Definitions  USMGA Mentoring Program  AMGA Schedule

The USMGA supports programs that promote education within the guiding industry and supports the apprentice guides who feel strongly enough about the quality of their guiding to participate in such programs. We encourage all climbers interested in guiding to attend a formal training course taught by the AMGA or a privatized course approved by the AMGA and taught by an endorsed guide. Aspirant guides are possible future USMGA endorsed guides and as such they represent the future of the American guiding profession. We encourage aspirant guides to contact us if there is anything the USMGA can do to help them in the pursuit of their chosen profession.

The association believes that any climber interested in becoming a guide can benefit from guide training and recommends that climbers participate in formal training before taking an exam. Historically candidates who have taken a course have done better on exams than those who have not.

We realize that guides aren't created overnight and it's not always possible in today's guiding environment to go through an exam before going out with clients. So, there has to be a period of time between the start of formal training and certification where guide candidates work and continue to develop their skills while preparing to meet the standard in an exam. The USMGA is developing programs and policies to assist aspirant guides during this crucial period of their training. The association looks forward to welcoming these guides into the association as USMGA endorsed guides once they successfully pass an AMGA field exam.

Definitions

Aspirant Guide
A climber who has begun the guide training process by completing at least one formal guide course taught by certified guides. Aspirant guides are encouraged to seek the supervision of a USMGA endorsed guide in the discipline for which they have been trained.

Formal Training
A climber has begun formal training when he or she has completed a guide course offered by an association recognized by the IFMGA and taught by certified guides. In this country this training is offered by the American Mountain Guides Association.

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USMGA Mentoring Program

The USMGA is 100 percent behind aspirant guides and their chosen profession. We are as committed as they are to making guiding a viable career. Our mentoring program is one of the services we have developed to specifically help aspirant guides.

For years a guide learned his or her trade through apprenticeship. It was the only way. Over a decade ago, a formal education and examination process was created by the AMGA. Apprenticeship fell by the wayside. The USMGA hopes to combine mentoring with the formal education process by recruiting individuals that are experts in the guiding disciplines and who have shown their ability to communicate and teach these skills. Mentoring from these experienced, professional guides combined with a formal course in guiding is an excellent way to improve guiding skills and prepare for an exam.

These mentors are available to you the aspirant, for advice on guiding techniques, career decisions, advice on employment opportunities, or just as a sounding board. All have taught courses for the AMGA and most have been examiners. They are located throughout the country and represent all the guiding disciplines. There may not be one just around the corner, but they are only a phone call away.

This program is ideally suited for the new, independent guide who doesn't have the backing of a large school or guiding service to assist in the critical learning period between the first formal guide's course and the exam. These mentors are here to help aspirant guides to give their clients the best day possible in the mountains while at the same time they assist in the preparation for the next guide exam. These USMGA mentors are some of the most highly trained and experienced guides in the country. The minimum requirements for these mentors are as follows:
  • USMGA endorsed rock, alpine, or ski mountaineering guide
  • Minimum of 3 years since certification exam
  • AMGA course instructor or equivalent experience
The requirements for an aspirant to take advantage of this program are:
  • Completion of AMGA rock, alpine, or ski guide course within last 3 years
  • Mentoring can only be for the discipline in which an AMGA course has been taken
Contact the USMGA for the USMGA mentor nearest you.

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AMGA Course Schedule

Contact the AMGA office for details on these courses and exams. Dates and locations may change and courses are sometimes canceled when they fail to fill up. The USMGA suggests that you commit to an event only after finding out who your instructors or examiners are. When you find out who they are, get in touch with the USMGA for a recommendation. We recommend that your course or exam be staffed by USMGA endorsed guides who have been specifically trained to work the event you are interested in.

2003

Aug 4-10 2003 Rock Instructor exam, N Conway, NH
August 17-26 2003 Advanced Rock Guides course, Boulder/Estes, CO
Sept 1-10 2003 Rock Instructor course, N Conway, NH
Sept 15-20 2003 Rock Instructo exam, N Conway, NH (Weather Day alloted)
Sept 22-27 2003 Rock Instructor exam, Boulder, CO
Sept 29-Oct 4 2003 Rock Guides exam, Red Rocks, NV
Oct 6-15 2003 Advanced Rock Guides course, Red Rocks, NV
Sept 10-19 2003 Alpine Guides Course, Little Switzerland, AK
Sept 23-Oct 2 2003 Advanced Alpine Guides Course , North Cascades, WA
October 4-14 2003 Alpine exam, North Cascades, WA