AMGA Guide Courses
AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Course and Certification Assessment
The American Mountain Guides (AMGA) Single Pitch Instructor Course is the first in the sequence of climbing instructor and guide training programs. This is a great way to transition from a capable recreational climber to a capable and effective climbing instructor. The SPI course is intended for recreational climbers who are already proficient in both top-rope and lead climbing.
Those seeking certification may go on to take a two day field examination following the course or at any time within three years after successfully completing the course. Those who wish to teach climbing in the outdoors tend to have a much higher success rate in obtaining employment as climbing instructors with this training and certification.
This season's SPI course and exam will be held on Sept. 10-12 (course) and Sept. 17-18 (exam) in the Albuquerque area. This program will be taught by John Kear IFMGA (International Federation of Mountain Guides Association) certified guide.
Cost
The cost for a SPI course will be $450 which includes a one year membership to the AMGA .
The cost of the AMGA SPI assessment is: $245.
In addition Suntoucher will be offering another SPI course and assessment this summer and fall, check back for dates.
Pre-Requistes
You are at least 18 years old You have a genuine interest in rock climbing and instructing novices on single pitch crags You have at least 12 months of prior climbing experience You are an active climber with traditional lead climbing experience.
You are able to comfortably set-up climbs, to belay, to rappel without guidance and can demonstrate familiarity with anchoring principals, natural anchors and artificial anchors (wires, hexes, passive and active cams). These skills may be assessed at the start of your course.
Please contact Suntoucher Mountain Guides at climb@suntoucher.com or (505).400.5590 / (505).400.2529 if you are interested in registering for the course or would like more information about the course, the SPI assessment, or other Suntoucher programs.
A deposit of 50% ($225) is needed to reserve a spot in the course and can be paid via check or by credit card with a PayPal money request.
Rock Instructor Course (RIC)
The Rock Instructor Course is the 1st step in the Rock Guide education and certification process and is designed for aspiring guides who have a strong rock climbing background and for instructors who are interested in improving their skills and increasing knowledge. The Rock Instructor Course places strong emphasis on maximizing client rewards while effectively managing risks. The Rock Instructor Course is a prerequisite to taking the Rock Guide Course and the Alpine Guide Course. The Suntoucher Contract RIC in runs a smaller 2:1 ratio to maximize individual attention, practice time and student learning.
There are no scheduled RIC courses in NM for 2010. If you are interested in setting up a NM RIC please contact us to see about scheduling a private course.
Course Area:
Suntoucher’s RIC is run a variety of locations in central New Mexico (Albuquerque Area) but primarily in the Sandia Mountains
Course Length:
The Rock Instructor Course is 10-days in length and is a prerequisite to taking the Rock Guide Course, and the Alpine Guide Course.
PREREQUISITES FOR ROCK INSTRUCTOR COURSE:
You are a current Associate of the AMGA.
You have at least 5 years of rock climbing experience.
Provide a personal climbing resume showing each of the following:
That you have led or shared lead on at least 50 different multi-pitch traditional routes:
- 5 of which should be Grade III
- 4 of which should be Grade IV or longer.
- That you have led at least 10 traditional routes rated 5.10a or harder on various rock types.
- You can safely and comfortably lead crack and face climbs rated 5.10a at the time of the course.
- You are familiar with basic knots, including: figure-8, bowline, clove hitch, munter hitch, mule-hitch, prusik, double fisherman’s and klemheist.
- You are confident with placing traditional protection including: hexes, stoppers, tri-cams, and SLCDs.
- You are comfortable using mechanical (more than two types of belay devices including auto locking devices) and non-mechanical (hip belay) belay methods.
- You are familiar with the use of plate type devices on multi-pitch rappels.
- Provide copy of current basic first aid certification or better.
- You are at least 18 years of age.
SKILLS TAUGHT AND DEVELOPED DURING THE ROCK INSTRUCTOR COURSE:
- Client orientation and preparation
- Equipment and protection selection
- Time and pace management
- Alternate descending techniques
- Improvised non-mechanical ascending
- Anchor construction
- Choosing appropriate belay methods and stances
- Multi-pitch station management
- Rappelling and lowering with clients
- Multiple client guiding
- Short roping and short pitching techniques
- Belay escapes
- Performing improvised ascending methods
- Raising systems for guiding
- Hazard recognition and risk management
- Guide’s notebook
- Improvised harnesses
- Guide’s pack
- Client care
- Emergency procedures
- Pedagogy
- Leave No Trace practices and techniques
- Review of Advanced Rock Guide Course and Aspirant Exam assessment.
To make a reservation please email us or call:
505 400-2529 or 505 400-5590
If you have any questions please contact us at climb@suntoucher.com