AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Course

• Learn professionalism as a climbing instructor.
• Learn teaching techniques for climbers.
• Develop risk management techniques in a single pitch environment.
• Learn group site organization.
• Learn Climbing site conservation/LNT and assistance/rescue skills.
• Prepare for future training in the AMGA Rock Guide track.

• Duration: 3 Days
  8:00am-5:00pm
• Number on Course:
  Maximum of 6:1 client to instructor ratio
• Cost: $700

Day 1:
Session 1: SPI Course Orientation and Program Overview
Session 2: Professionalism
Session 3: Equipment
Session 4: Knots and Hitches
Session 5: Belaying
Session 6: Protection and Anchoring
Session 7: Teaching
End-of-Day Debriefs

Day 2:
Session 8: The Climbing Site
Session 9: Site Organization and Group Management
Session 10: Base-Managed Sites
Session 11: Assistance Skills: Base-Managed Sites
Session 12: Programming and Risk Management
End-of-Day Debriefs

Day 3:
Session 13: Instructor Demo Lead Climb
Session 14: Top-Managed Sites
Session 15: Lowering
Session 16: Assistance Skills: Top-Managed Sites
Session 17: Rappelling
Session 18: Climbing Movement
Session 19: Course Review and Exam Scenario Overview
Final Individual and Group Debriefs

COURSE

• You are a Professional Member of the AMGA.
• You have a genuine interest in rock climbing and instructing novices on single pitch crags.
• You are at least 18 years old at the time of the course.
• You have at least 12 months prior climbing experience.
• You are an active climber with traditional lead climbing experience (leader placing pro).
• You have led a minimum of 15 traditional rock climbing routes (any grade, a multi-pitch climb counts as one route).
• You are capable of comfortably climbing 5.8 while on a top rope.

The above pre-requisites are absolute minimums and most candidates exceed them. Without having at least this amount experience one is unlikely to play a constructive part on the course or be able to make best use of the training. If one is unsure of their skill levels we suggest hiring an AMGA/IFMGA certified guide to evaluate and enhance their skills and experience prior to enrollment in an SPI program.

2 Year SPI Course Sunset Time
Starting January 1, 2022, the SPI Course will have a two year sunset time. After two years, if the SPI Course graduate has not passed an SPI Exam, they will need to retake the SPI Course prior to pursuing the SPI Exam.

ASSESSMENT:
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 take time practicing and consolidating the skills learned on the course before assessment (6-12 months).

• You are a current member of the AMGA.
• You have successfully completed an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Course.
• You have led a minimum of 40 traditional routes, most of which should be 5.6 and on a variety of rock types (a multi-pitch climb counts as one route).
• You are able to comfortably lead 5.6 traditional routes, which means you place protection.
• You are able to comfortably climb 5.8 on top rope.
• The SPI Assessment can be taken directly following the SPI Course if the candidate successfully completed the course and meets the assessment prerequisites. However, it is highly recommended that the SPI Course candidate take time practicing and consolidating the skills learned on the course before assessment (6-12 months).
• You do not need First Aid training to take the course or assessment. However, it is your responsibility to hold appropriate medical certification for the location that you are working in.

GAINING SPI CERTIFICATION:
To gain SPI Certification, the candidate must:

• Successfully pass the SPI Assessment.
• Hold current AMGA Membership at Associate level or higher. Hold current First Aid Certification (see SPI Certification First Aid Requirements).
• 12 month SPI and CWI Certification Re-entry Period
  SPI’s will have 12 months from the date of certification expiration to pursue an exam for recertification. If they do not pass an exam for recertification within the 12 month re-entry period, they will be required to retake the entire SPI Course or CWI Program.

Single Pitch Rock Terrain

Single Pitch Rock Terrain: Single Pitch Rock terrain is Simple terrain up to Grade I, that is
climbed without intermediate belays. Approaches and descents to and from climbing
venues present no difficulties such as significant route finding, scrambling, or short-roping.
The routes should not exceed Grade I or be more than one pitch in length.

The SPI Program does not cover multipitch guiding. These skills are taught in the AMGA Multi-Pitch Instructor Course and Rock Guide Course. SPI’s that guide clients in multipitch terrain would be guiding outside of their terrain guidelines.

Payment & Cancellation Policy
This policy applies to ALL Edgeworks programming that occurs outdoors including, but not limited to, Outdoor Climbing School courses, Youth Programs, Summer Camps, and Guiding. Edgeworks has carefully crafted this policy to ensure fairness to both our clients and our guide staff. Our programs have significant pre-departure expenses, including permit fees, equipment preparation, staff training, and scheduling. Please contact us for clarification about this policy.

Payment Timeline
Full payment is due at the time of booking. Twenty-five percent (25%) of the total amount due is considered the trip deposit for cancellation and rescheduling purposes; this percentage is NON-REFUNDABLE.

Cancellation & Rescheduling Policy
When you cancel or reschedule:

• All requests must be made in writing and be received in our office within the deadlines stated herein.
• Trip deposits are not refundable.
• If you cancel less than 30 calendar days before the trip, no refund or credit will be issued.
• If you cancel more than 30 calendar days before the trip, the 25% trip deposit is non-refundable.
• If you reschedule more than 30 calendar days before the trip, the trip deposit will be credited to the new trip.
• If you reschedule between 15 & 30 calendar days before the start of the trip, there will be a 50% rescheduling fee. Only one reschedule will be allowed. The 25% trip deposit will be carried over to the new program.
• Reschedule requests less than 14 calendar days prior to the trip will be treated as cancellations and no refund will be issued.
• Non-payment of registration fees on the date they are due shall constitute your cancellation, and is subject to this cancellation policy.
• If you ‘no-show’ to a program or any portion of a program, no refund or credit will be issued or pro-rated.
• Once you leave the trailhead or program start area, no refund or credit will be issued for any reason including instances of inclement weather, environmental conditions, personal fitness, or injury.
• We will attempt to accommodate changes and cancellations when necessary, waiving certain fees when feasible. Reschedule requests due to documented injury or illness will receive the most accommodations.
• Any rescheduling must occur during the same calendar year. If it is not possible to reschedule during the calendar year, a non-refundable credit will be offered for future trips.

• Edgeworks reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a program at any time for any reason.
• A full refund will be issued.
• We will try to place you in the same program at a later date, if space is available.

Cost Includes:

• Group Equipment
• Instruction/Guiding

Cost Does Not Include:

• Guide Gratuities
• Transportation or Lodging
• Personal Climbing Equipment