BOULDER & GOLDEN, COLORADO

amga single pitch instructor course

April - October

3- Days

Intermediate

$695

Upcoming COURSES

2027 Courses Live!

EXPLORE OUR AMGA PROGRAMMING

DISCOVER

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Black and white diagram showing a chain of people connecting at the arms, with the middle section labeled 'How the internet works', and a blue arrow pointing downward.

ITINERARY AND PREP

OVERVIEW

WHATS INCLUDED

GALLERY

PRICING DETAILS

FAQ’s

| OVERVIEW |

Smile exceeds the Single Pitch Instructor course ratio, set by the AMGA, by offering courses at a four-to-one ratio and this matters— We deeply care about your growth and having the ability for more feedback from your provider and more hands-on practice over three days is one way we show up for new instructors.

Our provider team is made up of career certified guides, business owners, and educators, which gives candidates unique access to deep perspectives within the industry and allows for our programs to educate and also inspire.

Jeffrey Mascaro, Heidi Wirtz, and Brent Smith are your providers.

Smile's AMGA Single Pitch Instructor course is designed to springboard your ability to facilitate and instruct the sport of rock climbing in a fun and educational setting.

| GALLERY |

| ITINERARY AND PREP |

Pre-Trip call

Candidates and providers will connect via a video call to meet, discuss gear selection for the course, talk outlines of each day, and answer any lingering questions.

DAY 1

Topics are broken down into teaching sessions and may be taught in a slightly different order.

8:00 am- 5:00 pm

  1. SPI and AMGA Program Overview Session

  2. Professionalism

  3. Equipment Session

  4. Knots and Hitches

  5. Belaying

  6. Protection and Anchoring

  7. Teaching Skills

DAY 2

Day 2 – 8:00 am- 5:00 pm

  1. Selecting the Climbing Site

  2. Site Organization and Group Management

  3. Base-Managed Sites

  4. Assistance Skills – Base-Managed Sites

  5. Programming and Risk Management

DAY 3

Day 3 – 8:00 am- 5:00 pm

  1. Instructor Demo Lead Climb ‘

  2. Top-Managed Sites

  3. Lowering

  4. Assistance Skills: Top-Managed Sites

  5. Rappelling

  6. Climbing Movement

  7. SPI Assessment Overview Debriefs

| Download Our EQUIPMENT LIST |

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Technical Experience

The AMGA SPI course requires proficiency in many instructor-specific topics such as professionalism, teaching techniques, risk management, group site organization, climbing site conservation/LNT, and assistance/rescue skills. It is expected that candidates come prepared to make the shift from recreational climber to professional instructor.

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Fitness

The AMGA SPI course consists of three, nine-hour days in the field with minimal breaks. As an instructor, you are expected to be physically fit for the day of programming and mentally ready to engage with the group of candidates in various weather conditions and at various crag locations.

TOP MANAGED SYSTEMS DAY TWO

PROVIDER, BRENT SMITH

| WHATS INCLUDED |

  • Dynamic and static ropes
  • AMGA certified guides/ SPI providers
  • Personal instructor gear: lockers, belay device, helmets, cams, etc
  • Snacks/food
  • Transportation to the venue

ANCHOR BUILDING DAY ONE

MINI FRICTION HITCH LESSON

| PRICING DETAILS |

BOULDER & GOLDEN, COLORADO

AMGA single pitch instructor course

April- October

3- Days

Intermediate

$695 Per Guest

Upcoming TripS

2027 Courses Live!

| QUESTIONS |

AMGA Single pitch instructor course.

  • Smile focuses on small groups and ratios that meet/exceed the professional standards of mountain guiding. This program has a 4:1 ratio, with up to eight candidates and two providers.

  • Prerequisites from the AMGA Website:

    +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).

    +You are capable of comfortably climbing 5.8 while on a top rope.

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

  • As an AMGA SPI course candidate, you should come prepared with the gear you will need to work in the single-pitch environment of your program.

    Although this is a “course”, these programs are designed for climbing instructors and imply you have most of your gear. All gear is outlined in the AMGA Candidate Handbook.

    Dynamic and static ropes can be provided with advanced notice if you are flying for the course and can not accommodate these items in your luggage.

  • Please click here to review our domestic cancellation policy.

  • We will base in Boulder, Colorado for the first two days of the course and then Golden, Colorado on day three. There’s National Forest land about four miles up Boulder Canyon Rd (where days one and two will be held), where you can pull off car camp.

    It is hard to find camping in the Colorado Front Range. We recommend connecting with other candidates for AirBnB options in town to lower costs.

  • Please email:

    jeff@smilemountainguides.com for more information about this course or any AMGA SPI program questions.