Information
The descent of Balme canyon requires an effort that is comparable to a 3-hour hike on mountain paths.
No need for experience, everything will be explained to you during the descent.
We leave for 2 hours 30 of activity, approximately. Add 1 hour of equipment/unequipment, a small approach walk and we have a good half-day.
Two time slots: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The schedule depends on many parameters, number of participants and physical condition of the less athletic, crowds in the river, water conditions…
The duration of the outing is given as an indication. We advise you to keep an hour of margin for the rest of your program.
No jump is compulsory in the canyon of Balme!
However, abseils are mandatory. You can ask your guide to lower you on the rope, but you must be prepared to descend a waterfall of about 12m.
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- Bathing suit (shorts ok)
- Towel, for drying and undressing.
- Sport shoes* and spare dry ones.
Ideal : lace shoes with spikes.
OK : worn out shoes, big hiking shoes, velcro sandals with a solid sole.
Not possible : soft neoprene soled water shoes, sandals and flip-flops with toe separation.
* You can rent shoes from OXO : 5€/p. Book them the day before at the latest !
Neoprene wetsuits and socks are looked after and continuously renewed so they don’t have holes. They are washed with a bactericide and fungicide treatment after each use.
- 5mm hooded neoprene wetsuits.
- 3mm neoprene socks.
- Canyoning harnesses with security lanyards & abseiling device.
- Helmets
- Optional : Rented shoes at your size. 5€/p. (book the day before at the latest)
Right here ! A very easy place to find where you will be meeting your guide with the OXO van. You will then drive 1 more km to the canyon.
You need to be driving to the meeting place.
This meeting place will be reminded to you in details by email.
Public transports don’t allow an easy access to Balme canyon.
But Barberine canyon (see above) is easy to reach using the free Mont Blanc Express train. Let us know you are not driving and we’ll explain you how to proceed to come canyoning with us.
There is no OXO base on the side of the river and we need to change on the canyon’s car park. It is a quite place, but we change outside or in the cars !
Make sure you wear your bathing suit under your clothes
Make sure you go to the toilets before leaving, there are none on the spot (and peeing in the wetsuit is not right at all !)
All what is not going to the water in staying in the cars… best is to leave everything at your accommodation.
Wearing prescription glasses when canyoning is possible. A well adjusted attach cord normally allows to not lose them. Otherwise, fitting them in the jacket against your chest for jumps is the safest solution.
No problem either for contact lenses as long as you close your eyes underwater.
We are continuously observing the past and forecasted rainfalls, considering that too much rain can lead the Balme river to an excessive water flow.
Why not go to Barberine canyon in this case ? It is located right below a dam letting the water flow nearly unchanged in case of rain.
Balme has a very steep-sided first half but the gorge opens up in a forest in the last section. This is where the amazing natural slides are located. It is easy to walk down along the river and take photos of the happy canyoneers.
It is an earth path with potentially steep and slippy parts. Make sure you have an appropriate equipment and fitness.
When booking your outing, you can ask to rent a gopro camera.
Rental + SD card = 20 €
You can also bring your own waterproof camera, or smarphone in a waterproof pouch.
Non waterproof device should stay in the car.
camera sticks are dangerous when canyoning.
Please make sure your device is waterproof before going canyoning.
