AMGA & Professional Development

Rock Instructor Course

This ten-day course is designed for aspiring professional rock instructors/guides with a strong climbing background or for advanced climbers seeking the most current modern anchoring and multi-pitch techniques in the industry. The AMGA Rock Instructor Course (RIC) places strong emphasis on maximizing client rewards while effectively managing risks on routes up to grade III in length and 5.10a in difficultly. The RIC is the first course for IFMGA track guides and is the requisite course before going on to the AMGA Rock Guide Course or Alpine Guide Course.

TO ENROLL we need a climbing resume outlining the following prerequisites:

• Are a current Associate Member of the AMGA
• Have at least five years of rock climbing experience
• Led at least 50 climbs, showing each of the following:
1. That you have led or shared leads on at least 50 different traditional, multi-pitch routes, including at least 5 routes Grade III or longer and at least 4 routes Grade IV or longer; That you have led or shared leads on at least 50 different traditional, multi-pitch routes, including at least 5 routes Grade III or longer and at least 4 routes Grade IV or longer
2. That you have led at least 10 traditional routes rated 5.10a or harder
• Can safely and comfortably lead crack and face climbs rated 5.10a at the time of the course
• Are familiar with basic knots, including: figure-8, bowline, clove hitch, munter hitch, mule-hitch, prusik, double fisherman’s and klemheist
• Are confident with placing traditional protection including: hexes, stoppers, tri-cams, and SLCDs
• Are comfortable using mechanical (more than two types of belay devices including auto locking devices) and non-mechanical (hip belay) belay methods
• Are familiar with the use of plate type devices on multi-pitch rappels
• Provide copy of current basic first aid certification or better
• Are at least 18 years of age