Article posted: 11/11/2012 6:00 AM

Canyoneering combines rappelling, rock climbing and fun

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The sport of canyoneering includes hiking, climbing, sliding and wetsuit-wading.

Associated Press

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Hikers in wet suits and helmets wade in Salome Creek in Salome Canyon, in Arizona's Tonto National Forest.

Associated Press

Arizona and Utah are two hot spots for canyoneering.

Associated Press

Salome Creek in Salome Canyon is a popular destination for canyoneering.

Associated Press

Charmaine Noronha rappels over Salome Creek in Salome Canyon, in Arizona's Tonto National Forest. The sport of canyoneering includes hiking, climbing, sliding and wetsuit-wading, but can be tackled by novices accompanied by an experienced guide.

Associated Press

About this Article

The idea of canyoneering is to navigate a canyon using water flow as your trail, down into waterfalls, creeks and whirlpools. While canyoneering hot spots include Mexico's Copper Canyon, Colorado, the Pyrenees in Spain, the Blue Mountains in eastern Australia, New Zealand and Costa Rica, Utah reigns supreme as a destination for the sport, with Arizona as a close rival.