In the summer of 2023, Spanish photographer Irene Hervás rappelled and ziplined with a group of stand-up paddleboarders into a narrow canyon tucked away in Abraham Lake, between Saskatchewan Crossing and Nordegg, AB.
Five paddleboarders put in at the Cline River and navigated the frigid, blue waters for four hours.
“Steep canyons present difficult challenges when it comes to photography. Over many years, I have been fortunate to develop canyoning skills to shoot in these environments and apply them to my style. Creating interesting shots of canyoners experiencing these beautiful places for the first time is a joy,” said Hervás.
“When you find a picture of yourself in a magazine from an amazing trip, the memories and emotions start flowing back like the spring melt,” wrote @sup_bradfish, the paddler in the photo, on Instagram. “When the opportunity to rappel into a canyon with my paddle board came my way, I couldn’t pass it up! It was a long time since I was on the ropes (as an arborist), so it took a bit to get out there.
Once in the canyon, I was overwhelmed with excitement. The roar of the water and the echo of everyone in there was exhilarating.”
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