others for an improved toolbox of skills; specifically providing the next level of skills training through technical instruction and experiential practice. While these tools are a vital component for any active canyoneer, they are imperative for anyone leading rookies, kids, family or friends into a canyon. This course provides strategic training for unexpected technical and group management challenges … when things don’t go quite as planned!
While this course is designed primarily to meet the needs of recreational canyoneers, it also serves as a bridge between the Advanced Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2) and the Canyon Rescue Course (ACE-L4), and forms the training foundation for those planning to seek certification as a Professional Canyon Guide (ACE-L5)!
Skills covered include:

Alternate Guided Rappel Options to keep people dry
Group Gear Choices & Distribution, Pack Management
Strand Isolation and Leapfrogging for speeding things up
Static Courtesy Rappels to make hard-starts easier
Dynamic Courtesy Rappels to make super-hard-starts safer and easier
Lowering Systems for emergencies and speed
Pre-Rigged Rappels and Rigging Kids for Rappel
Static & Dynamic Edge Protection to increase rope life
Direct Top Belays, Handlines and Sequencing
Passing Knots on Ascend and Rappel
Converting Static Block to Lowering System for assist or rescue
Isolating In-Field Rope Damage (Core Shot)
Constructing a Swiss Seat or Swami for rescue or gear failure
Rappelling on a Munter for emergencies
Advanced Friction Options

Prerequisites: Since this course builds upon the skills and techniques presented in our Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L1) AND our Advanced Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2), we recommend that you’ve either taken both courses or have significant relevant personal experience before taking this class (please inquire if you’re unsure if this is the correct course for your current skill set).
Required Gear: Harness, Helmet, Rappel Device, Figure 8 for Rigging, Gloves, 5-6 HMS Screwgate Carabiners, 48″ Sling or Foot Loop, Personal Safety Tether/Lanyard, Prusik Loop, Ascender(s), 20′ Cordelette or Canyon Cordelette (and appropriate shoes and pack).
Logistics: This course will be on Monday and Tuesday … most of the course will be held at Stoney Point Park in Chatsworth, with part of the class, possibly held at Uber Adventures at 21901 Devonshire St, Chatsworth, CA 91311. (If you are traveling to Los Angeles for this course, inquire about cheap/free camping/crashing opportunities.)
Tuition: This Canyon Leader Course (ACE-L3) is $395 per individual. Tuition is non-refundable and non-transferrable but may be put toward a future course in the same calendar year if 30 days notice are given cancelling your participation in this course. Feel free to post any questions on this event or send me a greeting/e-mail through meetup. Included with tuition is: A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION!!
Instructor: Klaus Gerhart
Please read the course policies here: Policies

Advanced Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2) Moab, UT
2017-05-06 - 2017-05-07 | Goose Island CG, Moab, UT, United States
Advanced Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2) Moab, UT
This Advanced Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2) is designed to provide students with the tools needed to jump to the next level of technical skill and become competent and safe canyoneers in ALL classes of canyons and touches on techniques and skills for Canyon Leader (ACE-L3) and Canyon Rescue (ACE-L4). The practical experience that you gain during this course will give you the knowledge and confidence to tackle advanced canyon obstacles and many unexpected situations. This extremely popular curriculum has set the standard by which all other courses and curriculums may be judged. This course was designed primarily to meet the needs of recreational canyoneers, but also forms the training foundation for those planning to seek certification as a Professional Canyon Guide (ACE-L5).
Prerequisite: Uber Adventures’ 3-day Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L1) or Instructor permission. Since this Two-Day Advanced Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2) builds upon the skills and techniques presented in our 3-Day Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L1), you must have that training or extensive personal experience to be admitted to this class.
The topics covered include:

Efficient Rope Management
Advanced Knots & Hitches
Retrievable/Releasable Anchor Systems
Transient Anchors
Artificial Anchors Installation & Inspection
Advanced Rope Deployment Methods
Multi-Pitch Rappels
Simul Rappels
Advanced Rope Work for Traverses/Re-Belays
Guided Rappels & Tensioning Systems
Deviations/Re-Directs
3 Ascending Methods & Converting to Rappel
Transitioning on top of Ascend
Pothole Escape Techniques
Basics of Mechanical Advantage
Group Dynamics and Leadership

Basic personal gear is required for this course: Harness, Helmet, Rappel Device, Safety Tether, Multiple Locking HMS Carabiners, 48″ sling/runner/footloop, prusik loop. And any mechanical ascenders you would like to learn how to use (Ropeman II recommended … or Basic, Micro, etc .. bring them.) I will provide Ropeman II’s for training/practice! (Uber Adventures also offers a 10% discount off all gear purchased before/during/after this course!)
Tuition for this 2-Day Advanced Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2) is $395 per individual. A $100 non-refundable deposit will reserve your space in this class. While the deposit is non-transferrable and non-refundable, it may be put toward a future course in the same calendar year if 30 days notice are given, cancelling your participation. Read more company/course policies here.
This class will begin in Moab at our training site each morning (Saturday-Sunday) at 7:00am and will finish around 5pm each afternoon. You’ll need to get your own camping, or to stay at a motel … your choice. (Uber Adventures provides no camping gear.) Included with tuition is all instruction and all group Canyoneering equipment, i.e.: ropes, webbing, rope bags, rapides, rigging, etc. … and a Certificate of Completion!!
Warning: The activities in this course have been found to be addictive. Only those people prepared for ultimate adventure and nonstop fun need attend!
Instructor: Klaus Gerhart – ACE (Association for Canyoneering Education) Master Instructor/Certified Guide, American Canyon Guides Association (ACGA) Certified Guide, Officer and Instructor, Certified Tactical Rappel Master, Wilderness First Responder, Swiftwater Rescue Technician, Technical Rope Rescue Technician, Map & Compass Navigation Instructor, trained Whitewater Rafting Guide, former instructor for Sierra Club’s Wilderness Travel Course, and a Master Educator for Leave No Trace wilderness ethics.

Map & Compass Navigation
2017-05-06 - 2017-05-07 | Uber Adventures, 21901 Devonshire St, Chatsworth, CA, 91311, United States
Map & Compass Navigation (aka Orienteering): The Art of Staying Found
“I’m pretty sure you can’t get there from here.” –overheard–
Gain confidence in finding your way and knowing where you are whether you’re on-trail or traveling cross-country. This comprehensive 2-day course covers the essential skills of back-country navigation using the most reliable equipment: Map & Compass
YOU are the ‘WHO‘ … we’ll provide the ‘WHAT‘, ‘WHERE‘, ‘WHEN‘, ‘WHY‘ and ‘HOW‘ of Map & Compass Navigation. In the age of Global Positioning Satellites (and the electronic devices used to access the network … commonly referred to as GPS units), why is learning Map & Compass navigation still relevant? Think of a GPS as a luxury, and a Map & Compass as a necessity. Will a GPS work if the batteries die? Will a GPS work in a canyon? Will a GPS work when it’s overcast or if under a canopy of trees? Will a GPS be useful without maps? The answer to those questions is “probably not!” While a GPS is a fantastic tool, it is not as reliable as ye olde map and compass.
Staying found (or not getting lost) is not an instinct or an innate skill … but it CAN be learned.
In this vital class, you’ll be trained in and have time to practice the following:

Parts of a Compass & how they work together
Magnetic North and how to use Declination to adjust for True North
Topographic Map Legend, Symbols & Contour Lines
Terrain Recognition for interpreting features
Micro-Navigation to keeping track of exact location
Dead Reckoning for obscure navigation challenges
Naismith’s Rule & Backpacker’s Rule for trip preparation and estimating distance travelled
Orienting a Map in the field
Taking Bearings/Plotting Bearings
Finding Location through Triangulation
Latitude/Longitude vs UTM Coordinates
Tips & Tricks for Navigating without Map & Compass!

Day 1: …will be held in our classroom in Chatsworth, CA 8:00-5:00pm
Day 2: …will be held in-the-field near Agua Dulce, CA (about 20 miles up Hwy 14, so consider setting up carpools during the class on Day 1) 9:00-2:00pm

The cost of this 2-day course is $195 and includes all instruction, handouts and USGS topographic maps (quadrangles) for the practice area. Compasses will be available at the store at a 15% discount ($45.89). The compasses we recommend and the ones which will be for sale are the Silva Ranger CL. If you decide to bring your own compass or another brand/style, please be sure it has a sighting mirror, orienting arrow, orienting lines, clear base plate, declination scale and a rotating dial/bezel.

Hosted by Klaus Gerhart | Instructor: Brian Swanson Canyon Leader for Canyoneering California, Basic Mountaineering and Navigation Instructor for Sierra Club’s Wilderness Travel Course.

Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L1) Moab, UT
2017-05-12 - 2017-05-14 | Goose Island CG, Moab, UT, United States
3-Day Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L1) Moab, UT
Learn to Canyoneer!
Canyoneering and Canyoning are terms used to describe an adventure sport that combines hiking, wading, swimming, jumping, sliding, boulder-hopping, scrambling, rock-climbing, sometimes packrafting and always rappelling — often over waterfalls.
Canyoneering is an emerging adventure sport in the US, and has grown significantly in popularity over the past decade. This sport has unique risks and requires a very specific set of technical skills to enjoy it safely. Rock-climbing, caving, mountaineering and swift water training teach related skills for your ‘toolbox’, but Canyoneering has become highly specialized, and much of the gear and many of the techniques of Canyoneering are distinctly different from those of the other sports …and, that’s where we come in!
Prerequisite: None
This is a beginner to intermediate course which teaches the skills necessary to safely descend canyons as part of a group (being a competent participant and the knowledge to recognize and implement safe canyon practices). This course is designed to quickly get the beginner up-to-speed on basics, to give both the rookie and intermediate canyoneer new tools for his/her toolbox, and will help intermediate cayoneers refine their current skill set! The topics and skills covered will include:

Knots, Bends and Hitches
Canyon Rating System
Rules, Ethics, Style, Communication and Courtesy
Specific Gear Choices, Requirements, Use and Care
Belays, Lowering and Handlines
Natural, Artificial, Transient & Human Anchors
Static and Contingency Riggings
Rope Deployment, Coiling, Bagging and Etiquette
Rappelling Techniques & On-Rope Skills
(Adding Friction Pre-rappel, Mid-rappel, Locking Off, etc.)
Specialized Rappelling Techniques
(Hard Starts, Soft Starts, Free-Hanging, Over-Hanging, etc.)
Basic Climbing & Down Climbing Skills
(Bridging, Stemming, Partner Assists, Partner Captures, etc.)
Safety Checking and Basic Self-Rescue
And, within each of these broad subjects are a myriad of skills and tools.

Host: Klaus Gerhart Instructors: Klaus Gerhart, and team
The cost of this course is $395 and includes camping! (The course fee is non-refundable, but may be put toward a future class during the same calendar year if 30 days notice are given, cancelling your participation in this course.) Please read more course/company policies here.
This class will begin in Moab at our campsite on Friday evening from 7:00pm-9:30pm and will reconvene each morning (Saturday-Sunday) at 7:00am and will finish around 5:00pm each afternoon, allowing for some hikes and sight-seeing in the area. Feel free to camp with us, to get your own camping, or to stay at a motel … your choice. (Uber Adventures provides no camping gear.)
Required gear for this course is a harness and a helmet (we can loan these out if you don’t have them … and we will offer a 10% discount for any gear bought before/during/directly after the course), and we’ll also be loaning out carabiners, descenders, tethers, foot loops, prussiks, etc. Feel free to borrow our gear for this course, until you determine what your needs will be.

Canyon Leader Course (ACE-L3) Moab, UT
2017-05-16 - 2017-05-17 | Goose Island CG, Moab, UT, United States
Canyon Leader Course (ACE-L3) Moab, UT
Improve your skills and expand your ‘toolbox’!
Uber Adventures’ Canyon Leader Course (ACE-L3) is designed to prepare some for Leading Canyons, and others for an improved toolbox of skills; specifically providing the next level of skills training through technical instruction and experiential practice. While these tools are a vital component for any active canyoneer, they are imperative for anyone leading rookies, kids, family or friends into a canyon. This course provides strategic training for unexpected technical and group management challenges … when things don’t go quite as planned!
While this course is designed primarily to meet the needs of recreational canyoneers, it also serves as a bridge between the Advanced Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2) and the Canyon Rescue Course (ACE-L4), and forms the training foundation for those planning to seek certification as a Professional Canyon Guide (ACE-L5)!
Skills covered include:

Alternate Guided Rappel Options to keep people dry
Group Gear Choices & Distribution, Pack Management
Strand Isolation and Leapfrogging for speeding things up
Static Courtesy Rappels to make hard-starts easier
Dynamic Courtesy Rappels to make super-hard-starts safer and easier
Lowering Systems for emergencies and speed
Pre-Rigged Rappels and Rigging Kids for Rappel
Static & Dynamic Edge Protection to increase rope life
Direct Top Belays, Handlines and Sequencing
Passing Knots on Ascend and Rappel
Converting Static Block to Lowering System for assist or rescue
Isolating In-Field Rope Damage (Core Shot)
Constructing a Swiss Seat or Swami for rescue or gear failure
Rappelling on a Munter for emergencies
Advanced Friction Options

Prerequisites: Since this course builds upon the skills and techniques presented in our Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L1) AND our Advanced Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2), we recommend that you’ve either taken both courses or have significant relevant personal experience before taking this class (please inquire if you’re unsure if this is the correct course for your current skill set).
Required Gear: Harness, Helmet, Rappel Device, Figure 8 for Rigging, Gloves, 5-6 HMS Screwgate Carabiners, 48″ Sling or Foot Loop, Personal Safety Tether/Lanyard, Prusik Loop, Ascender(s), 20′ Cordelette or Canyon Cordelette (and appropriate shoes and pack).
Logistics: This class will begin at our campsite each morning (Tuesday-Wednesday) at 7:00am and will finish around 5:00pm each afternoon, allowing for some hikes and sight-seeing in the area. Feel free to camp with us, to get your own camping, or to stay at a motel … your choice. (Uber Adventures provides no camping gear.) Please take note that this course immediately precedes our UBERFest: Moab! (RSVP for UBERFest: Moab-Arches here)
Tuition: This Canyon Leader Course (ACE-L3) is $395 per individual … and includes camping! Tuition is non-refundable and non-transferrable but may be put toward a future course in the same calendar year if 30 days notice are given cancelling your participation in this course. Feel free to post any questions on this event or send me a greeting/e-mail through meetup. Included with tuition is: use of all group canyoneering gear, camping, and A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION!!
Instructor: Klaus Gerhart
Please read the course policies here: Policies

UBERFest: Moab-Arches 2017
2017-05-17 - 2017-05-21 | Goose Island CG, Moab, UT, United States
UBERFest: Moab-Arches 2017
Who wants to go to Moab for some spring canyoneering?!
The fee for this 4-day canyoneering extravaganza is $45/person. The fee is non-refundable and includes camping! (If you cancel anytime after you sign-up, you forfeit your $45 as a cancellation fee.) Since parking is our limiting factor, If you do not carpool to this event, you may be required to pay an additional fee.

Because canyoneering is inherently dangerous, this event is ONLY open to 1) people who have graduated from Uber Adventures’ 3-day Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L1) or greater (ACE-L2-L3-L4), or 2) students who have graduated from a 3-day technical canyoneering course from another approved provider, 3) anyone who has passed the Uber Adventures Equivalency Assessment, or 4) awesome partners with significant canyoneering experience! (ACA’s ART of Canyoneering & ACA’s Ground School and many other courses are not sufficient training to attend this event). If you’re not sure if your training or experience qualify, give me a shout before you sign-up! Because this event is SOCIAL, we will rely on experienced people to allow some rookies in their groups while descending appropriate canyons!

There are several Uber Adventures 3-Day Technical Canyoneering Courses (ACE-L1) offered between now and this event (including one immediately preceding this event in Moab. If you want to go to this event, get the training and become a competent participant and valuable team member!
LEADERS: Most of the canyons in this region are short and straightforward. Sometimes the difficulty is navigating to the drop-in and back to your car; and a couple of the canyons have some significant exposure for the first rappel … most are simple and strikingly beautiful!

CAMPING: I’ve reserved 2 group campsites near Moab, UT. “…located along one of the most scenic sections of the Colorado River, Navajo Sandstone cliffs soar above the river directly across from the campground!” Together they will hold 40+ people (but only 20 cars)! These 2 campsites each have one fire ring, a few picnic tables under a covered pavilion and enough room for our tents, as long as we’re friends (LOL)!! There are pit-toilets (out houses), but no running water … there are a few local options for filling our water jugs and a couple nearby options for pay showers, along with gear shops, supermarkets and restaurants. We are also only a few miles from the entrance to Arches National Park, and Verizon cell service!
CARPOOL! DO IT! It’s 11 hours away from Los Angeles. Two people to a car would be reasonable when you consider camping gear, coolers, canyoneering gear and shuttling to the canyons. Also, it is likely that you will be canyoneering with your carpool mate since you are sharing transportation.
You are responsible for your own travel, and your own meals … except!… we should absolutely DO A DESSERT POTLUCK on Friday evening at 8:00pm … bring something sweet to share!
CANYONEERING: Most of the canyons in the area are short, so I’ve put together some combos you could think about! 1) Elephant Butte & Dragonfly, 2) Tierdrop, Not Tierdrop & U-Turn, 3) Undercover & MMI, 4) Winter Camp Slot & Repeat Jr., 5) Rock of Ages & Camel Toe. (I will help arrange canyon leaders with participants).
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK: Don’t forget about all the cool things to see in and around the park: Delicate Arch & Wolfe Ranch, Landscape Arch, The Fiery Furnace, the Windows Section, Park Avenue, Corona Arch, etc. When you find yourself done early one day, plan on doing one of those hikes to go see some arches!
DIRECTIONS TO THE CAMPSITE: Will be provided to participants.
P.S. Feel free to bring someone, however, if your +1 hasn’t taken the Uber Adventures 3-day Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L1) they need my approval.

Canyon Rescue Course (ACE-L4) Moab, UT
2017-05-20 - 2017-05-22 | Goose Island CG, Moab, UT, United States
Canyon Rescue Course (ACE-L4) Moab, UT
Train Hard. Plan Well. Be Safe.
…but accidents still happen.
This Canyon Rescue Course (ACE-L4) by Uber Adventures teaches the skills necessary to perform immediate, in-canyon self-rescues, partner rescues, and how to assist with group emergencies … all with your groups’ normal rack-and-pack (the minimal gear you should carry on your harnesses and in your packs.)
Boost your confidence and fill your mental toolbox with skills to handle technical emergencies.
This course not only teaches you the skills and methods necessary to execute a variety of rescue procedures, but it provides the impetus for critical thinking through an emergency.
How would you help a canyoneer stuck on a rope? How would you help an unconscious canyoneer stuck on a rope? How quickly could you figure out how to convert a static block to a lowering system? Could you haul a rappeller back to the top of a drop by yourself? Have you ever been in a canyon, assessing a fictional problem and felt helpless? Are your responsibilities in a canyoneering event greater because you’re the leader/organizer? Would you like to be a more valuable team member? This course is vital for not only canyoneering leaders, but also for conscientious recreational canyoneers who value their own safety and the safety of their party.
With the technical skills presented in this course, you could prevent the need for calling in an expensive Search And Rescue team, avoid putting rescuers at risk, avoid spending the night in a canyon, and continue a canyon descent with a non-critically injured teammate.
Prerequisite: Participants should have some advanced formal canyoneering-specific training. This course builds on the skills taught in the Uber Adventures’ 3-day Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L1), the Advanced Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2) AND the Canyon Leader Course (ACE-L3). While we are not requiring the completion of each of those courses as a prerequisite, those who have had advanced formal canyoneering training will find it easier to ‘keep-up’ with this curriculum. If you’re not sure if this is the course for you, please give us a call and we can discuss your skills and training.
The topics and skills covered will include:

Knots, Rope Grabs & Progress Capture Methods
Anchors, Rigging & Friction Dynamics for Rescue
Mechanical Advantage and Haul Systems
Converting Static Rigging to Haul or Lower
Assisted Rappel & Tandem Rappel Techniques
Hero Rescue, Balancier Lift
Rappelling on a Tensioned Rope
Guide Ropes, Tag Lines, Belays
Cut-and-Lower Procedures
Special Ascending Techniques for Rescue
Pick-Off Procedures Scenario
Considerations for musculoskeletal injuries

Instructor: Klaus Gerhart
The cost of this course is $395 and includes camping! (The course fee is non-refundable, but may be put toward a future class during the same calendar year if 30 days notice are given, cancelling your participation in this course.) Please read more course/company policies here.
This class will begin in Moab at our campsite on Saturday evening from 7:00pm-9:30pm and will reconvene each morning (Sunday-Monday) at 7:00am and will finish around 5:00pm each afternoon, allowing for some hikes and sight-seeing in the area. Feel free to camp with us, to get your own camping, or to stay at a motel … your choice. (Uber Adventures provides no camping gear.) Please note this class begins on the final day of the UBERFest: Moab-Arches 2017! (RSVP for UBERFest: Moab-Arches 2017 … here)
Required gear for this course is all of your personal gear including: harness, helmet, safety tether, foot loop, prusik, vt prusik, ascenders, rappel device, carabiners and a canyon cordelette (we can loan out some of the hardware and specialty items if you don’t have them … and we will offer a 10% discount for any gear bought before/during/directly after the course).

ACE Certified Guide Assessment (ACE-L5) Moab, UT
2017-05-26 - 2017-05-28 | Goose Island CG, Moab, UT, United States
ACE (Association for Canyoneering Education) Guide Assessment (ACE-L5) Moab, UT – Hosted by Uber Adventures
The ACGA (American Canyon Guide Association) was formed following the dissolution of the ACA in 2011. The ACGA was to become America’s first professional association for the industry of canyoneering. Four years later, its volunteer Board of Directors and limited membership have been unable to host the guide assessments for which it was created and it has dissolved. It is the goal of ACE to independently fill this void in certifying guides from this date forward.
ACE will provide:

Certification for professional canyon guides
Standardized curricula for canyoneering instructors
Safety forums and tools for the canyoneering community

Our Mission: To set an American Standard to which professional canyon guides and instructors can be held; to present a clear path to certification for professional canyon guides; to host professional canyon guide assessments; to develop standardized technical canyoneering curricula; and to develop relationships between land managers, guide services, and training providers.
Please find below the details on the process to become a certified guide, and the benefits that accompany certification. Even if guiding isn’t in your future, the Assessment is great proof of your competence in the canyon environment. While this program is new, it is a strong one, and one which has drawn on the successes and learned from the failures of a variety of programs, both in the sport of canyoneering, and many others.
The fee for the ACE Guide Assessment is $295 + $100 ($25 Registration w/ACE and $75 first year membership in ACE)

What is the path to certification for professional canyon guide?

Be proficient in all of the skills on the ACE Master Skills List.
Sign-up for and pass a 3-day ACE Guide Assessment.
Provide a Canyoneering Resume showing your:

(1) Training (dates, courses, organizations, instructors)
(2) Experience (primary leader of 30+ unique canyon descents with 6+ people each)
(3) References (4 canyoneering professionals or recreational)

Where do I learn the skills on the ACE Master Skills List?
The best way to ensure you learn ALL the technical skills on the ACE Master Skills List is to take the series of four ACE curriculum courses (L1, L2, L3, L4) offered by a variety of providers. Those 4 courses teach all the technical skills on the ACE Master Skills List. You could also learn on your own by attending any combination of courses, workshops, practices, etc, and then fill-in-the-blanks (the skills you haven’t learned yet) by reading books, searching the internet, or learning from friends. This isn’t always easy to do and the skills you learn may not be ideal. During an ACE Guide Assessment, you will be evaluated on safety, efficiency, and canyoneering-specific methods of achieving a goal. Keep that in mind should you choose to learn canyoneering from anyone other than an ACE Certified Guide or ACE Instructor.

Does ACE recognize other professional canyon guide certifications?
Yes. Submit your request to have your existing certification recognized by ACE, along with the name of the certifying entity, the curriculum and/or assessment process you went through, the date of your original certification and the date of your most recent re-certification. We will assess the program and make a determination.
If your certification is recognized, you will need to register with ACE as a professional member, pay your membership dues to ACE, and recertify every 3 years with ACE.

Are other training or certifications required to become an ACE Certified Guide?
No. We evaluate your technical proficiency and decision-making as they relate to the technical aspect of canyoneering, and a general knowledge of navigation, weather, hydrology and group health. However, Wilderness First Aid/CPR, Wilderness First Responder, Swiftwater Rescue, Leave No Trace, Meteorology, Navigation and other relevant formal training may be required by your employer, by land managers, and by insurance providers.

How is the ACE Guide Assessment administered?

In 3 parts: Classroom & Written, On-Rope Skills, and Scenarios.
Candidates will provide their own ropes and equipment for the ACE Guide Assessment unless otherwise indicated by the hosting entity.
All skills will be evaluated on safety, best application, and efficiency. ACE does not assess interpersonal skills, teaching style or likability. Therefore, these traits have no weight during an ACE Guide Assessment. Employers will make these determinations during their interview process.
Candidates will be graded Pass or Fail
In the event of a Fail during the ACE Guide Assessment, the candidate will be required to retake the entire Assessment at a future date.

What are the benefits of Professional Membership?

All the benefits associated with a Sport membership
Pro-deals & discounts (regularly pursuing new relationships)

Imlay Canyon Gear
FiveTen
Liberty Mountain
Outdoor Prolink

Evacuation Insurance group pricing (under development)
Discounts on Continuing Education (regularly pursuing new relationships)

15% off Wilderness First Responder Courses with Sierra Rescue. “We have over 28 years of experience as front country and wilderness EMTs, wild-land and structure fire fighters, river guides, climbing and mountaineering guides, instructors in outdoor leadership, members of search and rescue teams. With our diverse background and our 15 years of teaching experience we strive to offer you the best and most fun course for your time and money.” https://sierrarescue.com
15% off any course or private instruction with Vertical Adventures rock climbing school. “Since 1983, Vertical Adventures rock climbing school has been Southern California’s rock climbing school leader, setting the standard of professionalism with our low student to instructor ratios, excellent safety record, and exceptional rock climbing guides.” https://www.vertical-adventures.com
20% off River Rescue Certification Course with Sierra Rescue and a special 1-hour evening presentation during the course to ACE students on Hydrology. “Sierra Rescue, also known as Rescue 3 West, is the regional training center for Rescue 3 Instructor Trainers and Instructors. Rescue 3 International is the largest certifying body of swiftwater rescue classes in the world.” https://sierrarescue.com/
20% off technical training with Sierra Mountaineering International including Mountaineering, Backcountry Skiing, Rock Climbing, Ice Climbing, Snow Travel/Crevasse Rescue & Avalanche Rescue. “Sierra Mountaineering International was founded by Kurt Wedberg in the fall of 1995. We are specialists in all types of mountaineering guiding and instruction year round in the inspiring and beautiful Sierra Nevada. We invite you to come learn why hundreds of our clients repeatedly return to us for more new and exciting training in the Sierra!” http://sierramountaineering.com

Recognition, relevance, relationships
Business listings, Employer/Employment listings & assistance
Professional Membership is $75/year. There is also a $25 one-time registration fee which covers the cost of creating a professional profile on ACECanyoneering.com, mailing out the ACE-L5 Certified Guide certificate, and the helmet stickers.

How long does my ACE-L5 Certified Guide certification last?
The ACE-L5 Certified Guide certification is valid for three years, at which point ACE requires recertification.
ACE Master Skills List

Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L1) Boulder, CO
2017-06-09 - 2017-06-11, 2017-06-23 - 2017-06-25 | Elephant Buttresses Parking Lot, ½ mi. west of Eben G Fine park on HW119 (Boulder Blvd.), Boulder, CO, United States
3-Day Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L1) Boulder, CO
Learn to Canyoneer!
Canyoneering and Canyoning are terms used to describe an adventure sport that combines hiking, wading, swimming, jumping, sliding, boulder-hopping, scrambling, rock-climbing, sometimes packrafting and always rappelling — often over waterfalls.
Canyoneering is an emerging adventure sport in the US, and has grown significantly in popularity over the past decade. This sport has unique risks and requires a very specific set of technical skills to enjoy it safely. Rock-climbing, caving, mountaineering and swift water training teach related skills for your ‘toolbox’, but Canyoneering has become highly specialized, and much of the gear and many of the techniques of Canyoneering are distinctly different from those of the other sports …and, that’s where we come in!
Prerequisite: None
This is a beginner to intermediate course which teaches the skills necessary to safely descend canyons as part of a group (being a competent participant and the knowledge to recognize and implement safe canyon practices). This course is designed to quickly get the beginner up-to-speed on basics, to give both the rookie and intermediate canyoneer new tools for his/her toolbox, and will help intermediate cayoneers refine their current skill set! The topics and skills covered will include:

Knots, Bends and Hitches
Canyon Rating System
Rules, Ethics, Style, Communication and Courtesy
Specific Gear Choices, Requirements, Use and Care
Belays, Lowering and Handlines
Natural, Artificial, Transient & Human Anchors
Static and Contingency Riggings
Rope Deployment, Coiling, Bagging and Etiquette
Rappelling Techniques & On-Rope Skills
(Adding Friction Pre-rappel, Mid-rappel, Locking Off, etc.)
Specialized Rappelling Techniques
(Hard Starts, Soft Starts, Free-Hanging, Over-Hanging, etc.)
Basic Climbing & Down Climbing Skills
(Bridging, Stemming, Partner Assists, Partner Captures, etc.)
Safety Checking and Basic Self-Rescue
And, within each of these broad subjects are a myriad of skills and tools.

Host: Klaus Gerhart Instructors: AJ Pastula,
The cost of this course is $395. (The course fee is non-refundable, but may be put toward a future class during the same calendar year if 30 days notice are given, cancelling your participation in this course. If 30 days notice are not given, the remaining balance will be due whether you attend the course or not.) Please read more course/company policies here.
This class will begin on Friday evening (6:00pm-8:30pm) at the large parking lot on the left at Elephant Buttress off Canyon Road, with an orientation, introduction, and presentation with an emphasis on the canyon rating system, gear, weather, canyon topography … and getting to know each other. The class will reconvene on Saturday and Sunday at Elephant Buttress and will run from 7:00am-5:00pm both days.
Required gear for this course is a harness and a helmet (We can loan these out if you don’t have them … and we offer a 10% discount for any gear bought before/during/directly after the course), and we’ll also be loaning out carabiners, descenders, tethers, foot loops, prussiks, etc. Feel free to borrow our gear for this course, until you determine what your needs will be.

Advanced Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2) Los Angeles, CA **SOLD OUT**
2017-07-01 - 2017-07-02 | Stoney Point Park, 10900 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Chatsworth, CA, 91311, United States
Advanced Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2) CA **SOLD OUT**
This Advanced Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2) is designed to provide students with the tools needed to jump to the next level of technical skill and become competent and safe canyoneers in ALL classes of canyons and touches on techniques and skills for Canyon Leader (ACE-L3) and Canyon Rescue (ACE-L4). The practical experience that you gain during this course will give you the knowledge and confidence to tackle advanced canyon obstacles and many unexpected situations. This extremely popular curriculum has set the standard by which all other courses and curriculums may be judged. This course was designed primarily to meet the needs of recreational canyoneers, but also forms the training foundation for those planning to seek certification as a Professional Canyon Guide (ACE-L5).
Prerequisite: Uber Adventures’ 3-day Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L1) or Instructor permission. Since this Two-Day Advanced Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2) builds upon the skills and techniques presented in our 3-Day Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L1), you must have that training or extensive personal experience to be admitted to this class.
The topics covered include:

Efficient Rope Management
Advanced Knots & Hitches
Retrievable/Releasable Anchor Systems
Transient Anchors
Artificial Anchors Installation & Inspection
Advanced Rope Deployment Methods
Multi-Pitch Rappels
Simul Rappels
Advanced Rope Work for Traverses/Re-Belays
Guided Rappels & Tensioning Systems
Deviations/Re-Directs
3 Ascending Methods & Converting to Rappel
Transitioning on top of Ascend
Pothole Escape Techniques
Basics of Mechanical Advantage
Group Dynamics and Leadership

Basic personal gear is required for this course: Harness, Helmet, Rappel Device, Safety Tether, Multiple Locking HMS Carabiners, 48″ sling/runner/footloop, prusik loop. And any mechanical ascenders you would like to learn how to use (Ropeman II recommended … or Basic, Micro, etc .. bring them.) We will provide Ropeman II’s for training/practice! (Uber Adventures also offers a 10% discount off all gear purchased before/during/after this course!)
Tuition for this 2-Day Advanced Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2) is $395 per individual. A $100 non-refundable deposit will reserve your space in this class. While the deposit is non-transferrable and non-refundable, it may be put toward a future course in the same calendar year if 30 days notice are given, cancelling your participation. If 30 days notice are not given, the remainder of the course fee will be due regardless of whether or not you attend the course. Read more company/course policies here.
Included with tuition is all instruction and all group Canyoneering equipment, i.e.: ropes, webbing, rope bags, rapides, rigging, etc. … and a Certificate of Completion!! (If you’re traveling to Los Angeles for this course, inquire about some cheap/free camping/crashing opportunities.)
Warning: The activities in this course have been found to be addictive. Only those people prepared for ultimate adventure and nonstop fun need attend!
Instructor: Klaus Gerhart – ACE (Association for Canyoneering Education) Master Instructor/Certified Guide, American Canyon Guides Association (ACGA) Certified Guide, Officer and Instructor, Certified Tactical Rappel Master, Wilderness First Responder, Swiftwater Rescue Technician, Technical Rope Rescue Technician, Map & Compass Navigation Instructor, trained Whitewater Rafting Guide, former instructor for Sierra Club’s Wilderness Travel Course, and a Master Educator for Leave No Trace wilderness ethics.

Canyon Essentials Course (ACE-L3) Los Angeles, CA
2017-07-15 - 2017-07-16 | Stoney Point Park, 10900 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Chatsworth, CA, 91311, United States
Canyon Essentials Course (ACE-L3) CA
Improve your skills and expand your ‘toolbox’!
Uber Adventures’ Canyon Essentials Course (ACE-L3) is designed to prepare some for Leading Canyons, and others for an improved toolbox of skills; specifically providing the next level of skills training through technical instruction and experiential practice. While these tools are a vital component for any active canyoneer, they are imperative for anyone leading rookies, kids, family or friends into a canyon. This course provides strategic training for unexpected technical and group management challenges … when things don’t go quite as planned!
While this course is designed primarily to meet the needs of recreational canyoneers, it also serves as a bridge between the Advanced Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2) and the Canyon Rescue Course (ACE-L4), and forms the training foundation for those planning to seek certification as a Professional Canyon Guide (ACE-L5)!
Skills covered include:

Alternate Guided Rappel Options to keep people dry
Group Gear Choices & Distribution, Pack Management
Strand Isolation and Leapfrogging for speeding things up
Static Courtesy Rappels to make hard-starts easier
Dynamic Courtesy Rappels to make super-hard-starts safer and easier
Lowering Systems for emergencies and speed
Pre-Rigged Rappels and Rigging Kids for Rappel
Static & Dynamic Edge Protection to increase rope life
Direct Top Belays, Handlines and Sequencing
Passing Knots on Ascend and Rappel
Converting Static Block to Lowering System for assist or rescue
Isolating In-Field Rope Damage (Core Shot)
Constructing a Swiss Seat or Swami for rescue or gear failure
Rappelling on a Munter for emergencies
Advanced Friction Options

Prerequisites: Since this course builds upon the skills and techniques presented in our Technical Canyoneering Course AND our Advanced Canyoneering Course, we recommend that you’ve either taken both courses or have significant relevant personal experience before taking this class (please inquire if you’re unsure if this is the correct course for your current skill set).
Required Gear: Harness, Helmet, Rappel Device, Figure 8 for Rigging, Gloves, 5-6 HMS Screwgate Carabiners, 48″ Sling or Foot Loop, Personal Safety Tether/Lanyard, Prusik Loop, Ascender(s), 20′ Cordelette or Canyon Cordelette (and appropriate shoes and pack).
Logistics: This course will be long days on Saturday and Sunday … most of the course will be held at Stoney Point Park in Chatsworth, with part of the class, possibly held at Uber Adventures at 21901 Devonshire St, Chatsworth, CA 91311. (If you are traveling to Los Angeles for this course, inquire about cheap/free camping/crashing opportunities.)
Tuition: This Canyon Essentials Course (ACE-L3) is $395 per individual. Tuition is non-refundable and non-transferrable but may be put toward a future course in the same calendar year if 30 days notice are given cancelling your participation in this course. Feel free to post any questions on this event or send me a greeting/e-mail through meetup. Included with tuition is: A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION!!
Instructor: Klaus Gerhart
Please read the course policies here: Policies

Advanced Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2) Boulder, CO
2017-07-22 - 2017-07-23 | Elephant Buttresses Parking Lot, ½ mi. west of Eben G Fine park on HW119 (Boulder Blvd.), Boulder, CO, United States
Advanced Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2) Boulder, CO
This Advanced Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2) is designed to provide students with the tools needed to jump to the next level of technical skill and become competent and safe canyoneers in ALL classes of canyons and touches on techniques and skills for Canyon Essentials (ACE-L3) and Canyon Rescue (ACE-L4). The practical experience that you gain during this course will give you the knowledge and confidence to tackle advanced canyon obstacles and many unexpected situations. This extremely popular curriculum has set the standard by which all other courses and curriculums may be judged. This course was designed primarily to meet the needs of recreational canyoneers, but also forms the training foundation for those planning to seek certification as a Professional Canyon Guide (ACE-L5).
Prerequisite: Uber Adventures’ 3-day Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L1) or Instructor permission. Since this Two-Day Advanced Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2) builds upon the skills and techniques presented in our 3-Day Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L1), you must have that training or extensive personal experience to be admitted to this class.
The topics covered include:

Efficient Rope Management
Advanced Knots & Hitches
Retrievable/Releasable Anchor Systems
Transient Anchors
Artificial Anchors Installation & Inspection
Advanced Rope Deployment Methods
Multi-Pitch Rappels
Simul Rappels
Advanced Rope Work for Traverses/Re-Belays
Guided Rappels & Tensioning Systems
Deviations/Re-Directs
3 Ascending Methods & Converting to Rappel
Transitioning on top of Ascend
Pothole Escape Techniques
Basics of Mechanical Advantage
Group Dynamics and Leadership

Basic personal gear is required for this course: Harness, Helmet, Rappel Device, Safety Tether, Multiple Locking HMS Carabiners, 48″ sling/runner/footloop, prusik loop, and any mechanical ascenders you would like to learn how to use (Wild Country Ropeman II, Kong Duck, Petzl Basic, Petzl Microtraxion, CT Roll’n’Lock, etc .. bring them.) We will provide the use of Ropeman II’s for training/practice! (Uber Adventures also offers a 10% discount off all gear purchased before/during/after this course!)
Tuition for this 2-Day Advanced Technical Canyoneering Course (ACE-L2) is $395 per individual. A $100 non-refundable deposit will reserve your space in this class. While the deposit is non-transferrable and non-refundable, it may be put toward a future course in the same calendar year if 30 days notice are given, cancelling your participation. If 30 days notice are not given, the remainder of the course fee will be due regardless of whether or not you attend the course. Read more company/course policies here.
Included with tuition is all instruction and use of all group Canyoneering equipment, i.e.: ropes, webbing, rope bags, rapides, rigging, etc. … and a Certificate of Completion!!
Warning: The activities in this course have been found to be addictive. Only those people prepared for ultimate adventure and nonstop fun need attend!
Instructor: AJ Pastula – ACE L1-L4 Instructor (Association for Canyoneering Education)

ACE Certified Guide Assessment (ACE-L5) Los Angeles, CA
2017-07-28 - 2017-07-30 | Uber Adventures, 21901 Devonshire St, Chatsworth, CA, 91311, United States
ACE (Association for Canyoneering Education) Guide Assessment (ACE-L5) Los Angeles – Hosted by Uber Adventures
The ACGA (American Canyon Guide Association) was formed following the dissolution of the ACA in 2011. The ACGA was to become America’s first professional association for the industry of canyoneering. Four years later, its volunteer Board of Directors and limited membership have been unable to host the guide assessments for which it was created and it has dissolved. It is the goal of ACE to independently fill this void in certifying guides from this date forward.
ACE will provide:

Certification for professional canyon guides
Standardized curricula for canyoneering instructors
Safety forums and tools for the canyoneering community

Our Mission: To set an American Standard to which professional canyon guides and instructors can be held; to present a clear path to certification for professional canyon guides; to host professional canyon guide assessments; to develop standardized technical canyoneering curricula; and to develop relationships between land managers, guide services, and training providers.
Please find below the details on the process to become a certified guide, and the benefits that accompany certification. Even if guiding isn’t in your future, the Assessment is great proof of your competence in the canyon environment. While this program is new, it is a strong one, and one which has drawn on the successes and learned from the failures of a variety of programs, both in the sport of canyoneering, and many others.
The fee for the ACE Guide Assessment is $295 + $100 ($25 Registration w/ACE and $75 first year membership in ACE)

What is the path to certification for professional canyon guide?

Be proficient in all of the skills on the ACE Master Skills List.
Sign-up for and pass a 3-day ACE Guide Assessment.
Provide a Canyoneering Resume showing your:

(1) Training (dates, courses, organizations, instructors)
(2) Experience (primary leader of 30+ unique canyon descents with 6+ people each)
(3) References (4 canyoneering professionals or recreational)

Where do I learn the skills on the ACE Master Skills List?
The best way to ensure you learn ALL the technical skills on the ACE Master Skills List is to take the series of four ACE curriculum courses (L1, L2, L3, L4) offered by a variety of providers. Those 4 courses teach all the technical skills on the ACE Master Skills List. You could also learn on your own by attending any combination of courses, workshops, practices, etc, and then fill-in-the-blanks (the skills you haven’t learned yet) by reading books, searching the internet, or learning from friends. This isn’t always easy to do and the skills you learn may not be ideal. During an ACE Guide Assessment, you will be evaluated on safety, efficiency, and canyoneering-specific methods of achieving a goal. Keep that in mind should you choose to learn canyoneering from anyone other than an ACE Certified Guide or ACE Instructor.

Does ACE recognize other professional canyon guide certifications?
Yes. Submit your request to have your existing certification recognized by ACE, along with the name of the certifying entity, the curriculum and/or assessment process you went through, the date of your original certification and the date of your most recent re-certification. We will assess the program and make a determination.
If your certification is recognized, you will need to register with ACE as a professional member, pay your membership dues to ACE, and recertify every 3 years with ACE.

Are other training or certifications required to become an ACE Certified Guide?
No. We evaluate your technical proficiency and decision-making as they relate to the technical aspect of canyoneering, and a general knowledge of navigation, weather, hydrology and group health. However, Wilderness First Aid/CPR, Wilderness First Responder, Swiftwater Rescue, Leave No Trace, Meteorology, Navigation and other relevant formal training may be required by your employer, by land managers, and by insurance providers.

How is the ACE Guide Assessment administered?

In 3 parts: Classroom & Written, On-Rope Skills, and Scenarios.
Candidates will provide their own ropes and equipment for the ACE Guide Assessment unless otherwise indicated by the hosting entity.
All skills will be evaluated on safety, best application, and efficiency. ACE does not assess interpersonal skills, teaching style or likability. Therefore, these traits have no weight during an ACE Guide Assessment. Employers will make these determinations during their interview process.
Candidates will be graded Pass or Fail
In the event of a Fail during the ACE Guide Assessment, the candidate will be required to retake the entire Assessment at a future date.

What are the benefits of Professional Membership?

All the benefits associated with a Sport membership
Pro-deals & discounts (regularly pursuing new relationships)

Imlay Canyon Gear
FiveTen
Liberty Mountain
Outdoor Prolink

Evacuation Insurance group pricing (under development)
Discounts on Continuing Education (regularly pursuing new relationships)

15% off Wilderness First Responder Courses with Sierra Rescue. “We have over 28 years of experience as front country and wilderness EMTs, wild-land and structure fire fighters, river guides, climbing and mountaineering guides, instructors in outdoor leadership, members of search and rescue teams. With our diverse background and our 15 years of teaching experience we strive to offer you the best and most fun course for your time and money.” https://sierrarescue.com
15% off any course or private instruction with Vertical Adventures rock climbing school. “Since 1983, Vertical Adventures rock climbing school has been Southern California’s rock climbing school leader, setting the standard of professionalism with our low student to instructor ratios, excellent safety record, and exceptional rock climbing guides.” https://www.vertical-adventures.com
20% off River Rescue Certification Course with Sierra Rescue and a special 1-hour evening presentation during the course to ACE students on Hydrology. “Sierra Rescue, also known as Rescue 3 West, is the regional training center for Rescue 3 Instructor Trainers and Instructors. Rescue 3 International is the largest certifying body of swiftwater rescue classes in the world.” https://sierrarescue.com/
20% off technical training with Sierra Mountaineering International including Mountaineering, Backcountry Skiing, Rock Climbing, Ice Climbing, Snow Travel/Crevasse Rescue & Avalanche Rescue. “Sierra Mountaineering International was founded by Kurt Wedberg in the fall of 1995. We are specialists in all types of mountaineering guiding and instruction year round in the inspiring and beautiful Sierra Nevada. We invite you to come learn why hundreds of our clients repeatedly return to us for more new and exciting training in the Sierra!” http://sierramountaineering.com

Recognition, relevance, relationships
Business listings, Employer/Employment listings & assistance
Professional Membership is $75/year. There is also a $25 one-time registration fee which covers the cost of creating a professional profile on ACECanyoneering.com, mailing out the ACE-L5 Certified Guide certificate, and the helmet stickers.

How long does my ACE-L5 Certified Guide certification last?
The ACE-L5 Certified Guide certification is valid for three years, at which point ACE requires recertification.
ACE Master Skills List
