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Stage 02 — Technical Canyon Segment

The Technical
Core of
the Event.

30 km through remote canyon terrain. 15 supervised rappels. Entry is conditional on equipment verification and athlete clearance.

30 kmCanyon / Trail Distance
15Supervised Rappels
6 mControlled Water Entry
3Internal Checkpoints
Stage Overview

Remote. Technical. Controlled.

The canyon stage is a 30 km technical segment through remote canyon terrain in Hidalgo. It requires endurance, concentration, basic rope-system familiarity and strict compliance with event protocols.

This is the section that defines the technical character of Epic Traverse Hidalgo. The combination of sustained movement, technical rope sections and remote terrain places demands on athletes that go beyond standard endurance racing.

Technical staff are positioned at critical sections. Monitored checkpoints track athlete progression through the canyon. No athlete proceeds through the canyon without mandatory equipment inspection at entry.

30Canyon km
15Supervised Rappels
6 mWater Entry
3Checkpoints

Canyon entry is conditional on successful mandatory equipment inspection and race control clearance. Athletes who do not meet equipment requirements at the canyon entry checkpoint will not proceed.

Technical Features

What to Expect.

Feature 01

Supervised Rappels

15 rope descent sections throughout the canyon corridor. Technical staff are positioned at each critical section. Athletes must demonstrate basic descender competency during equipment inspection.

15 total rappels
Technical staff on-site
Certified equipment required
Feature 02

Controlled Water Entry

One controlled water entry of approximately 6 metres. This section requires a functional waterproof storage system for mandatory equipment. Technical briefing covers the procedure in detail before race day.

~6 m water entry
Waterproof storage mandatory
Briefing prior to race
Feature 03

Monitored Checkpoints

Three internal checkpoints within the canyon provide accountability, athlete status verification and a communication reference for race control. Athletes must clear each checkpoint before proceeding.

3 internal checkpoints
Race control verification
No bypass permitted
Feature 04

Technical Staff Positions

Operational staff are positioned at critical terrain sections throughout the canyon. Their role is technical supervision, progression management and situation reporting to race control.

Staff at critical points
Progression monitoring
Direct radio link to race control
Feature 05

Entry Verification

Mandatory equipment inspection before canyon entry. Athletes without complete approved equipment are not cleared to proceed. No exceptions to this protocol.

Full equipment check
Race control sign-off
Mandatory before entry
Feature 06

Satellite Tracking

Tracking devices remain active throughout the canyon stage. Race control monitors all athletes continuously. SOS activation capability is maintained on all devices.

Continuous tracking
SOS enabled
Race control monitoring
Canyon Stage Equipment

Mandatory Equipment.

The following equipment is required for canyon entry. All items are subject to inspection at the canyon entry checkpoint. Incomplete or non-compliant equipment will prevent clearance to proceed.

Certified climbing harness (verified at inspection)
Approved descender device (compatible with rope diameter)
Certified helmet (canyon / multi-impact rated)
Protective gloves
Hydration system (minimum 2L capacity)
Whistle (accessible, non-electronic)
Emergency thermal blanket
Basic first aid kit
Waterproof storage for all required items
Active satellite tracking device (issued by race control)

A complete mandatory equipment list — including specifications, approved models and inspection criteria — is provided to confirmed athletes in the Athlete Handbook. The list shown here is indicative. Final requirements are published in the official event documentation.

Canyon Safety Protocol

Structured. Not recreational.

The canyon stage operates under a defined safety protocol. The following measures are active throughout the segment.

  • ◆Technical staff positioned at rappel sections and critical terrain points
  • ◆Satellite tracking active on all athletes throughout the canyon
  • ◆Radio communication where terrain conditions allow
  • ◆Civil protection and municipal authorities coordinated for emergency response
  • ◆Emergency extraction plan developed and in place before race day
  • ◆Athlete accountability verified at canyon entry, all internal checkpoints and canyon exit
  • ◆Technical briefing covering all canyon protocols mandatory before race day
Canyon rappel — Epic Traverse Hidalgo
Access Policy

Confidential Route Details.

For environmental, safety and access reasons, precise canyon location and access details are released only to confirmed athletes. This policy protects the terrain, the access agreements and the integrity of the event.

Participants may be required to sign a confidentiality and responsible-access agreement before receiving route documentation.

Canyon location, access coordinates and route specifics are not published in advance and are not available to non-participants. Information is released according to the event communication schedule to confirmed athletes only.

Terrain of this type requires a different approach to information management than a standard race.

Epic Traverse Hidalgo — Access Policy
Important

Athlete Requirements

The canyon stage is not appropriate for athletes without prior experience in technical rope environments. Basic descender proficiency is a minimum requirement, not a recommendation.

Ready

Apply for the
Canyon Traverse.

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