Ascent Alpine Guide Course – Sponsored by Eddie Bauer

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We are excited to offer the next step of the Alpine Guide track after three years of offering the Alpine Skills Course. The Alpine Guide Course (AGC) is designed to take a competent alpine climber and develop the fundamental skills they need to guide in a non-glaciated alpine environment. It provides training for aspiring guides and experienced guides who work in a wide range of alpine environments including alpine rock, mixed terrain, alpine ice, and waterfall ice. The AGC emphasizes a hands-on approach to the mechanics of guiding on alpine terrain.

  • Dates: 2023 TBA (2022 June 23rd – July 1st Ascent Alpine Guide Course)
  • Location: 2023 TBA (2022 Estes Park/Boulder, CO)

The application is due 2023 TBA (2022 February 28th) 

Ready to Apply? There are two main parts to this process:

  1. Apply for the Ascent Alpine Guide Course via our standard application process in your My AMGA Account (How to Apply to an AMGA Program )
  2. Complete the additional essay questions in the Scholarship Application Form

*please note that you can apply for multiple programs via the scholarship application form, you will have an option to check off multiple programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for this course?

This course is for anyone who does not fall into a dominant group at the AMGA. Historically women, people of color, LGBTQ2IA+, and people with various underrepresented identities have faced barriers to entering careers as guides and instructors. We would like to support underrepresented communities to pursue guide training and education at the AMGA. In addition, check all prerequisites for Alpine Guide Course:

The Alpine Guide Course (AGC) is designed to take a competent alpine climber and develop the fundamental skills they need to guide in a non-glaciated alpine environment. It provides training for aspiring guides and experienced guides who work in a wide range of alpine environments including alpine rock, mixed terrain, alpine ice, and waterfall ice. The AGC emphasizes a hands-on approach to the mechanics of guiding on alpine terrain.

Prerequisites:

  • Current AMGA member
  • Current CPR Certification
  • Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Certification or higher that meets the Minimum Guidelines and Scope of Practice for a WFR
  • Successful completion of a  Level I Avalanche Training and Avalanche Rescue Course, or AMGA approved Level II
  • For details on the updated avalanche education framework introduced in the 2017/18 season, please click here.
  • Successful completion of the Rock Guide Course or the Alpine Skills Course (for non-IFMGA track guides)
  • Confidence leading 5.8 in rock shoes and 5.6 in mountain boots (with or without crampons), at the time of the course
  • Confidence leading AI/WI 3, at the time of the course
  • Confidence leading moderate mixed terrain in the alpine environment, at the time of the course
  • Confidence with French Technique on firm 40 degree snow, at the time of the course
  • Familiar with basic knots, including: figure 8, bowline, clove hitch, munter hitch, mule hitch, prusik, flat overhand, double fisherman’s and klemheist
  • Familiar with placing ice, snow, and rock protection and anchor construction
  • Competence with map and compass
  • Familiar with LNT practices
  • Documentation of lead or shared lead on 25 different alpine routes in at least 2 different areas (e.g., Cascades and Alaska). Of these 25 routes,10 are classic alpine routes rated 5.6 or harder and Grade III or longer, 5 include snow, ice or mixed climbing, 5 are alpine climbs rated 5.6 or harder that were climbed in mixed conditions with boots and crampons, 5 are ice routes rated WI 3 or harder,

Format:
The AGC includes indoor and outdoor classroom time, practice sessions, and climbing on a variety of rock, snow, and mixed routes. Recreational climbing skills and judgment are screened as part of the daily activities. The course is designed to introduce some of the recommended methods common to alpine guiding through sessions and practical application.

What happens if I don’t get in to the Ascent Alpine Guide Course?

If you don’t get into this AGC, email our Guide Program Manager at [email protected]. We can transfer your registration to an AGC within the program year, but please note that you wouldn’t be eligible for a scholarship as they will have been awarded.

If accepted into the program, when does the tuition fee need to be paid?

A deposit of $500 is due within two weeks of being offered enrollment to the program. The remaining tuition balance is due no later than 10 weeks prior to the start of the course. If you need to discuss payment plans, please contact the mountain guide office. 

What will I need to do in order to receive the scholarship?

First you need to apply for the scholarship. Once you are accepted and awarded the scholarship, you will receive a contract that outlines the requirements due within four weeks of completing your course. The requirements can include but are not limited to: photos, blog content, video, social media, etc. You will receive your scholarship reimbursement as long as you attend the program and submit your content. 

Does the AMGA have any other scholarships in case I can’t apply for this program?

Every year we have scholarships available for Mountain Guide Programs. Scholarships are normally open in May, awarded in August, and available for the following year. To see the list of scholarships and how to apply please visit: https://amga.com/scholarships/