Canyon Rating System

Translated from the original French version.
Use www.deepl.com or Google Translate for other languages.

The quotation is valid for an average or ordinary flow, in usual period of practice, thus at relatively low level, without being necessarily at low water level. It is calibrated for a group of 5 people, in situation of discovery of the canyon and whose level of practice is in adequacy with the technical level of the canyon. It is intended for habitual and reasoned practice, with a view to safety and efficiency of movement (a personal search for an increase in difficulty will not add anything to the initial rating).

The canyons are rated as follows:

The letter v followed by 1 Arabic number from 1 to 7 (open scale) for the difficulty in the vertical character.
The letter a followed by 1 Arabic number from 1 to 7 (open scale) for the difficulty in the watery character.
1 Roman numeral for commitment and scope: from I to VI (open scale).

For example, canyons rated v2 a3 III, or v5 a6 V, or v4 a5 III.
For simplification, we can write: 2.3.III, 5.6.V or 4.5.III.

Only one of the following criteria, per column, determines membership in a difficulty category.
On a route, avoiding an obstacle or using a specific technique (e.g. guided abseiling) may result in a lower rating. Jumps are generally considered optional.

DIFFICULTY	V – VERTICAL CHARACTER	A – AQUATIC CHARACTER
1 VERY EASY	No vertical obstacle required No recall and no handrail Rope and harness not necessary for normal safe progression No climbing/unclimbing passages	No water or walking in calm water Swimming optional No jumping No slide
2 EASY	Easy abseiling less than or equal to 10 m Handrail Easy climbing/unclimbing passage with little exposure	Swimming of 10 m maximum in calm water Easy jump less than 3 m Short or low slope slide
3 LITTLE DIFFICULT	Low-flow verticals Reception in a basin with swimming in calm water Simple abseiling, less than 30 m A series of rappels separated by landings allowing the grouping of people Easy handrail Technical walk (slippery, obstacle) Climbing/unclimbing passages (up to 3c) – not very exposed which may require the use of a rope	Swimming not exceeding 30 m in calm water Progression in weak current Easy jump from 3 to 5 m Long or medium slope slide
4 SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT	Low to medium flow verticals that can begin to cause problems with imbalance or blockage Recall of difficult access and/or greater than 30 m Series of abseils on the wall with comfortable belays Rope friction Difficult handrail Non-visible reminder of the start Reception in a basin with water movement Climbing/descaling passages up to 4c or A0, exposed and/or requiring belay and progression techniques	Prolonged immersion resulting in a significant heat loss Progression in medium current Wide siphon of less than 1m in length and/or depth Easy jump from 5 to 8 m Difficult jump less than 5 m Large slide or steep slide
5 DIFFICULT	Medium to high flow rate verticals Difficult recall requiring trajectory and/or balance management A series of abseils on the wall with aerial relays Crossing a suspended overhanging basin during the descent Slippery surface or presence of an obstacle Difficult to remove the rope Exposed climbing/descaling passages, up to 5c or A1	Prolonged immersion in cold water resulting in significant heat loss Progression in a fairly strong current, which can disrupt swimming trajectories, bins, stops or resumptions of the current Obligatory difficulties linked to specific white water phenomena (e.g. whirlpools, drifting) that can lead to a punctual blocking of the canyoneer Wide siphon and up to 2 m in length and/or depth Easy jump from 8 to 10 m Difficult jump from 5 to 8 m
6 VERY DIFFICULT	High to very high flow rate verticals Very difficult recall, requiring effective management of the trajectory and/or balance Difficult relay installation: delicate installation of natural mooring (e.g. jammed block) Difficult access to the start of the abseil (e.g. very delicate handrail installation) Exposed climbing/descaling passage, up to 6a or A2 Very slippery or unstable surface Highly emulsified inlet bowl	Progression in strong current making swimming trajectories, bins, stops or resumptions difficult to execute Marked water movements (e.g. drifting, backwash, waves, whirlpools) that can cause the canyoneer to get stuck for a long time Wide siphon up to 3 m deep and/or long Technical siphon up to a maximum of 1 m with possible current or pathway
7 EXTREMELY DIFFICULT	Verticals of very strong to extremely strong flow Extremely difficult crossing requiring anticipation and specific management of the rope, trajectory, balance, support and rhythm Exposed climbing/down-climbing passages, above 6a or A2 Limited visibility and frequent obstacles Passage through a basin with powerful water movements Breathing control: passage in apnea	Progression in a very strong current making swimming trajectories, bins, stops or resumptions extremely difficult to execute Violent water movements (e.g. drifting, backwash, waves, whirlpools) that can lead to a prolonged blockage of the canyoneer Siphon more than 3m long and/or deep Technical and engaged siphon of more than 1m with current or path or without visibility

COMMITMENT
I	Possibility to get out of the flood easily and quickly Easy escape routes are present on all parts of the course Canyoning time (approach, descent, return) less than 2 hours
II	Possibility to get out of the flood in 15 minutes of progress max Escape(s) in ½ hour of progress max Time of the canyon (approach, descent, return) between 2 and 4 hours
III	Possibility to get out of the flood in ½ hour of progress max Escape(s) in 1 hour of progress max Time of the canyon (approach, descent, return) between 4 and 8 hours
IV	Possibility to get out of the flood in 1 hour of progress maximum Escape(s) in 2 hours maximum of progress Time of the canyon (approach, descent, return) between 8 hours and 1 day
V	Possibility to get out of the flood in 2 hours maximum Escape(s) in 4 hours maximum of progress Time of the canyon (approach, descent, return) between 1 and 2 days
VI	Possibility to get out of the flood in more than 2 hours of progression Escape(s) the time needed to escape is more than 4 hours of progress Canyoning time (approach, descent, return) greater than 2 days