Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Canyoneering II (Face-to-Face)

ORPT 1055-01

Course: ORPT 1055-01
Credits: 2
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Kinesiology & Outdoor Rec
CRN: 30975

Course Description

Canyoneering II builds upon the knowledge and skills developed in Canyoneering I. Topics include rope ascending, anchor building, sequencing, and passing knots. This course includes an outdoor trip to a local area that will likely occur on a weekend. Essential Eligibility Criteria can be found on the ORPT program website. 

Required Texts

Text(s):
None required. Supplemental media will be provided through Canvas. Consider spending your book money on a piece of equipment from the list below.
Recommended text: Canyoneering : A Guide to Techniques for Wet and Dry Canyons, by David Black

Equipment:
I strongly recommend you have the following items for this class, though the technical equipment will be provided as needed.
  • A Harness
  • A rappel device and a large locking carabiner
  • A personal tether (e.g. P.A.S., Petzl Connect)
  • 20’-40' of 1” tubular webbing
  • 20’ of 6mm rated accessory cord
  • 12’ of 5mm rated accessory cord
  • 2 or 3 3/8-inch or 5/16-inch quick links (stamped with CE, UIAA, PPE, WL or SWL)
  • 2-3 sewn nylon slings (120” length)
  • A climbing helmet
  • A decent sized backpack (40-60 liters; 2500-3500 cubic inches)
  • Good shoes (trail runners, day hikers, boots, etc…)
  • 4 spare locking carabiners
  • Leather gloves
  • A couple Petzl Tiblocs
  • A small sturdy knife
  • A whistle (not one that will be useless when wet)
  • A 60' meter (~200 foot) static rope

Meeting Location

This class will generally meet in the PE Building at either the rappel station or climbing wall, but will occasionally go off campus, including Cedar Canyon or other meeting location (with advanced notice). On class days, please dress for active participation.

Non class outdoor days are currently scheduled for Friday, September 25 (afternoon), and Saturday, November 7 (all day). Please plan to attend at least one of these outdoor days. Transportation will be provided. 

Learning Outcomes

Students will…
  • Be introduced to additional equipment used for canyoneering
  • Demonstrate an ability to rappel on a single and double ropes of a variety of diameters while applying appropriate friction
  • Demonstrate an ability to efficiently set up and evaluate natural anchors suitable for rappelling
  • Demonstrate an ability to efficiently set up, evaluate, and utilize a rappel on artificial anchors (bolts and hangers)
  • Become familiar with internet resources and guidebooks useful in determining canyoneering routes commensurate with their knowledge and skill level
  • Demonstrate an ability to engage a suitable backup (i.e., fireman's belay, auto-block) while rappelling
  • Discuss the canyoneering rating system (for North America)
  • Understand several contingency anchor techniques and demonstrate the ability to apply them
  • Demonstrate the ability to pass knots while on rappel
  • Demonstrate the ability to ascend fixed ropes 
  • Demonstrate the ability to assist/lift a stuck canyoneer
  • Demonstrate a usable knowledge of several knots, hitches, and bends

Course Requirements

Assignments/Assessments Will Include:

  • In person skills demonstrations on all the objectives of the class
  • Team teaching a skill in order to demonstrate learning
  • Participation in class activities and a willingness to assist others (Expedition Behavior)
  • Online discussions of media related to advanced canyoneering techniques/case studies
  • Participation in outdoor class trips (2) that will occur outside of class times 
  • Knowledge check assignments/quizzes

Grading Scale: A = >94%, A- = 90-93%, B+ = 87-89%, B = 84-86%, B- = 80-83%, C+ = 77-79%, C = 74-76%, C- = 70-73%, D = 60-69% F = <60%

Course Outline

This class meets once a week for 14 weeks. The following is the tentative schedule of what we'll cover in class, with associated media assigned on Canvas. Note that if you miss class in the first two weeks, you'll need to schedule a review session with me outside of class time. 

  1. Review Core Skills
  2. Review Continued: Rappelling w/ Backups & Contingency
  3. Belayed Rappels & VT Prusik
  4. EMO & Figure-8 Contingency Systems
  5. Rappelling Past a Knot (Stairwell)
  6. Rappelling Past a Knot (live on tower)
  7. Ascending
  8. Ascending Continued (Prusiks Only)
  9. Hauling Systems; Mechanical Advantage
  10. Hauling Continued: Lifts & Assists
  11. Conversions: Blocked to Releasable
  12. Modifying Friction, Alternate Devices & Lock-offs
  13. Escape, Simul/Tandem + Guided Rappels
  14. Putting it all together

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

This class is fast and furious, we cover as much material as students can absorb within a very limited amount of time. Please be on time and ready to go when class starts each week, be prepared to stay the entire duration of class. If you’re already familiar with the information and skills please don’t pull out your phone and text or surf the internet—help those students in the class that don’t have the skills or knowledge you do.
Late Work:
Each assignment will be given a due date and time. If you turn an assignment in after that it will be graded as though turned in on time, then whatever grade earned will be reduced by 50%. After 72 hours of being late, the assignment will be given a zero (0).

Attendance Policy

Be here when you're feeling well and don't come when you aren't. We can meet when you feel better, and I'll help you get up to speed. Attending class and the trips is the best way you can develop your canyoneering skill and knowledge. There are no better substitutes for mentored time on task. If your lack of attendance becomes an issue (i.e. you're missing class regularly), I'll speak with you individually to find a remedy.  

Course Fee

$15

Acceptable and Unacceptable Use of AI

Acceptable and Unacceptable Use of AI: 
Use of generative AI as a means to complete assignments is Academic Misconduct under SUU Policy. 6.33. Any suspected use of AI to deceive or replace your own work will result in a zero on the assignment until we have a meeting to discuss the assignment and your learning. Egregious use of AI will result in a zero on the assignment as well as referral to academic integrity specialists on campus for academic misconduct violations, with all the possible consequences.
IN GENERAL: If the assignment does not explicitly list specific expectations for AI Use, these general restrictions apply.
Allowed: Brainstorming ideas, checking grammar, initial research, organizing concepts, asking for a skill to be explained a different way. This use still must be disclosed in the assignment.
Never Allowed: Generating text for discussions, copying and pasting directly from AI outputs, solving problems through prompts without critical analysis, fabricating citations, utilizing AI to replace your own work.

If you are anti-AI for ethical/environmental reasons, then you are certainly welcome to not utilize it at all, even when an assignment explicitly allows it. 

Statement of risk assumption:

Statement of risk assumption:
Assumption of risk: By participating in this class, you are accepting certain inherent risks involved in outdoor recreation and specifically canyoneering. A signed waiver and assumption of risk form will be a requirement of this class as well as a health history form. You may be asked to get physician’s approval before participating in some class activities. Trips for this class may involve riding in a van to the destination and traveling over rough terrain in an environment that has many inherent risks. These risks include but are not limited to falling, weather events, floods, lightning strikes, cold/heat related injuries/illness, plant/animal dangers, rockfall, negligence of instructor or peers, and equipment failures. Further, excursions involve the challenges of traveling outdoors, away from definitive medical/psychological assistance in the event of an incident. Your challenge is your choice and your safety is your responsibility.

Essential Eligibility Criteria

In addition to the general EEC found on the ORPT website, specific EEC for this course includes:

Hiking
Each participant must be able to:
  • Travel over uneven terrain including slickrock, sand, dirt trails, talus, and rocky surfaces for extended periods of time.
  • Carry a day pack weighing approximately 10–25 lbs, including water, food, and personal gear.
  • Manage sustained physical exertion for multiple hours in variable weather and sun exposure.
  • Maintain balance and situational awareness near drop-offs, ledges, and uneven footing.
  • Independently manage personal needs (hydration, nutrition, sun protection, toileting) while in the field.
Indoor Climbing and Rappelling
Each participant must be able to:
  • Wear required safety equipment, including harnesses and helmets, in accordance with manufacturer standards.
  • Follow belay, rappel, and safety commands accurately and in a timely manner.
  • Maintain body position and control while climbing or lowering.
  • Grip ropes and climbing holds securely.
  • Tolerate working at height in a controlled indoor environment.
Outdoor Climbing and Canyoneering
Each participant must be able to:
  • Approach climbing or canyon sites over rugged, uneven terrain.
  • Tolerate exposure to heights, confined spaces, water, and variable temperatures.
  • Wear and manage technical equipment such as helmets, harnesses, wetsuits, and packs.
  • Communicate effectively in noisy or visually obstructed environments.
  • Manage balance and movement on slickrock, loose rock, and wet surfaces.

Southern Utah University and the ORPT program seek to foster a sense of belonging and inclusion for all students, including individuals with diverse abilities. The ORPT program does not exclude participants based on ability. These EEC are intended to clearly communicate course expectations related to safety, learning objectives, and group functioning.

Students who anticipate barriers to participation are encouraged to contact the course instructor, the ORPT Program Director (Jason Burton - jasonburton@suu.edu), and/or the SUU Disability Resource Center as early as possible to discuss potential reasonable accommodations. 

Reasonable accommodations will be considered in accordance with University policy, provided that such accommodations do not fundamentally alter the essential nature, learning outcomes, or safety requirements of the course.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Religious / Conscience Belief Accommodation

RELIGIOUS / CONSCIENCE BELIEF ACCOMMODATION: In accordance with SUU Policy 6.7 Student Belief Accommodation, students may request, in writing, that their faculty accommodate their sincerely held religious or conscience beliefs. Students should provide their faculty with sufficient advanced notice, if possible within the first five (5) business days of the semester or session, or thereafter with good cause for requesting an accommodation after the first five (5) business days.

Faculty must provide a schedule accommodation or excuse an absence, in any course, for students to observe or participate in religious holidays or an organized activity conducted under the auspices of the student’s religious tradition or religious organization.

In courses that are required for graduation or for an academic major, a faculty member may accommodate a religious or conscience belief by modifying an assignment or examination if its content conflicts with the student’s belief. Faculty may decline the accommodation if it would fundamentally alter the course requirements. If declined, the student may request review by a neutral arbiter using the Belief Accommodation Request Form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv&layout_id=5

Questions go to Assistant Provost Jake Johnson at johnsonj@suu.edu.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.