PCGI Climbing Courses

Learn to Climb Like a Pro

These courses are designed for the aspiring guide or guides looking to expand their guiding abilities on the track to certification. Certified guides are set apart as holding higher standards and implementing the safest and most efficient climbing guiding techniques.

Separate fees are due directly to PCGI. Minimum of 2 people for each course.

Top Rope Guide Course

This is a 3 day course. The TRG course teaches a variety of skills, strategies, and methods for both the technical top rope environment as well as creating a strong base for technical instruction, teaching techniques, group management, and other important concerns. The top rope course is specifically developed to primarily address "top and bottom managed" top rope guiding. The training encompasses certain key top managed techniques that are commonly used such as belayed rappels and top-managed belays for areas such as lake and sea cliffs.The training days focus on technical skills, common guide and instruction techniques, managing clients, teaching, and pertinent rescue techniques. Classes are very hands on with active discussions and student involvement.

Single Pitch Guide Course

This is a 3 day course. The Single-Pitch Guide Course (SPG) is designed for guiding and instructing in single-pitch lead climbing terrain. The SPG is perfect for climbing instructors working primarily in single-pitch terrain, or for people that are competent Top Rope guides looking to expand their guiding abilities into Single-Pitch Terrain. It is also an excellent choice for college rock climbing program leaders, rock climbing club leaders, youth rock climbing program leaders, or recreational rock climbers wishing to improve safety and efficiency in Single-Pitch terrain. The SPG focuses on Lead/Follow style guiding with up to two clients in straightforward single-pitch terrain. The emphasis is on top managed techniques belay techniques, efficiency, stance management, teaching and facilitation skills, single-pitch specific rescue techniques, advanced anchoring, belaying, lowering, and rappelling techniques, and the fine art of leading with clients belaying you. This course provides students with the tools to successfully provide a safe and enjoyable experience for any given client in single-pitch terrain. The SPG does not include instruction in short roping, short pitching, intermediate belays, and complex approaches and descents. The training does not encompass guiding or instruction in glaciated environments. A primary goal of this training is to provide an open forum for learning and discussion in a supportive learning environment while presenting rigorous practical Single-Pitch guiding and instructing skill paradigms. The SPG consists of 3 days of technical, hands on Single-Pitch rock climbing guide training. The training days are a combination of group discussions and analysis of systems, instructor demonstrations of common rock climbing guiding techniques, and extensive hands on learning and practice for students. Mentors give extensive individual attention to students. Prior guiding experience at the top-rope level is strongly suggested before taking this course. Lead climbing up to 5.6 is conducted during the SPG. Students must be comfortable with traditional routes with gear anchors at this grade.

Lead Guide & Rescue Course

This is a 7 day course. The Lead Guide & Rescue Course is designed as an advanced level rock climbing guide training. It progresses from the skills of the single pitch guide course and covers more advanced guiding and rescue techniques that pertain to single and multi-pitch rock climbing with 2 clients. During the LG course, the student will be presented with the modern guiding tools and techniques to guide routes up to 4 pitches in length. The terrain covered during the LG course will involve a mix of both single and multi-pitch guide techniques, traverse and fall line management, complex approaches and descents, introduction to short-pitching and short-roping, and moving 2 clients through 2nd to 5th class terrain. Additional topics covered in this course include facilitator training, client care, guiding ethics, risk management, environmental ethics, and hazard mitigation. This training helps guides maximize the positive experience of the clients while effectively managing risk and moving safely and efficiently through non-technical and technical terrain with up to 2 clients. All PCGI courses are designed for rock climbing in non-glacial terrain and do not address snow or ice travel. A primary goal of this training is to provide a forum of open ideas while presenting practical guiding skill standards. The LG course consists of technical, hands-on guide training. The training days include discussion of common guide concerns, instructor demonstrations of common guiding and instruction techniques, and most importantly, participant practice of all of the guiding and instruction skills presented. Note: The rescue course component is incorporated into the Lead Guide Course. The rescue assessment is also offered as a separate undertaking from the LG Course that can be taken prior to LG course. Participant involvement in the rescue assessment is voluntary. Passing the rescue assessment is required in order to become a PCGI Certified Lead Guide.

Rescue Course

The Rescue Course (RC) is perfect for current professional rock climbing guides and/or instructors seeking to improve rescue skills, or for people seeking to move into the field of professional rock climbing guiding and/or instruction as well as for recreational climbers wishing to improve safety and efficiency during a rescue. This is not a “search and rescue” course. The rescue training requirement is typically fulfilled via the Lead Guide Course, but can be completed via a separate 2 day Rescue Course.