Name: AMGA SPI Exam
Brand: Kaf Adventures
Price: 495.0 USD
Availability: InStock

$495.00

Location

Smith Rock

Mt. Erie

Vantage (Frenchman Coulee)

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The American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) Single-Pitch Instructor (SPI) Exam is the first in the AMGA sequence of climbing instructor and guide training assessments. The SPI exam is designed to help recreational climbers transition into capable and effective climbing instructors. The exam certifies that the instructor has the technical and teaching skills required to instruct rock climbing in a single-pitch setting.

For the purpose of the SPI Program a single-pitch climb is: climbed without intermediate belays and presents no difficulties on approach or retreat. This includes skills such as route finding, scrambling or navigating.

Certified Single-Pitch Instructors are expected to demonstrate the technical and educational proficiencies necessary to instruct a variety of single pitch rock climbing skills in a safe and effective manner in all settings.

Check out these resources and the tabs below to learn more.

AMGA SPI Course and Exam
2024 AMGA SPI Program Handbook

Need climbing instructor training but don’t meet the AMGA SPI Assessment prerequisites? Kaf Adventures also offers a variety of instructional courses in many disciplines. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us for more details.

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Duration

2 days
8 hrs/day

Season

Spring
Summer
Autumn

Client:Guide Ratio

6:1

Minimum Participants

3

This course will run 8am-5pm both days, rain or shine. You are responsible for your own lodging and food. Campsites are available nearby the climbing area.

Day 1 – Plan on demonstrating your technical skills right away. Most of the day is focused on leading, instructing, building anchors and systems, managing your peers, and performing a rescue. Come prepared to guide/instruct on Day 1 and show up ready to take anyone climbing on any style route. Act like it is a day you are working for your organization. You will need to communicate and work with your peers on the first night of the exam so be prepared for a long evening on Day 1 and an early morning on Day 2.

Day 2 – This day will be focused more on soft skills and group management. You will be leading a group through a top roping day, and demonstrating your ability to work with others. The examiner may arrange for volunteer novice clients (non-paying) for the candidates to instruct in a group setting. This is not required but is a great benefit to the assessment process.

Please see the AMGA SPI Program Manual for a more detailed curriculm flow and assessment criteria.

AMGA Requirements for this Exam:

You have successfully completed the AMGA Single-Pitch Instructor Course or the AMGA Top Rope Site Manager Course.
You have traditionally lead climbed a minimum of 40 graded rock routes. A large number of these should have been 5.6 or harder on a variety of rock types.
You are capable of comfortably leading traditional routes at the 5.6 grade in a variety of styles (crack, face, and slab). You will be asked to demonstrate your leading ability throughout the assessment.
You are capable of comfortably climbing 5.8 while on top rope.
Ability to be moderately active in all weather conditions for 2 days in a row.

Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email full of important information - make sure to read it thoroughly!
Expect to hear from your guide or our team about a month before your trip or course. You will receive an email containing even more details, including exact meet up location and time and any other pertinent precourse information.
Leading up to your course, make sure to eat healthy, drink extra water, and get plenty of sleep.
Please arrive on time and ready to go at your pre-arranged meeting location. To get the most of our day, we'd like to begin right at the designated start time.
All along the way, our office team is available via email or phone to answer any questions you may have.

SPI Certification that allows you to work professionally in a single-pitch rock climbing environment.
A sense of accomplishment and knowledge that you are taking your first step in becoming a climbing guide!

Payment & Cancellation Policies

Travel Information & Trip Insurance

Meet the Team

Gratuities

FAQs

Equipment Lists

Required Gear

Head/face protection
-sun hat *baseball cap is great
-neck gaiter *buff
-sunglasses
Climbing pack 40-70L
Climbing harness and helmet
Water bottles with at least 2L capacity
50M static rope
Waterproof/protective layer
Cords
-1 18ft. piece of 5.5mm tech cord OR
-1 18ft piece of 7mm nylon cord
Climbing hardware
-active protection
-passive protection
-quickdraws or alpine draws
-10 non-locking carabiners
Dynamic rope *60-80m
Approach shoes or trail runners
Personal kit
-sunscreen *SPF 40 or higher
-lip balm
-headlamp and extra batteries
-toiletries *please bring a plastic baggie for waste
-personal medications and first aid
Runners of varying lengths
-2-4 single length (24”)
-2 double length (48”)
-1 quad length (96”)
Belay gear
-ATC Guide
-auto-locking belay device *like a GriGri
-belay gloves
Climbing shoes
6 locking carabiners

Not Pictured/Optional Gear
☐Lunches and snacks ☐ *leather work gloves acceptable as belay gloves ☐ Wind-breaker + pant ☐ Note pad/pencil ☐ Camera ☐ Watch ☐ Half foam pad to sit on ☐ Shorts/t-shirt ☐ Bandana ☐ Trekking poles