Alpine Endeavors

Single Pitch Instructor Course & Assessments

AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Course
The SPI has replaced the Top Rope Site Management Course offered up to 12/31/07 by the AMGA. The course is similiar to the TRSMC with the inclusion of leading single pitch routes up to grade 5.6.

The SPI is a 5-day program that we offer with the AMGA. It is comprised of a three-day (27 hour) training course and separate two day (18 hour) assessment. This course will train you in the proper ways of setting up and instructing a group while working in single pitch terrain (including top-roping and leading single pitch routes). It provides a high level of the many needed skills and techniques which allow you to handle the situation with confidence and skill. This course is for those who work as instructors or guides at Guide Services, Climbing Gyms, Outing groups, Camps, Schools/Colleges, etc. as climbing instructors now, or for climbers who are interested gaining the proper international skills to become one. After successfully completing the course, it is suggested you take some time to practice the skills (everyone gets a course evaluation to help you prepare for the assessment) and gain more experience on the rock. Then, when you feel ready, you take the 2-day assessment. After successfully demonstrating that you are able to provide a high level of knowledge and consistency with the skills, you will receive a certification from the American Mountain Guides Association (valid for three years) and a one-year associate membership to the organization.

This course can run privately or in a group. You can also visit http://www.amga.com/programs/rock_SPI.php for more specific details. The rates for the SPI are specialty rates and are not listed on out Rates & Reservations page. For more information please contact us.

SPI Course Details:
The SPI will be able to proficiently facilitate and instruct the sport of rock climbing in a single pitch setting. Single Pitch Instructors supervise and teach climbing at any single pitch cliff, working at the base or from the top. They can work at sites where the anchors are accessed by non technical terrain and also by leading. For the purpose of the SPI Program a single pitch climb is one which:
• Is climbed without intermediate belays
• Presents no difficulties on approach or retreat, such as route finding,   scrambling or navigating

The SPI Course is not a ‘climbing’ course, it is an instructor training course for current, proficient and active rock climbers and for climbing instructors who currently teach rock climbing that wish to gain the SPI Certification.
The SPI is the first stage of the AMGA’s Rock Discipline guide training and certification program and will significantly help candidates that wish to work towards the next stage in the program, the AMGA Rock Instructor Course. The course teaches many instructor specific topics such as professionalism, teaching techniques, risk management, group site organization, climbing site conservation/LNT and assistance/rescue skills.

SPI Course Candidate Pre-Requisites
You meet the pre-requisites for the SPI course if you:
1. Have a genuine interest in rock climbing and instructing novices on single pitch crags.
2. Are at least 18 years old at the time of the course.
3. Have at least 12 months prior climbing experience.
4. Are an active climber with traditional lead climbing experience (leader placing pro).
5. Have trad lead climbed a minimum of 15 rock climbing routes (any grade).
6. Are capable of comfortably climbing 5.8 while on a top rope.
The above pre-requisites are absolute minimums and most candidates have way in excess of the above.
Without having at least this amount experience you are unlikely to play a constructive part on the course or be able to make best use of the training. If you are unsure of your skill levels we suggest hiring an AMGA/IFMGA certified guide to evaluate and enhance your skills and experience prior to SPI Program enrollment.

AMGA SPI Course Dates

April 2008
•Course April 2,3,4,2008 - Shawangunks, NY - FULL
Offered Thru Alpine Endeavors
info@alpineendeavors.com, 845-658-3094, 877-GUNKS-NY

• Course April 25,26,27,2008 - Adirondacks NY - FULL
Offered thru Adirondack Community College Adventure Sports Program
ACC contact: Rick Dawson, dawsonr@sunyacc.edu; (518)743-2250

May 2008

• Course May 19,20,21, 2008 - Shawangunks, NY - one space left
Offered Thru Alpine Endeavors
info@alpineendeavors.com, 845-658-3094, 877-GUNKS-NY

June 2008

• Course June 25,26,27, 2008 - Shawangunks, NY
Offered Thru Alpine Endeavors
info@alpineendeavors.com, 845-658-3094, 877-GUNKS-NY

August 2008

• Course August 27, 28, 29, 2008 - Shawangunks, NY
Offered Thru Alpine Endeavors
info@alpineendeavors.com, 845-658-3094, 877-GUNKS-NY

October 2008

• Course October 6, 7, 8, 2008 - Adirondacks, NY
Offered Thru Alpine Endeavors
info@alpineendeavors.com, 845-658-3094, 877-GUNKS-NY

 

AMGA SPI Refresher Courses

If you are a current Top Rope Site Manager and or a recent graduate from an SPI course, we offer a one day refresher to help answer any questions you have and get your ready for the assessment. We can offer these at any time, and have refreshers scheduled for:

• Refresher June 4, 2008- Shawangunks, NY - Offered Thru Alpine Endeavors
info@alpineendeavors.com, 845-658-3094, 877-GUNKS-NY

• Refresher June 25, 2008- Shawangunks, NY - Offered Thru Alpine Endeavors
info@alpineendeavors.com, 845-658-3094, 877-GUNKS-NY

• Refresher September 3, 2008- Shawangunks, NY - Offered Thru Alpine Endeavors, info@alpineendeavors.com, 845-658-3094, 877-GUNKS-NY

• Refresher October 26, 2008- Shawangunks, NY - Offered Thru Alpine Endeavors, info@alpineendeavors.com, 845-658-3094, 877-GUNKS-NY

 

AMGA SPI Assessments
The SPI Assessment is two days in length (minimum of 16 hours assessment time) and will take place at a single pitch climbing area where there are a selection traditional lead routes in the 5.6 range and top roping routes in the 5.8 range. The assessment will examine all aspects of institutional single pitch climbing that the Single Pitch Instructor may encounter. Day one will look at climbing movement and all aspects of technical systems from anchoring to assistance skills and general climbing competence. On day two the examiner may arrange for volunteer novice clients (non-paying) for the candidates to instruct in a group setting. This is not required but is a great benefit to the assessment process as the examiner can see candidates interact with real novice climbers and the examinees do not have to ‘pretend’ to teach novice climbers who are actually other examines on the assessment.

The examiners job is to bring out the best in the candidate, and give the candidate a comfortable and stress-free assessment. The candidate must show the examiner they have the technical and instructional skills to pass the AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Assessment. The SPI Assessment is broken down into four distinct evaluation sessions; climbing movement, technical skills, teaching ability and group management skills and candidate are evaluated by the AMGA marking system

SPI Assessment Candidate Pre-Requisites
The SPI Assessment can be taken directly following the SPI Course if the candidate successfully completed the course and meets the Assessment pre-requisites. However, it is highly recommended that the SPI Course graduate takes time practicing and consolidating the skills learned on the course before assessment (6-12 months).
You meet the SPI Assessment Pre-requisites if:
1. You have successfully completed an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Course or AMGA Top Rope Site Manager Course.
2. You have trad lead climbed a minimum of 40 rock climbing routes. A large number of these should be at 5.6 grade (or higher) and hopefully at various locations and on a variety of rock types.
3. You are capable of comfortably lead climbing any 5.6 traditional routes (leader placing protection). You will demonstrate your leading ability on a variety of routes on the assessment.
4. You are capable of comfortably climbing 5.8 while on a top rope.

Gaining SPI Certification
To gain SPI Certification candidates must:
1. Successfully pass the SPI Assessment
2. Hold current AMGA Membership at Associate level or higher
Hold current First Aid Certification (see SPI Certification First Aid Requirements)

April 2008

• Exam April 17,18 - Shawangunks, NY
Offered Thru Alpine Endeavors
info@alpineendeavors.com, 845-658-3094, 877-GUNKS-NY

May 2008
• Exam May 15-16, 2008 - Adirondacks NY
Offered thru Adirondack Community College Adventure Sports Program
ACC contact: Rick Dawson, dawsonr@sunyacc.edu; (518)743-2250

June 2008

• Exam June 5,6 - Shawangunks, NY - Offered Thru Alpine Endeavors
info@alpineendeavors.com, 845-658-3094, 877-GUNKS-NY

• Exam June 26, June 27- Shawangunks, NY - Offered Thru Alpine Endeavors
info@alpineendeavors.com, 845-658-3094, 877-GUNKS-NY

September 2008

• Exam September 4-5 - Shawangunks, NY - Offered Thru Alpine Endeavors
info@alpineendeavors.com, 845-658-3094, 877-GUNKS-NY

October 2008

• Exam October 27-28- Shawangunks, NY - Offered Thru Alpine Endeavors
info@alpineendeavors.com, 845-658-3094, 877-GUNKS-NY

 

We are looking for six people to participate in day of rock climbing in the Gunks, free of charge* for one of the final assesment days:
April 18, May 17, or June 6.

Cimb for free with a guide for a day!

We are looking for six people to participate in day of rock climbing in the Gunks, free of charge* for one of the final assesment days: April 18, May 17, or June 6.

The day will consist of beginner to low-intermediate climbing with a guide candidate on routes from 5.2 to 5.7 under the supervision of an AMGA Certified Rock Instructor and Rock Guide.

The purpose of the day is to evaluate AMGA SPI guide candidates during their final assessment of the AMGA Single Pitch Instructors Certification. All guide candidates up to this point have successfully completed an AMGA Single Pitch training Course (three days of training) and have successfully completed a one day assessment of their technical and rescue skills.

The day is to provide each candidate a realistic opportunity to teach basic climbing skills - knots, belaying, and climbing techniques to beginners as well as to asses their ability to clearly communicate the skills, manage the group, and facilitate the days progress to a group of actual beginner climbers.

For more information on the AMGA Single Pitch Instructors Course, please visit:
http://www.amga.com/programs/SPI.php

*day passes are not included. They are required and are the responsibility of each participant.