American Mountain Guides Association
AMGA Accreditation
Established in 1986, the AMGA Accreditation Program endorses guide services, climbing programs, and school or university outdoor programs that offer climbing instruction, guided climbing, or skiing services.
Accreditation provides a consistent standard for assessing the reliability and professionalism of a climbing service by ensuring it:
Blue Ridge Mountain Guides is the only AMGA Accredited Business in Virginia and the only one in the South Atlantic operating in West Virginia.
Established in 1986, the AMGA Accreditation Program endorses guide services, climbing programs, and school or university outdoor programs that offer climbing instruction, guided climbing, or skiing services.
Accreditation provides a consistent standard for assessing the reliability and professionalism of a climbing service by ensuring it:
- Conforms to industry standards
- Guarantees rigorous and uniform guide training
- Is compliant with state and federal law
- Promotes ethical business practices
Blue Ridge Mountain Guides is the only AMGA Accredited Business in Virginia and the only one in the South Atlantic operating in West Virginia.
AMGA Training & Certification Programs
Single Pitch Instructor Program
Single Pitch Instructor Program
- The Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) Program teaches climbing instructors to proficiently facilitate and instruct the sport of rock climbing in a single pitch, or small rock cliff setting.
- The SPI Program is the only internationally recognized single pitch climbing instructor certification program in the United States.
- This entry-level certification consists of a minimum of five days of instruction and examination plus personal pre-requisite experience.
- AMGA Mountain Guide Programs train and certify working and aspiring Guides.
- The programs consist of three disciplines: Alpine, Rock, and Ski. If an individual becomes certified in all three disciplines they become an American Mountain Guide/IFMGA Guide.
- For each discipline (Alpine, Rock, and Ski) there is a series of courses and a final exam totaling between 26 and 42 days (86 days to terminal certification) of rigorous instruction and examination with experienced IFMGA/American Mountain Guide teachers and mentors.
- Individuals must log additional guiding and climbing experience throughout the training and certification process, an undertaking which takes many years to complete.
