AMGA in 2007
The American Mountain Guides Association is enjoying a successful year, breaking ground in advocacy, education and support for the country’s mountain guiding community.
AMGA National Office Gets Face Lift:
The last few months have seen a great deal of change at the AMGA National Office headquartered in Boulder, Colorado. Betsy Novak (former Program Director) succeeds Mike Alkaitis as Executive Director, becoming the first woman to fill this challenging position; Henry Beyer assumes the role of Program Director, making room for Katie Kelly as the new Membership Director; and Justin Yates continues his vital role as Program Assistant, managing the critical and ever growing areas of Tope Rope Site Management and contract courses.
Held the 2nd Annual Powdercat Ski Day:
The AMGA completed its second annual Powdercat skiing fundraiser. In January our intrepid group met on Vail Pass for a much-anticipated day of backcountry powder skiing. Kyle Lefkoff, long time supporter of the AMGA, and Vail Snowcats sponsored the event. A handful of AMGA supporters and client’s of AMGA guides raised over $4,000.00 for the association.
Featured on CNN Anderson Cooper 360:
The AMGA worked with Phil Powers, the Executive Director of the American Alpine Club, on a small feature about avalanches, alpine climbing, and winter survival skills. With over three million viewers, this short spot provided great exposure for the AMGA and many of our corporate partner’s products.
Created Chad VanderHam, Charlie Fowler, and Christine Boskoff Memorial Funds:
The AMGA is currently working on growing these three memorial funds to honor some of the greatest guides in the US. We are also looking to start the Doug Coombs Memorial Fund to honor Doug and keep his memory alive in the guiding community.
Teamed with the American Alpine Club, Access Fund and the Climbing Wall Association:
The Executive Directors of the American Alpine Club, the Access Fund, the Climbing Wall Association and the American Mountain Guides Association have started monthly conversations to discuss important issues facing the climbing community. The goal of these meetings is to figure out ways these national climbing organizations can best work together and speak with a unified voice on current issues.
Worked Locally and Nationally on Climbing and Skiing Access:
The AMGA Public Policy Committee continued its excellence in working for climbing and backcountry skiing access based on resource impacts. The New River Gorge National Park, and Mount Rainier National Park recently joined Joshua Tree National Park in requiring AMGA certification or accreditation to gain commercial access using the Incidental Business Permit, or Commercial Use Authorizations. This does not affect the concession holders’ permits and is in cooperation with them. The committee also worked on the Boulder Colorado Visitors Master Plan, Indian Creek BLM Land Management Plan, and Jefferson County Climbing Management plan. We look forward to working on the Climbing Management Plan for Red Rock NCA Nevada.
Grew the Diamond Corporate Partnership Program:
With the help of Black Diamond (Rock), Mammut (Official Rope), Marmot (Ski), The North Face (Alpine), and W.L. Gore (Instructor Team), the AMGA continues to grow the Diamond Partner Program in 2007. We would like to welcome Casio Pathfinder (Official Watch), and Vail Valley Medical Center (Official Medical Provider) to the team. These key companies have helped contribute $70,000 toward AMGA programs, instructor trainings, and public policy work.
Scholarship Programs:
In 2007 the AMGA is proud to have awarded corporate partner scholarships for working mountain guides in America with the support of Arc’teryx, Backcountry Access, Black Diamond, Gore-Tex®, Mammut, Marmot, Mountain Hardware, Patagonia (women’s scholarship), Petzl, The North Face, and Casio in 2007. Vital support from these companies has funded over $28,000 in program scholarships for aspiring guides in 2007. The AMGA looks forward to working with these companies again in 2008. This incredible support touches the lives of many guides and clients.
Increased Certified Guides Pool:
The AMGA continues to grow its certified guide pool across all disciplines (alpine, rock, ski & TRSM). There are currently 314 Certified Individual Members of the AMGA as well as 276 Associate Members who hold a Top Rope Site Manager certification, for a total of 590 certified guides. The IFMGA Certified Guide pool (the highest level of guide certification available in the world) grew by 23% from 2006 to 2007. This brings the total number of AMGA trained certified IFMGA guides to 37. (There are a total of 50 IFMGA Certified Guides who are members of the AMGA.) There are currently 124 AMGA Certified Alpine Guides, with 14 candidates enrolled in upcoming exams, 140 Certified Rock Guides, with 14 candidates enrolled in upcoming exams (we added a second exam in Red Rock, NV this fall to accommodate the demand), 75 Certified Rock Instructors, with 4 enrolled in an upcoming exam, 89 Certified Ski Mountaineering Guides, and 8 Certified Ski Guides.
Planning the Annual Land Managers Conference for 2008:
The AMGA is looking for a corporate partner to support the renewal of the annual Land Managers Conference. This important conference is a way to communicate effectively with land managers about current and potential issues.
Continued Partnership and Training with Leave No Trace:
Conducted Leave No Trace Training in Bishop, California, Red Rock, Nevada, Yosemite Valley, California, and Moab, Utah for AMGA instructors, examiners, and members.
