AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Course

The AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Program is designed to enable climbing instructors to β€œproficiently facilitate and instruct the sport of rock climbing in a single pitch setting.” The SPI Course is not a β€˜climbing’ course; it is an instructor training course for current, proficient and active rock climbers that aspire to instruct and for current climbing instructors who wish to gain the SPI certification. The course teaches many instructor specific tools enabling the individual to deliver exceptional experiences to students and clients in the single pitch environment.

$699.00

Pay a 50% deposit per item
single pitch instructor group

Have questions? Ask one of our guides!

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(720) 282-9235 |Β Info@saiguides.com

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See below for more details

Overview

The AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Program is designed to enable instructors to β€œproficiently facilitate and instruct the sport of rock climbing in a single pitch setting”. The program is for currently active rock climbers that have a real desire to teach rock climbing in a single pitch setting. Candidates should be passionate rock climbers who have their own equipment, regularly climb and have at least 12 months of outdoor rock climbing experience. Β  Candidates could be current university professors that teach climbing, climbing instructors, scout leaders, summer camp professionals or climbers who wish to undergo additional training, experience and certification to gain employment as a climbing instructor in the outdoor adventure/education industry.

The SPI Course is not a β€œclimbing” course. It is an instructor training course for active, proficient rock climbers and for current climbing instructors who wish to gain SPI certification. Single Pitch Instructor certification is the second stage of the AMGA’s Climbing Instructor Certification Program and will significantly help candidates who wish to work toward the next stage, the AMGA Rock Guide Course (RGC). The SPI course presents many instructor specific topics such as professionalism, teaching techniques, risk management, group site organization, climbing site conservation/LNT and assistance/rescue skills.

The SPI Program is a three day (27 hour) training course and separate two day (16 hour) assessment. Certification is valid for three years as long as the candidate keeps current AMGA Membership and First Aid Certification. After three years, current SPIs can re-take the SPI Assessment to renew SPI certification. Any current SPI who attains certification in any Mountain Guide Program discipline attains permanent SPI certification status provided they maintain AMGA membership and the appropriate level of emergency medical certification.

Itinerary

SPI Course Itinerary – Location Boulder Canyon or Golden, CO

Day 1 – 8:30am-4pm

1: SPI and AMGA Program OverviewΒ  Session

2: ProfessionalismΒ 

Session 3: EquipmentΒ  Session

4: Knots and HitchesΒ 

Session 5: Belaying

Session 6: Protection and AnchoringΒ 

Session 7: Teaching SkillsΒ 

Day 2 – 8am-4pm

Session 8: Selecting the Climbing SiteΒ 

Session 9: Site Organization and Group Management

Session 10: Base-Managed SitesΒ 

Session 11: Assistance Skills – Base-Managed SitesΒ 

Session 12: Programming and Risk Management

Day 3 –Β  8am-4pm

Session 13: Instructor Demo Lead Climb ‘

Session 14: Top-Managed SitesΒ 

Session 15: Lowering

Session 16: Assistance Skills: Top-Managed SitesΒ 

Session 17: RappellingΒ 

Session 18: Climbing Movement

Session 19: SPI Assessment Overview Debriefs

Price Includes

Does Include:

  • AMGA Trained/Certified Guide/Instructor
  • Group Climbing Equipment
  • Ropes
    • Technical Hardware – carabiners, protection, belay device, etc
    • Technical Softgoods – slings, cordelette, anchor rope, etc
  • Personal Climbing Equipment
  • Climbing Shoes
  • Helmet
  • Harness

Does Not Include:

  • Food
  • Transportation
  • Lodging
  • Trip/cancellation Insurance
  • Non-technical Personal Items – clothing, pack, sunglasses, etc
  • Rescue Insurance
  • Park Entrance Fees (if applicable)
  • Guide Gratuity
  • Unforeseen costs incurred outside of the control of SAI

Equipment List

  • UIAA/CE approved Climbing Helmet
  • UIAA/CE approved Climbing Harness with belay loop
  • Climbing shoes or approach shoes in which you can climb up to 5.8
  • Standard β€œlead climbing rack” such as, stoppers/nuts, SLCD’s, tri-cams, etc.
  • Assorted 24” and 48” runners (must have one 48” runner)
  • 10 or more non-locking carabiners
  • 3 or more β€œHMS/Pear shaped carabiners”
  • 6 or more locking carabiners, (the more, the better)
  • Belay/rappel device.
  • Releasable assisted braking device, such as the Petzl β€œGriGri” or Trango β€œCinch” belay devices
  • 2 Prusik loops (1m of 5mm Nylon Accessory Cord)
  • 2 cordelettes (5m of 7mm Nylon Accessory Cord)
  • One 60m “single” rope (9.4-10mm) suitable for leading and top roping
  • One static or β€œsemi static” (gym line) rope 9-11mm, 35m+, for setting up anchors and fixed lines
  • Optional – short 20m β€œground school” rope
RISK MANAGEMENT

Risk managementΒ is SAI’s number one priority. Our guides manage significant hazards inherent in the mountains such as avalanches, ice fall, rock fall, inclement weather, and high winds, but they cannot eliminate them. SAI guides draw from their wealth of experience and training to make sound decisions that maximize your experience without compromising the necessary margin of safety. Please clearly understand that mountaineering and all other mountain adventures are inherently hazardous sports. You are choosing to engage in an activity in which participants have been injured and killed. While those accidents are indeed infrequent, they may occur at any time and be out of our control. We ask that participants acknowledge the risk and hazards of these sports, and make their own choices about whether or not to engage in these activities.

FAQ

Q:What am I responsible to bring?

A: Each one of course pages has information on what to bring under the tab β€œPrice Includes”. We will also send you additional info on how to prepare for your guided day once via email once we have received your payment.Β 

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Q:How fit should I be for my course?

A: Our courses vary from absolute beginner to more advanced techniques on the sharp end.Β  While a base level of fitness (moderate hiking) is generally necessary to get to the climb, all courses can be tweaked to match your level of fitness.

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Q: What if the weather is bad and we need to cancel/reschedule?

A: Read our cancellation policy on our policies page.

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Q: Do I need to have prior climbing experience?

A: Each course/objective has different experience requirements. This information can be found under the Prerequisites tab at the bottom of our course pages.Β  For example, you do not need any prior experience to enroll in our Intro to Mountaineering Course but would need some prior climbing experience to participate in our Learn to Lead Trad Course.Β 

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Q: Is there an age minimum? Can I bring my kids?

A: No, there is not an age minimum and yes you can bring your kids! However, there are some courses where children would not be suitable. You can find more information under the β€œcourse details” tab on our course pages. Also, check out our custom guiding options where we can create custom itinerary for you and your family.Β 

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Q: Will I need transportation to get to the climb?

A: Yes, we do not provide transportation. We encourage carpooling with other course participants whenever possible though to save the environment and parking space! Meeting times and locations will be sent out via email once you have booked a course with us.Β 

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Q: Do you offer lodging options?

A: No. We offer recommended lodging options and sometimes discounted rates depending on the course or trip. Feel free to call us if you have any questions about lodging!



POLICIES

Please review ourΒ cancellation policy here.

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Advanced registration is required to book this course. We have a limited amount of guides and book up regularly. Simply book online if you’re ready to secure a date or, give us a call during business hours if you have any questions.