NOEC Post Conference Activity - BUTTERBOX CANYON

Butterbox is a spectacular canyon with superb rock architecture. It is a challenging, long adventurous day that is physically demanding. All participants must have a high level of fitness and previous abseiling and climbing experience.

This great action-packed adventure offers lots of variety with numerous abseils and water jumps (water level dependant)! One of the highlights is the two 25-metre challenging abseils straight down a deep dark slot. The second abseil is off a giant chockstone wedged between the canyon walls. After finishing the canyon, it is not over yet, as there is a 15-metre, grade-12 roped climb to conquer on the way out. This short climb is approximately 100-metres above the tree canopy below so being comfortable with the exposure is a must. It is a great finale to an awesome day! The steep exit walk (including the climb) can take up to 2-3 hours.

Equipment Provided

We will provide you with a backpack, wetsuit, waterproof bag, helmet, harness, carabiners and abseil descender. We also cover your National Parks and Wildlife Service park entry fee.  While we encourage all participants to bring their own weather-appropriate clothing (see below), we have spare warm clothing if needed.

Lunch Provided

This adventure includes a delicious lunch supplied by a popular local deli. Select one of their gourmet sandwich options when you book your trip.  Altitude Deli can cater to most dietary requirements with notice, so please let us know of your needs as soon as possible.

Things to bring 

Comfortable clothes suited to the weather. As a general rule we recommend:

• Long sleeves and pants for sun and scratch protection
• Wool, synthetic and fleece fabrics (no cotton or denim)
• Closed shoes
• Sun hat, sunscreen and warm beanie
• Rain jacket
• Sneakers / sandshoes and woollen socks to wear in the canyon. These will get wet!
• Hair tie for those with long hair
• Swimming costume to wear under your wetsuit (it's great if you can be wearing this when you arrive for your trip)
• Personal medication (Ventolin/EpiPen etc.)
• Water bottle, at least 1.5 litres.

Recommended:

• Thermal underwear to wear under your wetsuit in cold conditions
• Camera or Smartphone.  The wet canyon environment is incredibly photogenic and we recommend bringing a waterproof camera or use a waterproof smartphone case.
• Second set of clothes, shoes and socks to leave in the office or van for the end of the day
• Plastic bag for wet items