There are very specific differences between mountaineering, canyoning, rock climbing, and intense hiking/trekking. There are different rating systems and types of gear used for each.

HIKING:
Hiking is a natural exercise that promotes physical fitness. In hiking, the journey is more important than the destination. Hiking could be your average Sunday walk through the park or it could be a three-week expedition through the mountain range. Hiking is an escape back to nature and a great way to get a good workout while forgetting all about the day to day hassles of city life. 

CANYONING:
Canyoning in general involves the use of abseiling, jumping and sliding to get from the top of a canyon to the bottom. The difficulty of the canyon usually depends on the use of mountaineering and white water skills to successfully descend a canyon or not. The easiest form of canyoning is called “Gorge Walking” and usually involves ascending an easy angled stream without the use of any ropes or other technical equipment. The canyons can be anything from a steep wide open river, to a deep narrow slot canyon only a couple of feet wide. Most importantly canyoning is a lot of fun.

Rock Climbing:
Rock climbing is an activity in which participants climb up, down or across natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a pre-defined route without falling. Rock climbing is a physically and mentally demanding sport, one that often tests a climber’s strength, endurance, agility and balance along with mental control. All in all climbing helps you overcome your fears and give you a sense of accomplishment.

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE:
In hiking or mountaineering you are mostly going up slopes of 0 to 70-ish degrees. In canyoneering you are basically just getting from point A to point B, even wading through rivers and streams. In rock climbing you are going pretty much straight up a rock, cliff, or wall, or you may even climb inverted at a degree greater than 90. You have no gear assisting your climb up the rock. The gear you carry and place is for support so you don’t fall to injury or death. No walking sticks. No pick axes. No ladders. Just your hands, your feet, and the rock.

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