Canyon in Madeira
Ribeira do Juncal (Afluente Oeste)
Extreme · v6a1 III
Rappels: 12 · Max waterfall: 253 m · Min rope: 135 m
Little detailed information is available for this canyon beyond its opening. It is a very serious big-wall descent: the 253 m first vertical is split into three rappels with intermediate anchors at 50 m and 135 m, the final 100 m are free-hanging with no wall contact, and a third intermediate anchor 30 m below the current third one is recommended, as the rope used on the opening descent fell 27 m short of the bottom. Minimum rope is 2×135 m. Alternative exits are only possible from R6, by an old, no longer visible path towards Cabeço da Lenha, and rescue is only feasible after R8 or above the first intermediate anchor. The approach is about 10 minutes from a start altitude of 1530 m, and the return takes about 2 hours.
Official notes
The first vertical is done in three rappels with two intermediate anchors (at 50 m and 135 m). On the opening descent the 114 m rope used did not reach the bottom, forcing an exit manoeuvre with a shunt and extra rope; 27 m of rope were missing. Anyone repeating the descent should place a third anchor 30 m below the current third one, which is feasible on a basalt dyke just before the wall goes overhanging. The last 100 m are overhanging with no wall contact, only becoming possible near the end in a "cerro" (scree/ridge) zone. Alternative exits exist only from rappel 6, via an old path with no visible traces today, so "navigation by sight" to Cabeço da Lenha. Rescue is currently possible only after rappel 8, or before the first intermediate anchor.
Anchors, flow and access change with every storm and every winter. Treat the current status as a snapshot and check the latest conditions before any descent.
Technical data
Official technical sheet
Detailed data, history and technical notes are maintained by Clube Aventura da Madeira on the Canyons da Madeira website.
Nearby and similar canyons
Other sections of the same stream, canyons in the same area, and canyons of a similar grade.