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 SPI Programs meet at 8am 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.
Directions: Click here for the main directions page then select the area that you have booked. If you have questions about your location, meeting location or directions please email or call your guide.
Accommodation: For accommodation information please click here or contact the office.
Itinerary Overview:
Our courses are based at locations across the East Coast and each location will have a different itinerary. The NC programs are normally based at Looking Glass Rock (the town of Pisgah Forest/Brevard, NC) with a ‘day trip’ to Crowders Mountain on day two of the course. We will carpool to Crowders Mountain on day two as it is about a two hour drive from Pisgah Forest. We go to Crowders because of the great anchor building challenges and perfect single pitch setting for this curriculum.
What To Bring:
- Technical Equipment:
- UIAA/CE approved climbing helmet
- UIAA/CE approved climbing harness with belay loop
- Climbing shoes or approach shoes you can climb in to 5.7
- Standard “lead climbing rack” such as, Stoppers, SLCD’s, Tri-cams, etc.
- Assorted 24” and 48” runners (must have one 48” runner)
- 10 or more non-locking carabineers
- 3 or more “HMS/Pearbiners”
- 5 or more locking carabineers
- 1 Plate/tube style belay device such as the Petzl Reverso, Black Diamond ATC, etc.
- 1 Assisted braking style belay device such as the Petzl GriGri
- 2 Prussic loops (1m of 5mm Nylon Accessory Cord)
- 2 Cordelettes (5m of 7mm Nylon Accessory Cord)
- One 50-60m “single” rope (9.5-11mm) suitable for leading and top roping
- One static or “semi static” (gym line) rope 10-11mm, 30m+, for setting up anchors and fixed lines
- All gear will be inspected on the first morning of the course and is expected to be in good condition. Mark all of your gear!
Course Pre-Requisites:
- Have a genuine interest in rock climbing and instructing novices on single pitch crags.
- Are at least 18 years old at the time of the course.
- Have at least 12 months prior climbing experience.
- Are an active climber with traditional lead climbing experience (leader placing pro).
- Have trad lead climbed a minimum of 15 rock climbing routes (any grade).
- Are capable of comfortably climbing 5.8 while on a top rope.
The above pre-requisites are absolute minimums and most candidates have way in excess of the above. Without having at least this amount experience you are unlikely to play a constructive part on the course or be able to make best use of the training. If you are unsure of your skill levels we suggest hiring an AMGA Certified Instructor/Guide to evaluate and enhance your skills and experience prior to SPI Program enrollment.
These pre-requisite skills will be assessed at the start of the course.
Expected knowledge:
In addition to the course pre-requisites above here is a list of skills that a candidate is expected to know entering the course. Many people email and call asking what they should practice before the course and this list also serves as a list of skills to practice:
- Equipment familiarization-ensure you know all of your (or borrowed) equipment and how to use it effectively.
- Practice belaying, lowering and rappelling with a GriGri or similar assisted braking style belay device.
- Rappel in a single pitch setting utilizing appropriate backups.
- Know how to tie Knots and Hitches including: Figure Eights and Overhands (follow through and on a bight), Bowline Family, Munter Hitch and Munter Mule, Clove Hitch, Double Fisherman’s, Prussik and klemheist friction hitches. We look at knots and hitches on day one of the course and it is embarrassing for the candidate when they have problems tying these knots. Practice, practice, practice!
- Able to place artificial gear (SLCD’s, Hexes, Stoppers, Tri-Cams, etc) to create quick, effective anchors in a single pitch setting.
Tips for a Successful Course; Final check list:
- Read all the information carefully
- Ensure you have all the equipment required for the course. Email the office with any requests
- Review the Course Pre-requisites and ensure you meet them! Practice the ‘Expected Knowledge’ skills
- 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:
Transport: It is your responsibility for your own transportation to and from the Trail Head.
Camping and Food: Camping and food costs are not included in any of the multiple day courses we offer.
Weather: These programs can run in any weather so come prepared!
Emergency Information: Please be aware that advanced medical care is normally over an hour away from the climbing and course sites, cell phones mostly do not work in the areas that the courses are run. All medical concerns, old injuries, and medications should be discussed with the Instructor prior to the course or day of guiding.
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 is 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.