Southeast Canyoneering: does it exist??!?

Looking to see if there are any vanguards or funky folk out there who have scoped any canyoneering routes in the Southeast? Missing my “adventure hiking” days while living out west in the high desert of Utah. I can’t seem to turn up much, anybody have the beta/route ideas tshare?

From what the internet shows, there is a guide company running trips in NC, a few outdoor journalism pieces, but (please link me if I’m wrong!) no solid forum or route blogs.

Cheers y’all! 

Check Ropewiki. It list a few in VA, NC, SC, and GA.

In short no. BUT there is a culture of creek boating based on small rivers running at particular flood levels that is every bit as committing as any canyoneering you see out west. Caving can also serve as a means of feeding the beast while keeping you cool during the sticky season.

Yes,

just in underground caves .

There are thousands of underground caves especially in Alabama, northwest Georgia and parts of Tennessee and Kentucky.

verry similar, just darker ;)

Falling into the category of close but not quite (although a unique and enjoyable area), check out the channels nature preserve outside of Abington Va ( dcr.virginia.gov/natural-he…).

Basically the sandstone on the top of Middle knob eroded and created a slot canyon like system on clinch mountain. 

Bonas Defeat is a fun adventure, Linville Gorge has some as well, Jocassee and the rivers that dump into it are excellent as well.  Plenty of adventures to be had, just get out and find them.

Cool! Thanks for the recs everyone. I’ll have to check out what’s been shared and perhaps start scouring Cal Topo for some fun looking gorges/runoffs.

As a newby to the caving scene, do y’all have any favorite beta sources or are y’all the get out and go type??

Haley Austin wrote:

Cool! Thanks for the recs everyone. I’ll have to check out what’s been shared and perhaps start scouring Cal Topo for some fun looking gorges/runoffs.

As a newby to the caving scene, do y’all have any favorite beta sources or are y’all the get out and go type??

"Get out and go"  is not the best approach for caving:

1) Most caves east of the Mississippi are on private land.  

2) Those on public land are almost all officially closed due to (mostly) white nose syndrome in bats.  Many are also closed physically by gates.

3) There are some caves on private "cave preserves" (see NSS below) that are accessible by permit.

4) There are a lot more ways to get in trouble in a cave than you can imagine.  Way more than climbing.  Best to go with experienced folks.

5) Caves are easily destroyed, even by innocent intentions.  As a result, cave info is pretty guarded.

If you really want to get started in caving, I suggest you try the National Speleological Society (NSS).  They have local chapters everywhere.  There is one in Richmond.