Description

The AMGA Single Pitch Instructor course is the industry standard for individuals looking to instruct rock climbing in a single pitch setting. Many recreational climbers also take this course to bolster their understanding of technical skills, anchoring, and terrain recognition.

This three day program covers topics needed to instruct single pitch rock climbing and was developed to fit perfectly inside the AMGA Rock Program. Assistance skills, instructional techniques, and risk management are just a few of the topics covered.

The Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) Program teaches climbing instructors to proficiently facilitate and instruct the sport of rock climbing in a single pitch setting and is the only internationally recognized single pitch climbing instructor certification program in the United States.

Benefits:

  • It significantly improves the instructor’s skill set and integrates into the AMGA Rock Guide Course and Multi-Pitch Instructor certification
  • The program is for current, active rock climbers who have a real desire to teach rock climbing to novices in a single pitch setting
  • The SPI Course is a 27-hour training course that normally runs as three consecutive nine-hour days or day classes with evening sessions

 

Prerequisites:

  • A genuine interest in rock climbing and instructing novices on single pitch crags
  • At least 18 years old at the time of the course
  • At least 12 months prior climbing experience
  • An active climber with traditional lead climbing experience (leader placing pro)
  • Have trad lead climbed a minimum of 15 graded rock climbing pitches (any grade)
  • Are capable of comfortably climbing 5.8 while on a top rope
  • Must be an active member of the AMGA

The above prerequisites are absolute minimums. Without having at least this amount experience you are unlikely to make best use of the training.

Dates/Price
Course Dates Price Location Course Length Difficulty Rating
Course DatesApril 5 - 7, 2024 Price$650 LocationGolden & Boulder, CO Course Length8:00am to 4:00pm Difficulty Rating5/10
Course DatesMay 17 - 19, 2024 Price$650 LocationGolden & Boulder, CO Course Length8:00am to 4:00pm Difficulty Rating5/10
Course DatesJune 21 - 23, 2024 Price$650 LocationGolden & Boulder, CO Course Length8:00am to 4:00pm Difficulty Rating5/10
Course DatesJuly 12 - 14, 2024 Price$650 LocationGolden & Boulder, CO Course Length8:00am to 4:00pm Difficulty Rating5/10
Course DatesAugust 16 - 18, 2024 Price$650 LocationGolden & Boulder, CO Course Length8:00am to 4:00pm Difficulty Rating5/10
Course DatesSeptember 13 - 15, 2024 Price$650 LocationGolden & Boulder, CO Course Length8:00am to 4:00pm Difficulty Rating5/10
Course DatesOctober 18 - 20, 2024 Price$650 LocationGolden & Boulder, CO Course Length8:00am to 4:00pm Difficulty Rating5/10
Highlights

Sample Itinerary

The following three day itinerary outlined is the standard progression of our SPI Courses.

Day 1

  • Session 1: SPI and AMGA 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: Review Sessions
  • Final Individual and Group Debriefs
Price Includes

Includes:

  • AMGA Certified Guide and SPI Program Provider


Excludes:

  • Transportation. You will be responsible for your own transportation to and from a designated meeting area
  • Personal items such as food, clothing, backpack, etc.
  • Climbing equipment
  • Entrance fees and parking fees (where necessary)
Topics Covered
  • SPI and AMGA Program Overview​
  • Professionalism
  • Equipment
  • Knots and Hitches
  • Belaying
  • Protection and Anchoring
  • Teaching Skills
  • Selecting the Climbing Site
  • Site Organization and Group Management
  • Base Managed Sites
  • Assistance Skills – Base Managed Sites
  • Programming and Risk Management
  • Instructor Demo – Lead Climbing
  • Top Managed Sites
  • Lowering
  • Assistance Skills – Top Managed Sites
  • Rappelling
  • Climbing Movement
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