Annual Meeting 2019 | Schedule

Early Check In | Happy Hour | Gear Expo.

4:00pm – 6:00pm

** Pick up your Duffle Bag if you were one of the first 20 to register online **

** You must check in and Register with staff before attending any clinics **

Van Camping  – Full

Check In Open

7:00am – 9:00am

Check in for Annual Meeting – pick up your name tag and a copy of your clinics.

** You must check in and Register with staff before attending any clinics **

Outdoor Technical Clinics | 9:00am-3:00pm

Full – Common Problems Encountered in the Single Pitch Environment

Learn from a long time SPI Provider and look outside of the normal SPI curriculum. Gain additional tools to solve everyday guide challenges in the single pitch environment.

Prerequisites Required: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock Guide, or higher

Full –  SPI Master Class: Beyond the Curriculum, Within the Scope

SPI students demonstrate minimum proficiency standards on their assessment. But, as any seasoned Single Pitch Instructor will attest, those skills are just the tip of the iceberg. The SPI Master Class will explore skills that are well within an SPI scope of practice, but rarely included in a typical SPI course curriculum.

Prerequisites Required: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock Guide, or higher

Full – Short-roping 101A and 101B –

Short roping is part science and part art -fusing it all together to create flow is more difficult than first meets the eye. Learn from an AMGA Instructor Team member what it takes!

Prerequisites Required: Apprentice Rock Guide, Apprentice Alpine Guide (via ASC), or higher

Full – Transitions for Rock

Hone your transitions in a practical setting. Up-to-down, down-to-up, lowering, pre-rig and belayed rappels are a few of the topics to be covered in this clinic.

Prerequisites Required: Apprentice Rock Guide, Apprentice Alpine Guide (via ASC), or higher

Full – Downhill Transitions & Descending Problem Solving

Practice getting yourself and your clients in and out of exposed anchors. This clinic will focus on managing downhill transitions while focusing on guide and client security.

Prerequisites Required: Apprentice Rock Guide, Apprentice Alpine Guide (via ASC), or higher

Full – Advanced Short Roping for Assistant Alpine and Rock Guides

This clinic is specifically designed for Assistant Rock and Alpine Guides to focus on dialing in their short-roping technique. Get together with your peers and an IT member to practice, refresh, and hone short-roping. This is a great opportunity if you’re thinking about taking an exam next year.

Prerequisites Required: Assistant Rock Guide, Assistant Alpine Guide, or higher

Indoor Technical Clinics – Morning | 8:00am-11:30pm

Full – Rock Rescue Drill

An introduction or review of the updated AMGA Rock Rescue Drill with applied practice.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock Guide, or Higher

Full – SPI Skills Refresh

Refresh your SPI technical skills! This clinic will focus on key portions of the SPI Curriculum like belay takeovers, counter-ascension and climber assistance, and more. Great clinic if you are refreshing or prepping for an SPI Exam.

Prerequisites Suggested: Completion of SPI Course, Certified SPI or higher 

Full – Crevasse Rescue

Although rarely used, crevasse rescue is an important rescue skill for guides and one that should be practiced often and with purpose.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock, Apprentice Alpine (via ASC), Apprentice Ski Guide, or higher

Full – Alpine Transitions

Work on simple alpine transitions with a single rope that will include ascent and descent options focusing on guide security and minimal gear.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock, Apprentice Alpine (via ASC), Apprentice Ski Guide, or higher

Full – Technical Testing with Petzl

The Materials Testing / Technical Testing clinics generally focus part of the time on how testing helps answer critical questions that will bring a piece of equipment to market. Petzl has a tensile testing machine (used measure breaking strength with a consistent method) and a drop tower (designed to measure dynamic forces in a system upon falling or impact.) During each clinic, we examine what kind of questions are worth asking with each system, and we get to edge outside of “normal” a little bit to see what happens when equipment is subjected to forces or applications outside of what the manufacturers intended. Participants are encourage to submit applications or products they would like to test, as well as bringing old or used equipment they would like to test.

Full – Improvised Rope Ascent and Descent

Dropped your device? Short on gear? Learning how to construct ascending and descending techniques for fixed or rappel ropes is a skill all climbers should know.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock, Apprentice Alpine (via ASC), Apprentice Ski Guide, or higher

Full – Weighted Transitions

Learning how to go in and out, working with munter-mules, and passing knots on a loaded rope are mandatory guide skills. Learn the critical steps in this clinic.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock, Apprentice Alpine (via ASC), Apprentice Ski Guide, or higher

Classroom Clinics | 8:00am-9:30am

 Space Available – Policy 101 for Guides | Learn more about AMGA policy work | Matt Wade, AMGA Advocacy Director

Learn about current policy initiatives that affect access for guides. Topics will include the SOAR Act, Forest Service NEPA rulemaking, and updates on access work from around the country.

Space Available – The Fourth Discipline | Russell Hunter

The Fourth Discipline is the “business of being a guide”  We will discuss what makes a guide truly successful as a guide working independently or for a guide service.  Topics will include; using technology, generating return clients and developing the communication skills to interact effectively with clients, co-workers and management.

Space Available – Ask the Executive Director

Sit down with the AMGA’s Executive Director, Alex Kosseff for an open question and answer session

Classroom Clinics | 9:50am – 11:20am

Space Available – Improvised Backcountry Ski Repair | Ian Nicholson

This clinic will cover all the cool techniques for field repair of broken bindings, skis and boots.

Full – Hot topics in Insurance for guides | Don Pachner

Current Issues, Including Contracted Guides, Foreign Trips, B.C. Permits, Special Language for Certificates, Professional Liability Exposure, Insurance Market Trends and more. Question & Answer Session.

Space Available – Jupiter, Shipwrecks and the French Revolution |Ed Crothers

This workshop is intended for anyone who teaches backcountry navigation or is actively pursuing the Forth Discipline. Do you know why there are 360 degrees in a circle? Why the Prime Meridian runs through Greenwich, England? The origins of the metric system? If not, get with the program! Wow even your most sophisticated clients when you casually bring up the Longitude Act of 1714, the significance of the number 60, or why the measurement of speed at sea is measured in knots. Boring navigation classes will be a thing of the past.

Classroom Clinics | 12:30pm-3:50pm

Full – Avalanche Transceiver Searches | Dialing in your system

It’s fall and the snow will be falling soon – get a jump start on practicing your systems. This clinic will focus on practicing transceiver searches and will discuss the AMGA beacon drill (Meeting in the Petzl Courtyard)

Space Available – Weather for Mountain Guides | Ian Nicholson

Learning how to read forecasts models and applying this to your guiding is an important skill that is a must for guide.

Space Available – DEI Committee Round Table | Learn More and get involved

Have you been curious about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Efforts . at the AMGA. Would you like to know more about the DEI committee’s work and how you can participate? Come to this open committee meeting and learn more

Classroom Clinics | 12:30pm-2:00pm

Space Available – The new FCC rules and the changing landscape for radio communications | Presented by BCA

The rules have changed, allowing for more powerful and versatile FRS licensed radios. However, the FCC is now cracking down on individuals and businesses using unlicensed 5+ Watt radios and older FRS/GMRS radios. Come find out how these changes affect you and your operation—and how to minimize your risk while maintaining performance

Classroom Clinics | 2:20pm-3:50pm

 Space Available – Insuring Foreign Guiding Operations | Don Pachner

Update on how foreign exposure is covered and availability on a general liability policy, tour operator policy, foreign package policy, workers’ compensation policy, group travel accident policy and automobile policy.  Insurance issues on British Columbia Provincial Park permits.  Question and answer session.

Indoor Technical Clinics Afternoon | 12:30pm-4:00pm

Full – Rock Rescue Drill

An introduction or review of the updated AMGA Rock Rescue Drill with applied practice.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock Guide, or Higher

Space Available – SPI Skills Refresh

Refresh your SPI technical skills! This clinic will focus on key portions of the SPI Curriculum like belay takeovers, counter-ascension and climber assistance, and more. Great clinic if you are refreshing or prepping for an SPI Exam.

Prerequisites Suggested: Completion of SPI Course, Certified SPI or higher 

Full – Improvised Rope Ascent and Descent

Dropped your device? Short on gear? Learning how to construct ascending and descending techniques for fixed or rappel ropes is a skill all climbers should know.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock, Apprentice Alpine (via ASC), Apprentice Ski Guide, or higher

Full – Alpine Transitions

Work on simple alpine transitions with a single rope that will include ascent and descent options focusing on guide security and minimal gear.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock, Apprentice Alpine (via ASC), Apprentice Ski Guide, or higher

Full – Crevasse Rescue

Although rarely used, crevasse rescue is an important rescue skill for guides and one that should be practiced often and with purpose.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock, Apprentice Alpine (via ASC), Apprentice Ski Guide, or higher

Full – Technical Testing with Petzl

The Materials Testing / Technical Testing clinics generally focus part of the time on how testing helps answer critical questions that will bring a piece of equipment to market. Petzl has a tensile testing machine (used measure breaking strength with a consistent method) and a drop tower (designed to measure dynamic forces in a system upon falling or impact.) During each clinic, we examine what kind of questions are worth asking with each system, and we get to edge outside of “normal” a little bit to see what happens when equipment is subjected to forces or applications outside of what the manufacturers intended. Participants are encourage to submit applications or products they would like to test, as well as bringing old or used equipment they would like to test.

Evening Activities

6pm-10pm – AMGA Visit to Black Diamond Headquarters

Join us at the Black Diamond Equipment Campus for a BBQ, Beverages, a tour of their headquarters, shop for specials in store,  and pick up online orders.

Registration Open

7:30am – 9:00am

Check in for Annual Meeting – pick up your name tag and a copy of your clinics.

Outdoor Technical Clinics | 9:00am-3:00pm

Full- Common Problems Encountered in the Single Pitch Environment

Learn from a long time SPI Provider and look outside of the normal SPI curriculum. Gain additional tools to solve everyday guide challenges in the single pitch environment.

Prerequisites Required: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock Guide, or higher

Full-SPI Master Class: Beyond the Curriculum, Within the Scope

SPI students demonstrate minimum proficiency standards on their assessment. But, as any seasoned Single Pitch Instructor will attest, those skills are just the tip of the iceberg. The SPI Master Class will explore skills that are well within an SPI scope of practice, but rarely included in a typical SPI course curriculum.

Prerequisites Required: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock Guide, or higher

Space Available – IFMGA IFMGA/Mountain Guide Technical Systems Class

Get together with other IFMGA Guides (and an IT member) to discuss and break down high-level technical systems. The exact focus of this clinic will be determined via suggestions from participants to the Instructor in advance of the day. This is a great opportunity to learn from other IFMGA Guides and discuss and analyze technical complexities that have come up for you in the field.

Prerequisite Required: American Mountain Guide/IFMGA Mountain Guide

Full-Advanced Short-Roping for Certified Rock and Alpine Guides

This clinic is for Certified Rock and Alpine Guides that want to learn something new about the art of short-roping. Discuss short-roping intricacies with your peers and an AMGA IT member, and through the use of load cells have the opportunity to see the forces you can hold.

Prerequisites Required: Certified Rock Guide or Certified Alpine Guide

Full-Transitions for Rock

Hone your transitions in a practical setting. Up-to-down, down-to-up, lowering, pre-rig and belayed rappels are a few of the topics to be covered in this clinic.

Prerequisites Required: Apprentice Rock Guide, Apprentice Alpine Guide (via ASC), or higher

Full-Downhill Transitions & Descending Problem Solving

Practice getting yourself and your clients in and out of exposed anchors. This clinic will focus on managing downhill transitions while focusing on guide and client security.

Prerequisites Required: Apprentice Rock Guide, Apprentice Alpine Guide (via ASC), or higher

Indoor Technical Clinics | 8:30am-1:30pm

Full-Rock Warrior’s Way Workshop

Understanding the climbing metaphor to bridge clients’ experiences to life lessons. There are many ways to understand the climbing metaphor for teaching life lessons. Some ways are limiting that hinder clients’ experiences, diminish learning, and don’t bridge well to life. Other ways are more helpful, align with the learning process, and bridge well to life. We’ll do climbing movement exercises to understand the climbing metaphor, our motivation, and how to draw out the most important learning lessons that can be bridged to other life experiences. Additional Cost: Day pass $25

Indoor Technical Clinics – Morning | 8:00am-11:30pm

Full-Rock Rescue Drill

An introduction or review of the updated AMGA Rock Rescue Drill with applied practice.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock Guide, or Higher

Full-Leader Rescue

Many guides have learned how to rescue the follower but what happens when your leader needs rescuing?

Prerequisites Suggested: Completion of SPI Course, Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock Guide, or higher

Full-Fixed point belays

Learn how to construct anchors that will work well with fixed point belays and multiple ways to belay off of them

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock, Apprentice Alpine (via ASC), Apprentice Ski Guide, or higher

Full-Alpine Transitions

Work on simple alpine transitions with a single rope that will include ascent and descent options focusing on guide security and minimal gear.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock, Apprentice Alpine (via ASC), Apprentice Ski Guide, or higher

Full-Crevasse Rescue

Although rarely used, crevasse rescue is an important rescue skill for guides and one that should be practiced often and with purpose.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock, Apprentice Alpine (via ASC), Apprentice Ski Guide, or higher

Full-Weighted Transitions

Learning how to go in and out, working with munter-mules, and passing knots on a loaded rope are mandatory guide skills. Learn the critical steps in this clinic.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock, Apprentice Alpine (via ASC), Apprentice Ski Guide, or higher

Classroom Clinics | 8:00-11:20am

Full – Avalanche Transceiver Searches | Dialing in your system

It’s fall and the snow will be falling soon – get a jump start on practicing your systems. This clinic will focus on practicing transceiver searches and will discuss the AMGA beacon drill (Meeting in the Petzl Courtyard)

Space Available –SPI and CWI Provider Round Table

Want to seek clarity on program policies? Looking to share excitement or concerns? We would love to hear your topic ideas and gain your input. This round table will be a facilitated discussion specific to provider chosen topics. Providers will submit discussion topics prior to the round table and then during the round table these topics will be discussed based on priority.

*Registration numbers may cause the round table to split into a two part discussion, one for SPI Providers and the other for CWI Providers.

If you would like to attend this but are not attending annual meeting please contact [email protected] 

Prerequisite: SPI or CWI Provider in Training, Assistant Provider, Provider, or Provider Trainer

Classroom Clinics | 8:00-9:30am

Space Available –Opportunities and Challenges of Working for a Guide Service | Russell Hunter

Many guides will choose to work for a guide service during their careers. Come join career guide became guide service owner, Russell Hunter to learn about what makes working for a guide service great and not so great. This clinic will help guides become better employees and understand what guide services look for in their guides.

Space Available –The Permitting Process and Strategies for Approaching Land Managers | Matt Wade and Geoff Unger

Do you want to get access to guide in your area but are unsure of how to approach your local land managers? Learn effective strategies and gain valuable insights into the permitting process from the AMGA Advocacy Team.

Space Available –Intro to International Info-Ex | Stuart Smith

An intro to the industry standard in operational risk management for winter programs. Want to increase the structure of your avalanche risk decisions and record keeping? Keen to understand the distribution of avalanche problems beyond your personal observations and recordings? For decades, InfoEx has been the backbone of professional information exchange and avalanche risk management in Canada and last year launched an international service. AMGA ski guide programs all use the InfoEx for AM/PM Meetings and documentation. Join the Canadian Avalanche Association’s InfoEx Manager Stuart Smith for a demo of key InfoEx functionality and a Q&A session.

Classroom Clinics | 9:50-11:20

Space Available –Policy 101 for Guides – AMGA policy work | Matt Wade

Learn about current policy initiatives that affect access for guides. Topics will include the SOAR Act, Forest Service NEPA rulemaking, and updates on access work from around the country.

Space Available –Hot topics in Insurance for guides | Don Pachner

Current Issues, Including Contracted Guides, Foreign Trips, B.C. Permits, Special Language for Certificates, Professional Liability Exposure, Insurance Market Trends and more. Question & Answer Session.

Space Available –Advanced International InfoEx skills | Stuart Smith

A workshop primarily for those already using InfoEx. More complex functionality will be reviewed, and a specific focus placed on how to successfully tailor InfoEx for your unique operational context. This will include how to build functional runlists and other extensions available. Come prepared with your questions for the Canadian Avalanche Association’s InfoEx Manager Stuart Smith.

Classroom Clinics | 12:30pm-3:50pm

Space Available –Roundtable Discussion on Climate and Guiding with AMGA and POW

Is climate change currently affecting your work as a guide? If not currently, how do you anticipate it will in the future? This open discussion will be facilitated by Torrey Udall,POW (Protect Our Winters), AMGA President Angela Hawse, and Advocacy and Policy Director Matt Wade. We will identify your top issues, concerns and interest in engaging in Climate awareness and accountability.

Classroom Clinics | 12:30-2pm

Full- Managing Inappropriate Clients; Tools for Services and Guides | Lyra Pierotti and Derek Debruin

This clinic is designed to help guides and guide service administrators address “problem” clients who may be creating socio-emotionally unsafe environments for guides and/or other clients. We’ll use a real-world case study to explore proactive and reactive strategies guides and admin can use to manage these risks. Come ready to listen and share your experiences, tools, and ideas.

Space Available –Using GPS tech to improve endurance training | Lewis Wu -COROS Wearables

Discussions and learning how modern wearable technology: GPS, oximeter, heart rate monitor, advanced running dynamic metrics, compass, barometer and more can help improve a climber’s endurance and keep guides and clients safe during the trip. Swag giveaways and demo/loaner watches available from COROS.

Classroom Clinics | 2:20-3:50pm

Space Available –Insuring Foreign Guiding Operations | Don Pachner

Update on how foreign exposure is covered and availability on a general liability policy, tour operator policy, foreign package policy, workers’ compensation policy, group travel accident policy and automobile policy.  Insurance issues on British Columbia Provincial Park permits.  Question and answer session.

Space Available –Scope Of Practice in Depth | Presentation and questions  – Dale Remsberg  and Alex Kosseff

The AMGA Scope of Practice comes in to affect in 2022. In this presentation learn more about how this is going to affect and empower you as a guide. Hear from our Executive Director and Technical Director and ask all your SOP questions.

Indoor Technical Clinics Afternoon | 12:30pm-4:00pm

Full –Rock Rescue Drill

An introduction or review of the updated AMGA Rock Rescue Drill with applied practice.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock Guide, or Higher

Full –Leader Rescue

Work on simple alpine transitions with a single rope that will include ascent and descent options focusing on guide security and minimal gear.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock, Apprentice Alpine (via ASC), Apprentice Ski Guide, or higher

Full –Fixed Point Belays

Learn how to construct anchors that will work well with fixed point belays and multiple ways to belay off of them.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock, Apprentice Alpine (via ASC), Apprentice Ski Guide, or higher

Full –Alpine Transitions

When, why and how do we lower people? This clinic will hit all the considerations for this critical skill.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock, Apprentice Alpine (via ASC), Apprentice Ski Guide, or higher

Full –Crevasse Rescue

Although rarely used, crevasse rescue is an important rescue skill for guides and one that should be practiced often and with purpose.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock, Apprentice Alpine (via ASC), Apprentice Ski Guide, or higher

Evening Activities

4:30-6pm

Social hour, partner booths, dinner and drinks served

6pm

Raffle!!

 6:30-8pm

AMGA Strategic Plan Release and Open Q&A with the AMGA Board of directors.

Registration Open

7:30am – 9:00am

Check in for Annual Meeting – pick up your name tag and a copy of your clinics.

Outdoor Technical Clinics | 9:00am-3:00pm

Space Available –Common Problems Encountered in the Single Pitch Environment

Longtime SPI Provider will look outside of the normal SPI curriculum and provide additional tools to solve everyday guide challenges in the single pitch environment.

Prerequisites Required: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock Guide, or higher

Space Available –Short-roping 101a and 101b

Short roping is part science and part art -fusing it all together to create flow is more difficult than first meets the eye. Learn from an AMGA Instructor Team member what it takes!

Prerequisites Required: Apprentice Rock Guide, Apprentice Alpine Guide (via ASC), or higher

Indoor Technical Clinics – Morning | 8:00am-11:30pm

Full – Rock Rescue Drill for Apprentice Rock Guides

A review of the updated AMGA Rock Rescue Drill with applied practice. Specifically designed for Apprentice Rock Guides wanting to practice with an IT member.

Prerequisites Required: Apprentice Rock Guide or Higher

Full – Lowering Applications

When, why and how do we lower people? This clinic will hit all the considerations for this critical skill.

Prerequisites Suggested: Completion of SPI Course, Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock Guide, or higher

Full – Leader Rescue

Many guides have learned how to rescue the follower but what happens when your leader needs rescuing?

Prerequisites Suggested: Completion of SPI Course, Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock Guide, or higher

Full – Fixed Point Belays

Learn how to construct anchors that will work well with fixed point belays and multiple ways to belay off of them.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock, Apprentice Alpine (via ASC), Apprentice Ski Guide, or higher

Full – Crevasse Rescue

Although rarely used, crevasse rescue is an important rescue skill for guides and one that should be practiced often and with purpose.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock, Apprentice Alpine (via ASC), Apprentice Ski Guide, or higher

Full – Weighted Transitions

Learning how to go in and out, working with munter-mules, and passing knots on a loaded rope are mandatory guide skills. Learn the critical steps in this clinic.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock, Apprentice Alpine (via ASC), Apprentice Ski Guide, or higher

Classroom Clinics | 8:30am-11:20am

Full – Indie Guide Round Table | Secrets to being your own Boss

This round table will be an open discussion of techniques for independent guides who are trying to navigate the guide work culture. Some key objectives will be: What are the main difficulties facing independent guides in the US? How do we balance company work with independent work? What should we charge and what is reasonable amount to make? What knowledge can we share for acquiring permits, insurance, business infrastructure and marketing?

Space Available –How to incorporate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in your everyday practice as guides and instructors | Lila Leatherman and Monserrat Alvarez

Are you interested in working to create a positive learning environment for diverse clients and students? Often times we may feel intimidated to ask questions about practices such as pronouns, land acknowledgment, and correcting harmful language. This course is designed to put into action common practices. allow you the space to ask questions, and practice incorporating these tools into your daily instruction or guiding.

Space Available –International InfoEx Set Up Workshop | Stuart Smith

A hands-on workshop for new subscribers who want to start using InfoEx this winter. Start (and potentially complete) your InfoEx set-up work. We will cover setting up location catalogs, structuring workflows, user management and best practices for efficient usage. Contact InfoEx Manager Stuart Smith before the workshop to get your account created and be ready to hit the ground running.

Full-Avalanche Transceiver Searches | Dialing in your system

It’s fall and the snow will be falling soon – get a jump start on practicing your systems. This clinic will focus on practicing transceiver searches and will discuss the AMGA beacon drill (Meeting in the Petzl Courtyard)

Classroom Clinics | 8:00am-9:30am

Space Available –Ski Guide’s Meetings and Run Lists

An AMGA Instructor Team member will run you through AMGA common practices for am and pm meetings and how and when to open ski terrain.

Classroom Clinics | 9:50-11:20

Space Available –Improvised Ski Repair

This clinic will cover all the cool techniques for field repair of broken bindings, skis and boots.

Classroom Clinics | 12:30pm-3:50pm

Space Available –Weather for Mountain Guides

Learning how to read forecasts models and applying this to your guiding is an important skill that is a must for guides

Classroom Clinics | 12:30pm-2:00pm

Full –The Art of Retaining Clients | Keith Garvey

Ever wonder how some guides have a totally full schedule stacked with request/return client work? In this classroom style clinic, learn ‘the art of retaining clients,’ from one of the best in the business.

Full –Jupiter, Shipwrecks and the French Revolution | Ed Crothers

This workshop is intended for anyone who teaches backcountry navigation or is actively pursuing the Forth Discipline. Do you know why there are 360 degrees in a circle? Why the Prime Meridian runs through Greenwich, England? The origins of the metric system? If not, get with the program! Wow even your most sophisticated clients when you casually bring up the Longitude Act of 1714, the significance of the number 60, or why the measurement of speed at sea is measured in knots. Boring navigation classes will be a thing of the past.

Space Available –New and Prospective Board Members Training

This session covers the roles, responsibilities, and opportunities involved in being on AMGA’s Board of Directors. It is intended for new Board members, current Board members, and those interested in running for the Board in the future.

Classroom Clinics | 2:10pm-3:30pm

Space Available –Improvised Ski Repair

This clinic will cover all the cool techniques for field repair of broken bindings, skis and boots.

Indoor Technical Clinics Afternoon | 12:30pm-4:00pm

Full –Rock Rescue Drill for Apprentice Rock Guides

A review of the updated AMGA Rock Rescue Drill with applied practice. Specifically designed for Apprentice Rock Guides wanting to practice with an IT member.

Prerequisites Required: Apprentice Rock Guide or Higher

Space Available –Leader Rescue

Work on simple alpine transitions with a single rope that will include ascent and descent options focusing on guide security and minimal gear.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock, Apprentice Alpine (via ASC), Apprentice Ski Guide, or higher

Full –Fixed Point Belays

Learn how to construct anchors that will work well with fixed point belays and multiple ways to belay off of them.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock, Apprentice Alpine (via ASC), Apprentice Ski Guide, or higher

Space Available –Lowering Applications

When, why and how do we lower people? This clinic will hit all the considerations for this critical skill.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock, Apprentice Alpine (via ASC), Apprentice Ski Guide, or higher

Space Available –Crevasse Rescue

Although rarely used, crevasse rescue is an important rescue skill for guides and one that should be practiced often and with purpose.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock, Apprentice Alpine (via ASC), Apprentice Ski Guide, or higher

Space Available –Weighted Transitions

Learning how to go in and out, working with munter-mules, and passing knots on a loaded rope are mandatory guide skills. Learn the critical steps in this clinic.

Prerequisites Suggested: Certified SPI, Apprentice Rock, Apprentice Alpine (via ASC), Apprentice Ski Guide, or higher

40th Anniversary Celebration

2019 marks the AMGA’s 40th year. We will be celebrating our anniversary at an offsite location. This evening will include awards, IFMGA Graduation, special guest speakers and most importantly… the 1979 costume contest! Find your best 1979 outfit and get ready to party!

More info on location to come.

AMGA Board Meeting

8:00am-2:00pm

AMGA Board of Directors meeting. Open to members to attend. Please RSVP when you register for clinics in order to plan for lunch.

Post-Conference Sessions

Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Re-Cert

Monday, October 28 and Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Cost: $250
Location: PTI

Register Here: https://amga.com/product/wfr-recertification-course-mountain-guides/

Presented by: Alan Oram, D.O. American Mountain Guide/IFMGA Guide, Emergency medicine, Medical Advisor to the AMGA, Mountain Guide Medicine, LLC in conjunction with the University of New Mexico, Department of Emergency Medicine, International Mountain Medicine Center.

This course is targeted towards working mountain guides and will address and focus on issues, skills and problems that mountain guides will come across while working in mountain environments. This is a 2-day course with 8 hours of online content to be completed before the course. The online content is self paced and will be available 30 days prior to start of course.

This course will be held immediately after the AMGA annual meeting and is open to all guides from any organization interested in education by and for mountain guides. This course will be taught by medical professionals with clinical emergency medicine experience and skills. Instructors bring a diverse background in emergency medicine and pre-hospital care.

WFR cards from other organizations such as WMI, WMA etc are honored and will be accepted as previous certification for recertification purposes. CPR certification will be offered.

Contact Alan Oram [email protected] for additional questions.

Paradox Sports Adaptive Climbing Initiative Course

Monday, October 28 – 9am-5pm Tuesday | October 29, 201 – 9am -12pm

Cost:  $130

Location: PTI

Register Here: https://amga.com/product/paradox-sports-adaptive-climbing-initiative-course/

As one of the nation’s premier adaptive climbing organizations, Paradox Sports is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives and communities through adaptive climbing opportunities that defy convention. The vision of Paradox Sports is a world with accessible adaptive opportunities, which empowers individuals, builds communities and honors the fact that ability does not prevent opportunity.

Supported by The North Face, Paradox Sports has put together a comprehensive training program to welcome people with physical disabilities into the climbing community. These courses get climbing facilitators the experience and equipment they need to deliver quality adaptive climbing programs. The course is composed of an interactive classroom session, followed by a hands-on floor session focused on the following;

• Adaptive Etiquette
• Cultural Considerations
• Health Considerations
• Facilitators Toolkit
• Types of (Dis) Abilities
• Invisible (Dis) Abilities
• Adaptive Specific Equipment
• Mechanical Advantage Systems
• Risk Management
• Practical Sessions

Join us for an engaging workshop on adaptive climbing and be a part of the solution in creating climbing opportunities for all!