AMGA Rock Instructor Course

The Rock Instructor Course is the 1st step in the Rock Guide education and certification process and is designed for aspiring guides who have a strong rock climbing background and for instructors who are interested in improving their skills and increasing knowledge. The Rock Instructor Course places strong emphasis on maximizing client rewards while effectively managing risks. The Rock Instructor Course is a prerequisite to taking the Rock Guide Course and the Alpine Guide Course.

Crested Butte Mountain Guides permitted operating area is a perfect venue for this level guides course. The easy access and high quality climbing of Taylor Canyon, a short drive from the town of Crested Butte, afford lots of time on the rock to foster a great learning environment with most routes 1-3 pitches in length. From the easily accessible granite crags of Taylor Canyon the course will then move for a few days to the wild and stunning walls of the remote and challenging Black Canyon of the Gunnison. While most climbing here extends more to the AMGA Rock Guides Course level, Crested Butte Mountain Guides intimate working knowledge of this place allows us to pick and choose from a few exceptional routes at the RIC curriculum level, and experience one of the world's truly stunning rockclimbing venues.

Client orientation and preparation
Equipment and protection selection
Time and pace management
Alternate descending techniques
Improvised non-mechanical ascending
Anchor construction
Choosing appropriate belay methods and stances
Multi-pitch station management
Rappelling and lowering with clients
Multiple client guiding
Short roping and short pitching techniques
Belay escapes
Performing improvised ascending methods
Raising systems for guiding
Hazard recognition and risk management
Guide’s notebook
Improvised harnesses
Guide’s pack
Client care
Emergency procedures
Pedagogy
Leave No Trace practices and techniques
Review of Advanced Rock Guide Course and Aspirant Exam assessment