AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Course

4.8 (4)

Group Size

6 people per guide

Duration

3 days

As an American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA), this course is for aspiring climbing guides. The Single Pitch Instructor, SPI, program is the quintessential course to enter guiding in the United States.

What to bring:

Climbing gear:

• UIAA/CE approved Climbing Helmet
• UIAA/CE approved Climbing Harness with belay loop
• Climbing shoes or approach shoes in which the candidate can climb up to 5.7
• Standard “lead climbing rack” such as, stoppers/nuts, SLCD's, tri-cams, etc.
• Assorted 24” and 48” runners
• 10 or more non-locking carabiners
• 3 or more locking “HMS/Pearbiners”
• 6 or more locking carabiners, (the more, the better)
• Tube-style belay/rappel device, such as the Petzl Reverso
• Releasable assisted braking device, such as the Petzl GriGri
• 2 Prusik loops
• 2 cordelettes (5m of 7mm Nylon Accessory Cord)
• One 60m-70m "single" dynamic rope (9.5-10.5mm) suitable for leading and top roping
• One static or “semi static” rope 9-11mm, 30m+, for setting up anchors and fixed lines

Clothing:

• Pants are better than shorts for course. 
• Insulation layer (top), an extra layer for cool mornings or adverse weather
• Rain jacket
• Headwear: Ball Cap or Visor, sun protection for your face
• Sunglasses 
• Handwear: Belay glove (optional)

Other gear:

• ~35L Backpack, make sure your gear fits in pack prior to exam day
• (2) 1L water bottles leak-proof bottle like Nalgene works best. Bladders ok but less appealing.
• Sunscreen, 30SPF minimum
• Lipscreen
• Cellphone
• Snacks, about 1500 calories for the day. Sandwich, candy bars, and trail mix work well, bring what tastes good to you