River trekking

River tracing, also known as stream climbing or river trekking, is a form of mountaineering that involves going up mountain streams to their source performed for sport and outdoor recreation. The activity is popular in Japan, where it is known as sawanobori, and is also popular in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

River tracing usually involves a combination of hiking, climbing, and swimming to ascend stream and its features, including climbing waterfalls, traversing ravine walls, and swimming through gorges. As a rule, the climber moves in the direction opposite the direction of the waterflow. Climbing advanced routes requires being proficient in techniques derived from rock climbing and mountaineering, including belaying, rappelling, and lead climbing. Due to the additional dangers presented by having to navigate the watercourse, additional useful skills include experience in whitewater techniques, an understanding the geographical and meteorological properties of river and valleys, being capable of dealing with sudden bad weather and finding possible exits from the river.