AMGA Climbing Wall Instructor Course

Please read though all the following information carefully and save this page or print it off now for your records. Your Instructor will contact you once via email before this booking (unless it is a last minute booking then they may not have chance to). Please call 1-888-284-8433 or email the office or your Instructor if you have any questions about your booking.

Meeting Time: AMGA CWI Programs meet at 6pm in the evening and then 8am for the next two days unless otherwise arranged.

Cancellation Policies: To have made this booking you must have already read and agreed to our cancellation policies. Please click here to review these policies if you wish and contact the FMG office if you have any questions.

Travel Insurance: We strongly suggest you look into ‘travel insurance’ as this may protect you from losing your money if you have to cancel your booking.

Guides’ Contact Information: Click here for a list of our guides’ email and cell phone numbers.

Accommodation: For accommodation information please click here or contact the office.

Itinerary Overview:

This is a two and a half day course. The first evening will be roughly four hours and the next two days will be between 8-10 hours. We will finish around 5-6pm on day two of the course.

What To Bring:

  • UIAA/CE approved Climbing Harness with belay loop
  • Climbing shoes
  • 6-8 Quickdraws
  • 48” Sling
  • 3 or more “HMS/Pearbiners”
  • 2 or more locking carabineers, (more the better)
  • 1 Belay device such as the Petzel Reverso, Black Diamond ATC, etc.
  • 1 ‘Assisted braking’ style belay device such as the Petzl GriGri
  • 1 Prussic loops (1m of 5mm Nylon Accessory Cord)

Pre-requisites for Certification

  • 18 years of age (persons 16 to 18 may take the course and will receive a letter of completion of the course, if completed successfully).
  • At least one year documented personal climbing experience (a minimum of 20 outings climbing indoors and/or outdoors).

Movement*

  • Climbing ability: 5.8 top rope and 5.7 lead on artificial structures
  • Movement demonstrating calm, confidence, good position, balance, solid base of support, no falls, and general body awareness
  • Ability to demonstrate a controlled fall, both on a rope and bouldering

* The course can be audited by anyone unable to climb because of physical limitations. A letter outlining the areas passed will be issued.

Equipment and Facility Care, Use, and Inspection

  • Demonstrate the proper care, use and inspection of personal climbing equipment, including but not limited to: shoes, harness, belay devices, carabiners, rope, cordage, and slings
  • The candidate possesses adequate knowledge of routine facility inspection practices according to the manufacturer’s instructions and employer’s policies and procedures
  • Assess the physical condition and set up of the climbing facility and take appropriate corrective actions based on this assessment

Belaying Skills

  • Demonstrate proper use of locking carabiners for climber belay rope attachment
  • Tie and evaluate a figure eight knot for climber belay rope attachment
  • Proper set up of belay system using an Using an assisted braking belay device (e.g. GriGri) and a tube or plate type belay device
  • Perform an effective top rope belay using an assisted braking belay device, and a tube or plate type belay device, demonstrating proper: technique, position, control, and communication
  • Perform an effective lead belay using an assisted braking belay device and a tube or plate type belay device, demonstrating proper technique, position, control, and communication
  • Criteria for effective belays (all criteria must be met):
    • Proper configuration and use of the belay device according to manufacturer’s instructions
    • Ability to properly feed rope through the device
    • Maintaining the brake hand on the rope at all times
    • Ability to brake at all times
    • Demonstrate an appropriate behavioral reaction to fall (i.e. the belayer must reflexively react to break a fall — even if stressed, surprised, fearful, etc.)
  • Perform an effective self-belay

Orientation and Instruction

  • Ability to conduct a thorough patron orientation covering inherent risks of climbing, personal responsibility for risk management and facility rules.
  • Ability to teach proper use of climbing equipment according to manufacturers instructions: harness, locking carabiner, tube or plate type belay device, assisted braking type belay device
  • Ability to teach proper use of an auto belay device
  • Ability to teach basic movement skills
  • Ability to teach tying a figure eight knot for climber belay rope attachment
  • Ability to teach basic rope management skills
  • Ability to teach proper belay skills and technique for top roped climbing
    • Using an assisted braking belay device
    • Using a tube or plate type belay device
  • Belaying directly from the ground anchor system using an assisted-braking belay device (not appropriate for all facilities)
  • Ability to teach proper belay skills and technique for lead climbing:
    • Using an assisted braking belay device
    • Using a tube or plate type belay device

Bouldering and Spotting

  • Ability to teach proper falling techniques
  • Ability to teach proper spotting techniques, both stationary and moving
  • Ability to select and use appropriate impact attenuating surfaces for bouldering

Assist Skills and Emergency Procedures

  • Perform or provide for appropriate technical rescue in a timely manner:
  • Belay escape from tube or plate type belay device
  • Attachment and ascent using an assisted braking belay device for a pick off rescue
  • Ability to activate facility emergency procedures if and when necessary
  • Ability to record and report required factual information pertaining to emergencies

Tips for a Successful Course; Final Check List:

  • Read all the information carefully
  • Ensure you have all the equipment required for the course. All equipment can be rented from FMG for a nominal fee. Email the office with any requests
  • Review the Course Pre-requisites and ensure you meet them!
  • Review your meeting location, date and time. Please allow extra time so you will arrive on time
  • Make a note of your guides cell phone number
  • Review directions and print them out for your trip
  • Download the FMG Waiver. Please print one for each participant and bring them with you. Review the information and call or email the FMG office if you have any questions. Parents/Guardians must sign any participants waiver under the age of 18 years old.
  • Look into trip insurance as this may protect you from losing your money if you have to cancel your trip at the last minute.
  • Review our cancellation policies and call or email the office with any questions.

Extra Information and Frequently Asked Questions:

Accommodation and Food: Accommodation and food costs are not included in any of the multiple day courses we offer.

Readiness for Climbing: Please arrive at your outing rendezvous in a state of physical and mental readiness.  Severe sleep deprivation, drug and alcohol use, and undisclosed medical conditions will greatly impair your ability to participate in a climbing outing and may create risks that will be difficult for your guide or instructor to manage. Please do not consume drugs or alcohol within 12 hours of your climbing outing. Alcohol consumption and drug use are forbidden while on the trip.

Payment: We will charge your outstanding balance to the card you placed the original order on unless otherwise instructed. You may also pay the balance at any time before the trip by sending a check to: Fox Mountain Guides and Climbing School, PO Box 1445 Pisgah Forest, NC 28768. Please include a note saying for whom the payment is for, what type of guiding or course and dates of booking. Please make checks payable to “Fox Mountain Guides, LLC”. There is a $30 service charge for all returned checks.