• ​Why hire a guide and choose BRMG?

Hiring a guide from a reputable guide service has many benefits. First off, no guide service can ensure your safety; climbing and skiing are inherently dangerous. However, you can hire a trained, experienced, certified professional whose job it is to manage risk, while creating a memorable experience, and helping you meet your educational goals. That’s us! Blue Ridge Mountain Guides is an AMGA Accredited Business. We are one of only two accredited businesses in the South Atlantic and the only one in the south operating in WV and many parts of VA. 

Second, doing private guiding or private courses will accelerate your learning and experience, helping you have more fun in the mountains. You will learn the right techniques from our guides, and faster than you would on your own. Plus, it’s nice to have someone reassuring and double checking you as you lean back on the first knot or anchor you tied yourself.

Third, BRMG is composed of career guides. That means that many of our guides work in the outdoor industry day-to-day and year-round, rock climbing, skiing, ice climbing, and mountaineering.

Lastly, BRMG guides in more states and areas than any other guide service in the mid-Atlantic. Our guide staff can climb with you in VA, WV, NC, and NH, giving you access to more terrain than any other guide service in the mid-Atlantic.

• Where do courses/Programs meet?

Trips meet at climbing area parking lots or nearby markets/coffee shops. You will receive detailed logistics info in your confirmation email.

• What time do courses/programs meet?

Our standard meeting times are 8:30, 9:00, or 9:30am for full day trips and 8:30am or 1:00pm for half day trips. Since most of our programs are private, we are flexible on times. Let us know if something works better for you.

• What if the weather is poor?

BRMG provides a variety of options in the event of poor weather. First, our cancellation/rescheduling policy is quite flexible. Just reschedule 48 hours in advance! Second, with so many locations, we may be able to move your trip to another destination with a better forecast. Or, let our guides deliver a quality experience rain or shine. Our guides can find dry terrain, a sheltered area to learn technical skills, or an objective appropriate to climbing in wet conditions.

In the event of severe weather, it will not be possible to climb and rescheduling may be mandatory.

• Can I lead climb?

The short answer is yes. However, just like taking the belay test at the gym, you need to show proficiency. We require that anyone wishing to lead demonstrate the ability to correctly clip bolts or place gear on a route and construct an anchor at the top. You must also comfortably top rope at least two number grades above the grade you wish to lead.

• How old do you have to be to climb?

We don’t have an age requirement. Though, from our experience the average age to begin climbing is 6 years old. Our guides will scale your climbing adventure appropriately for young climbers. Climbers under the age of 18 are required to be accompanied by an adult that is on the trip. 
 

• What equipment do you need?

BRMG provides you with access to all technical gear necessary to go climbing, and at no additional cost. If you have your own gear, you are welcome to bring it. In fact, we encourage it on our advanced courses. However, your guide will insist on inspecting it prior to use.

• Which location is best for me?

Great question! Our guides can create an amazing climbing experience regardless of your climbing experience at any of our locations. All of our courses can be taught at any of the locations with the exception of sport leading. We do not recommend focusing on sport climbing at Wintergreen, Seneca, Moore’s Wall, or Stone Mountain. The best sport climbing in our region is at the New River Gorge and Pilot Mountain.