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AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Course
The Single Pitch Instructor Course (SPI) from the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) certification process is the first step in becoming a guide/instructor for teaching rock climbing on single pitch terrain. Have you wanted to teach rock climbing? Would you like to learn how in an all Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color space (BIPoC)?
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This course is designed to enable instructors to “proficiently 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 (CoC will lend gear for the course but if you plan on teaching you will eventually need your own), regularly climb and have at least 12 months of outdoor rock climbing experience.
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The SPI Course is not a “climbing” course. It is an instructor training course for active, proficient rock climbers and for current climbing instructors who wish to gain SPI certification. 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.
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This particular course is an all BIPoC space to support the mission of Climbers of Color to build and support leaders of color in outdoor rock climbing. The guides/instructors and participants will all be BIPoC.
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The SPI Program includes a three day (27 hour) training course and separate two day (16 hour) assessment. The assessment is a separate form and process altogether.
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Thank you to our sponsor for this course, The North Face.
Application
Location
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Mt. Erie, WA (camping included with tuition)
Prerequisites
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You identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or Person of Color
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You are at least 18 years old.
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You are a member of the American Mountain Guides Association at the time of the course. (If you're not a member already, you can sign up at amga.com after being accepted.)
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You have a genuine interest in rock climbing and instructing novices on single pitch crags.
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You have at least 12 months of prior climbing experience.
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You are an active climber with traditional lead climbing experience, and you have lead a minimum of 15 traditional pitches.
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You are able to comfortably set-up climbs, to belay, to rappel without guidance and can demonstrate familiarity with anchoring principals, natural anchors and artificial anchors (wires, hexes, passive and active cams). These skills may be assessed at the start of your course.
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You are capable of comfortably climbing 5.8 while on top-rope.
Dates
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August 2th, 3th, and 4th 8am-5pm, daily
Tuition
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Sliding fee scale $425-650 with 50% and 100% scholarships available
Syllabus & Gear List