New in 2020 – the Multi-Pitch Instructor Course & Exam prepares candidates to guide multi-pitch climbs up to 4 pitches in length (not to exceed 400 ft total) that are not remote in nature, and have simple approaches and descents with minimal short-roping. This program has an emphasis on providing a great client experience while adequately managing risk for both the client and the guide.
To get your Multi-Pitch Instructor Certification, you must complete:
UPDATES AND FAQS ABOUT THE MULTI-PITCH INSTRUCTOR COURSE & EXAM: HERE
The above prerequisites are absolute minimums. Learn more HERE.
Learn more HERE.
This is the entry-level course for the Rock Guide and Alpine Guide programs and the Rock Instructor Certification. The Rock Guide Course (RGC) was 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 RGC trains aspiring guides on routes up to Grade III and 5.9 while emphasizing risk management and client rewards. You are expected to arrive with a strong recreational climbing background with an acquired knowledge of knots, belaying, anchors, protection strategies, and climbing systems. It is assumed that you can lead the climbs listed on the submitted resume and that you are physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared for a week of outdoor activity.
FORMAT
The Multi-Pitch Instructor Course & Exam includes instruction, coaching, debriefing, and assessment. The program is 8 days in length. There are 5 days of instruction and course work and a 3-day assessment.
The Course portion of the program includes:
The Exam portion of the program includes:
ASSESSMENT AREAS:
PREREQUISITES
General Requirements
Training Level Requirements
Technical & Movement Requirements
Resume Requirements: Applicants are required to document the below requirements in the resume template provided by the AMGA during the application process. The same climb may be used to fulfill multiple requirements
Program Type | Code | Location | State | Dates | Tuition | Status | Apply |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rock Guide Course | R4 RGC 23 | Gunks | New York | 4/4/23 - 4/13/23 | $3400.00 | Waitlist | Waitlist |
Rock Guide Course | R7 RGC 23 | Smith Rock | Oregon | 5/2/23 - 5/11/23 | $3400.00 | Waitlist | Waitlist |
Rock Guide Course | R8* RGC 23 | Smith Rock | Oregon | 5/16/23 - 5/23/23 | $4250.00 | Waitlist | Waitlist |
Rock Guide Course | R9 RGC 23 | Boulder | Colorado | 5/30/23 - 6/8/23 | $3400.00 | Waitlist | Waitlist |
Rock Guide Course | R10* RGC 23 | Boulder | Colorado | 6/13/23 - 6/20/23 | $4250.00 | Open | Apply |
Rock Guide Course | R11 RGC 23 | North Conway | New Hampshire | 9/5/23 - 9/14/23 | $3400.00 | Open | Apply |
Rock Guide Course | R14* RGC 23 | Boulder | Colorado | 9/19/23 - 9/26/23 | $4250.00 | Open | Apply |
Rock Guide Course | R19 RGC 23 | Seneca Rocks | West Virginia | 10/3/23 - 10/12/23 | $3400.00 | Open | Apply |
Rock Guide Course | R21 RGC 23 | Smith Rock | Oregon | 10/10/23 - 10/19/23 | $3400.00 | Open | Apply |
Rock Guide Course | R22 RGC 23 | Boulder | Colorado | 10/10/23 - 10/19/23 | $3400.00 | Open | Apply |
Rock Guide Course | R25* RGC 23 | Red Rock NCA | Nevada | 11/1/23 - 11/8/23 | $4250.00 | Open | Apply |
Rock Guide Course | R27 RGC 23 | Joshua Tree | California | 11/7/23 - 11/16/23 | $3400.00 | Open | Apply |
Rock Guide Course | R28 *Veterans* RGC 23 | Leavenworth | Washington | 9/19/23 - 9/28/23 | $3400.00 | Open | Apply |
Rock Guide Course | R32 RGC 23 | Smith Rock | Oregon | 5/31/23 - 6/9/23 | $3400.00 | Waitlist | Waitlist |
Rock Guide Course | R33 RGC 23 | Boulder | Colorado | 6/22/23 - 7/1/23 | $3400.00 | Waitlist | Waitlist |
Rock Guide Course | R34 *BIPOC* RGG 23 | Boulder | Colorado | 9/23/23 - 9/30/23 | $4250.00 | Open | Apply |
Rock Guide Course | R35 *WMNS* RGC 23 | Boulder | Colorado | 10/11/23 - 10/18/23 | $4250.00 | Open | Apply |
Multi-Pitch Instructor Course/Exam | R15 MPI 23 | North Conway | New Hampshire | 9/19/23 - 9/26/23 | $4250.00 | Open | Apply |
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, equipment, or any other associated program costs unless otherwise noted. This is a 3:1 student to Instructor ratio program.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, equipment, or any other associated program costs unless otherwise noted. This is a 3:1 student to Instructor ratio program.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, equipment, or any other associated program costs unless otherwise noted. This is a 2:1 student to Instructor ratio program.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, equipment, or any other associated program costs unless otherwise noted. This is a 3:1 student to Instructor ratio program.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, equipment, or any other associated program costs unless otherwise noted. This is a 2:1 student to Instructor ratio program.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 9, 2023.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, equipment, or any other associated program costs unless otherwise noted. This is a 3:1 student to Instructor ratio program.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 3, 2023.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, equipment, or any other associated program costs unless otherwise noted. This is a 2:1 student to Instructor ratio program.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 3, 2023.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, equipment, or any other associated program costs unless otherwise noted. This is a 3:1 student to Instructor ratio program.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 3, 2023.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, equipment, or any other associated program costs unless otherwise noted. This is a 3:1 student to Instructor ratio program.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 3, 2023.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, equipment, or any other associated program costs unless otherwise noted. This is a 3:1 student to Instructor ratio program.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 3, 2023.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, equipment, or any other associated program costs unless otherwise noted. This is a 2:1 student to Instructor ratio program.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 3, 2023.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, equipment, or any other associated program costs unless otherwise noted. This is a 3:1 student to Instructor ratio program.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 3, 2023.
This program is only open to VETERANS of the US Military who wish to use their GI Bill funds to pay for the course. This course is run through the American Alpine Institute (an AMGA accredited business), who are accredited and approved to accept GI Bill funding.
In order to participate on this Alpine Guide Course, you must:
1) Be a veteran of the US Military
2) Apply to the program, pay the non-refundable $65.00 application fee, and submit all of the required application materials (resume, WFR/CPR, and AMGA approved avalanche training certs) to show that you meet the prerequisites for the AGC
3) Email Jesse Littleton ([email protected]) proof of veteran status
4) Once your materials have been reviewed, you will be eligible to become enrolled in the course if space is available (like all AMGA programs, entrance is competitive and we may receive more applications than we have spaces available - meeting the prerequisites is not a guarantee of enrollment, please review the process for application review here.
5) If accepted into the program, you will be sent a document describing how to complete the enrollment process and use your VA benefits to pay for the program. You cannot be officially enrolled until you have completed the VA Benefits Survey and Enrollment Agreement through the American Alpine Institute.
If you have any questions about this course, the application review/enrollment process, how to use your VA benefits, or anything else related to this program, please contact Jesse Littleton ([email protected]).
Through our reflection on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) has identified affinity based access as a key area of growth. Affinity programs are designed to create space for AMGA members from underrepresented groups within guiding, instructing, climbing, and skiing/snowboarding. We recognize the need to serve larger communities and we are collaborating with partners that share this vision. With the generous support of AMGA partner, Black Diamond, we have created an opportunity to take the next step in the Rock Guide track, with an Affinity BIPOC Rock Guide Course that will serve historically underrepresented communities within the AMGA.
This course is designed for anyone who identifies as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and would like to continue their education as a rock guide. Tuition assistance is given in the form of a full scholarship to all those accepted into the program.
Please note there are two parts to the application process. You must complete both the RGC Resume and the Scholarship Essay Application. For more information, go to: https://amga.com/programs/affinity-programs/.
Completed applications are due by March 31, 2023. This program will be taught by Joshua Jarrin and Joe Thompson.
Over the last few years, the American Mountain Guides Association has reflected on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within our association, recognizing areas of growth and creating an action plan. One of our key focuses is creating accessibility to our courses through various initiatives like the women’s Single Pitch Instructor Course and women’s Rock Guide Course. We recognize the need to serve larger communities and have worked to secure partners that share this vision. With the support of The North Face, we have launched the next steps to the Rock Guide track, with a Rock Guide Course that will serve historically underrepresented communities within the American Mountain Guides Association.
This course is designed for anyone who identifies as a woman and would like to continue their education as a rock guide. Tuition assistance is given in the form of a scholarship to all those accepted into the program. We would like to support underrepresented communities to pursue guide training and education at the AMGA. Please note there are two parts to the application process. For more information, go to: https://amga.com/programs/affinity-programs/
Completed applications are due by March 31, 2023; Exact dates may shift slightly.
Program tuition does not include food, lodging, transportation, equipment, or any other associated program costs unless otherwise noted. This is a 2:1 student to Instructor ratio program.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 3, 2023.
Application and Notification Deadlines
Program Dates | Application Deadline | Notification Deadline |
---|---|---|
SOL Mountain Lodge SGC 2022 | June 22, 2022 | July 14, 2022 |
Programs with start dates of January 1 - May 29, 2023 | September 7, 2022 | October 5, 2022 |
Programs with start dates of May 30 - June 30, 2023 | January 9, 2023 | February 8, 2023 |
Programs with start dates of July 1 - November 30, 2023 | April 3, 2023 | May 3, 2023 |