The Nihahi Creek Canyon Event 2025 (4th annual) will be an ADVENTURE ! Bought to you by hunthikers & Brendan714.
To start with, one needs to hike or bike (recommended mountain bike for the rough trail) the main trail to the junction with Nihahi Creek (about 5km) Secure your bike in the trees, then hike up the zig zagging trail to "Nature's Playground Cache" (GC1GQ04) (another 1km). From there (or optionally and recommended, from the top of the Upper Canyon) carefully scramble along the creek bed (rough terrain) until you enter the Lower Canyon.
The Lower Canyon enters more serious / technical terrain and you will need to rappel to reach the event location in a "hall" in the middle of the Lower Canyon and then after the event, you will need to rappel to leave the event location. The first rappel is about 10m long down a water worn groove and directly reaches the event location. The second rappel is about 25m long, followed by a short scramble (with a short log to downclimb) past some fossils to a 3rd (optional) 10m rappel, then a scramble to return to the bikes / hiking trail and then ride back to the parking.
Aug 2024 group at GZ (photo Brendan714)
Aug 2023 group at GZ (photo Brendan714)
July 5 2022 Nihahi Canyon attendees at the ADVENTURE EVENT location
Brendan714 on the 2nd rappel leaving the event location in 2022
Summary: A minimum of 2 rappels are required (one to get to the event and the second to escape). The 3rd rappel can be avoided on a very rough trail but we recommend taking the 3rd rappel to complete the full ADVENTURE. All of the rappels are secured off two bolt anchors (updated since 2021 YouTube). The rappel off of the chockstone at 5:30 minute mark in the video is NOT required – there are now bolts on the solid wall to the left).
Required equipment list:
Climbing harness, rappel device (e.g. ATC or equivalent), personal anchor (double length sling or equivalent), min. 2 x locking carabiners and a helmet. Note that you may be able to rent the required gear from some gear shops in the city – message one of the event organisers for rental recommendations, if needed.
Assuming safe, manageable numbers, the event organisers (2) will provide and place the ropes for each of the rappels. In order to be safe, a buddy system will be in place for the rappels, with someone at the top checking equipment set up before each rappel and with someone at the base for "fireman's brake" if required. For more experienced, independent adventurers, feel free to bring your own ropes.
There is a 2021 YouTube video that shows you what you are in for. Note that all rappels are now off bolted anchors (as of June 2022). The stunning event location (which is only accessible via rappel) can be seen at the 6:00 mark of the video. The 2nd rappel to escape from the event location is the ONLY way out and is the crux of the event. The log drop-off at 8:17 can also be rappelled, if required.
You are reminded that as of June 1, 2021, the Alberta Government requires a park pass ($15 / day, $90 / year) for using the Kananaskis area.
Approximate Event Timeline:
Note: The times below are very conservative and give plenty of time for breaks, photos, cache hunting, etc.
3:30-4:00 PM: Leave Calgary en route to Kananaskis Little Elbow parking.
5:00 PM: Arrive at the Little Elbow parking lot (see waypoint)
5:00-6:00 PM: Leave the parking lot and hike or bike along the Little Elbow trail (past the campground) to the base of the Nihahi Creek trail (5 km, 100 m gain). Note that this leg may only take 30 minutes if you are on a bike. It will be about a 1 hour hike on foot. Mountain bikes are recommended since the trail is rough at times.
6:00 PM: Arrive at the Nihahi Creek Trail junction (sign and waypoint), Secure bikes in the trees.
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Hike up the Nihahi Creek Trail to the Nature’s Playground Cache (700 m, 100 m gain)
6:30 PM: Meet up near "Nature’s Playground" cache = GC1GQ04. (see waypoint)
6:30-7:00 PM: The group will split in two: those who would like to participate in the OPTIONAL scramble through the upper canyon can split off from the group and get warmed up! Everybody else can take their time carefully hiking and scrambling down the creekbed to the top of the lower canyon
(500 m, 50 m loss). All event participants will meet up at the top of the lower canyon to gear up, complete a safety check, and get ready for the first rappel!
7:00-7:15 PM: First rappel to the event site: 10m
7:15-7:45 PM: Event time in an amazing location!
7:45-8:00 PM: MANDATORY second rappel from the event site: 25m
8:00-8:30 PM: Log drop scramble or rappel (3m), final OPTIONAL rappel (10m)
8:30-9:30 PM: Collect the bikes and bike or hike back to the parking lot (20-30 min downhill ride on bikes)
10:00-11:00 PM: Expected arrival back home in Calgary
PLEASE NOTE: The event organisers are not mountain guides and are not acting as guides for this event. To the best of our ability, we will try to make sure everybody has a safe and fun experience, but ultimately you are responsible for your own safety. Some familiarity with rappelling is highly recommended but not necessarily required. The organisers completed the ADVENTURE twice themselves in June 2022 in 2.5hrs car-to car.
July 5 2022 Nihahi Canyon attendees on the ride in
Hunthikers on the 2nd rappel seen from below