COURSE SCHEDULE & RATES
see below for course overview and prerequisites
Top Rope Guide Course (3 days)
DATES: February 15-17, 2025
COST: $450
MAX RATIO: 4 to 1
Minimum 2 students
COURSE INSTRUCTOR: Andy Funaro
Assessment (1 day)
DATE: February 24, 2025
COST: $200
ASSESSOR: Andy Funaro
Single Pitch Guide Course (3 days)
DATES: January 10-12, 2025
COST: $525
MAX RATIO: 4 to 1
Minimum 2 students
COURSE INSTRUCTOR: Andy Funaro
Assessment (1 day)
DATE: February 23, 2025
COST: $250
ASSESSOR: Andy Funaro
Lead Guide & Rescue Course (7 days)
DATES: February 1-7, 2025
COST: $1,025
MAX RATIO: 3 to 1
Minimum 2 students
COURSE INSTRUCTOR: Andy Funaro
Assessment (3 days)
DATES: February 19-21, 2025
COST: $400
ASSESSOR: Andy Funaro
Private Mentoring/Continuing Education
COST: $300 per day
Call or email us to schedule mentorship days
Top Rope Guide Course Information
*Note: Completing any level PCGI course does not constitute certification. In order to obtain PCGI certification individuals must pass a separate assessment for certification. Assessments are scheduled at the students request. It is encouraged to not let too much time laspe between a course and assessment.
Top Rope Guide Course Overview
The Top Rope Guide Course (TRG) is designed as a introductory level Top Rope rock climbing guide training program. No lead climbing is conducted during the TRG. This course provides the essential foundational guide skills needed to become a rock climbing guide while presenting rigorous practical top rope guiding and instructing skill paradigms. It is designed for experienced climbers looking to become climbing guides, for guides and instructors working primarily in Top Rope terrain, as well as 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 top rope terrain. All PCGI courses are designed for rock climbing in non-glacier terrain and do not address snow or ice travel.
The 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 addresses both top and bottom-managed top rope guiding without leading in areas where clifftops can be accessed via 4th class or lower approaches. The training encompasses key techniques that are commonly used such as belayed rappels and top-managed belays for areas such as lake and sea cliffs, relevant rescue techniques, and technical instruction.
The course focuses on technical climbing and guiding skills, common guide and instruction techniques, managing clients, teaching, and pertinent rescue techniques. Classes are very hands on and practical with active discussions and student practice of all skills.
Cost: $450
Course Length: 3 days
Max Ratio: 6-1
Minimum 2 students
Course Prerequisites
- Significant prior top rope climbing experience of at least 1 year/12 months
- Comfortable with top roping routes up to 5.7 (must be documented via the climbs roster of the registration form)
- Capable of using traditional climbing gear (camming devices and stoppers) to build standard 3-piece traditional anchors as well as bolted anchors
- Provide your own climbing gear and rack for building top rope anchors and setting up top ropes, including cams, stoppers, static anchor ropes (30-50 ft), 7mm cordalettes, and climbing ropes for use on course
- Working knowledge of the following knots and hitches
- Figure-eight follow through
- Figure-eight on a bight
- Overhand on a bight
- Bowline
- Double Fisherman
- Clove hitch
- Friction hitches
Suggested gear list:
The following gear list is by no means prescriptive, only a recommendation.
- Climbing harness with belay loop
- Climbing helmet
- Standard free climbing rack, which should include a set of wired nuts, camming units, and other optional trad gear such as tri-cams, hexes, etc.
- 10-12 shoulder-length runners with carabiners
- 60-70 meter climbing rope
- Sticky rubber approach shoes
- Climbing shoes comfortable enough to wear all day in hot conditions
- Five Pear shaped large locking carabiners
- Two 18-21 foot long 7mm nylon cords (cordalette)
- Belay device (Gri-Gri, Reverso, ATC Guide)
- 40-65 ft. of 9.4-10.2 mm static line for extending anchors
TOP ROPE GUIDE ASSESSMENT
PCGI – Top Rope Guide Certification:
The PCGI TRG certification demonstrates competency and mastery of the essential skills for safely and efficiently creating a top or bottom-managed top rope site with traditional, natural, and bolted anchors. A PCGI TRG demonstrates competency in top rope guided climbing in technical rock climbing environments which do not require short roping, short pitching or lead climbing. The PCGI TRG certification is a standardized top rope rock climbing guide certification and prepares the guide to work in the range of top rope environments found in the majority of climbing areas in the U.S.A. and beyond.
TRG Assessment – Prerequisites
- Comfortably top rope 5.7 rock climbs during assessment (must be documented via the climbs roster of the registration form)
- Completed PCGI TRG training, comparable or higher level course from another organization such as PCIA, AMGA, or in-house training of similar content.
- Own and bring appropriate climbing gear for guided top rope rock climbing
Cost: $200
Length: 1 day
Max Ratio: 4-1
Minimum 2 students
Single Pitch Guide Course Information
*Note: Completing any level PCGI course does not constitute certification. In order to obtain PCGI certification individuals must pass a separate assessment for certification. Assessments are scheduled at the students request. It is encouraged to not let too much time laspe between a course and assessment.
Single Pitch Guide Course Overview
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 requiring lead climbing 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.
Cost: $525
Course Length: 3 days
Max Ratio: 4-1
Minimum 2 students
Course Prerequisites
1) Comfortable lead climbing 5.6 traditional and sport climbing routes (must be documented via the climbs roster of the course registration form).
2) Capable of using traditional climbing gear (camming devices and stoppers) to build standard three-piece traditional anchors.
3) Lead climbing experience of at least two years. Prior top-rope guiding experience strongly suggested.
4) Working knowledge of the following knots and hitches
- Figure-eight follow through
- Figure-eight and overhand on a bight
- Double figure-eight and overhand
- Bowline
- Double fisherman
- Clove hitch
- Munter hitch
- Friction hitches
Suggested gear list:
The following gear list is by no means prescriptive, only a recommendation. Students must provide their own gear.
- Climbing harness with belay loop
- Climbing helmet
- Standard free climbing rack, which should minimally include a set of wired nuts and camming units
- 10-12 shoulder-length runners with carabiners
- 60-meter climbing rope
- Sticky rubber approach shoes
- Climbing shoes comfortable enough to wear all day in hot conditions
- Five large Pear shaped locking carabiners
- Two 18-21 foot long 7mm nylon cords (cordalette)
- Belay device (Gri-Gri & ATC Guide/Reverso/Plate)
- 40-65 ft. of 9.5-10.5 mm static line for extending anchors
SINGLE-PITCH GUIDE ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW
PCGI – Single-Pitch Guide Certification:
The PCGI SPG certification has been developed to represent single-pitch rock climbing guiding in general single-pitch terrain. This includes both bottom managed and top managed guiding techniques as needed to safely conduct the guided single-pitch and top rope experience for any given client. A Certified SPG demonstrates competency in leading 5.7 single-pitch rock climbs safely and efficiently with 2 clients and can effectively facilitate the client’s experience to match their skills, abilities, and expectations. The PCGI SPG certification is a standardized single-pitch rock climbing guide certification and enables a guide to competently, safely, and efficiently facilitate guided single-pitch climbing in a broad range of locations and rock types.
SPG Assessment – prerequisites
1) Comfortably lead 5.7 rock climbs during assessment (must be documented via the climbs roster of the course registration form)
2) Completed PCGI SPG training course (or higher) or have taken formal rock climbing guide training through any nationally or internationally recognized organization
3) Have minimum of 1 years experience guiding rock climbing
4) Own and bring appropriate climbing gear for guided top rope rock climbing
Cost: $250
Length: 1 day
Max Ratio: 4-1
Minimum 2 students
Lead Guide Course Information
*Note: Completing any level PCGI course does not constitute certification. In order to obtain PCGI certification individuals must pass a separate assessment for certification. Assessments are scheduled at the students request. It is encouraged to not let too much time laspe between a course and assessment.
LEAD GUIDE COURSE
OVERVIEW
The Lead Guide 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.
Cost: $1025 for Rescue and Lead Guide Course
Course Length: 7 days
Max Ratio: 3-1
Lead Guide Course prerequisites:
- Ability to comfortably lead, 5.8 traditional multi-pitch rock climbs (must be documented via the climbs roster of the registration form)
- Familiarity and competency with building solid climbing anchors with traditional climbing gear, i.e. stoppers, cams
,, tri-cams, etc. - Climbing experience of at least 3 years
- Guiding experience of at least 1 year at the Single Pitch level or more
- Having taken a Single Pitch Guide course or Assessment
- Take the PCGI Rescue Course prior or concurrently
- Own,
bring, and have competency with gear/rack for leading traditional rock climbs, such as stoppers, cams, tri-cams, 50-70M dynamic climbing rope, anchor materials such as 7mm cord, as well as a belay device, climbing shoesand climbing helmet. - Working knowledge of the following knots and hitches:
a. Figure-eight follow through
b. Figure-eight and overhand on
c. Super-eight
d. Double
e. Bowline
f. Munter hitch and munter-mule-overhand
g. Clove hitch
h. Friction hitches
Suggested gear list:
The following gear list is by no means prescriptive, only a recommendation.
- Climbing harness with
belay loop - Climbing helmet
- Standard free climbing rack, which should include a set of wired nuts, camming units, tri-cams
- 10-12 shoulder-length runners with carabiners
- 60-meter climbing rope
- Sticky rubber approach shoes
- Climbing shoes comfortable enough to wear all day in hot conditions
- Five Pear shaped locking carabiners to allow use of munter hitch
- Two 21 foot long 7mm nylon cords
- Belay device (Gri-Gri, ATC Guide/Reverso)
LEAD GUIDE ASSESSMENT
PCGI – Lead Guide Certification:
The PCGI LG Certification represents rock climbing guiding in non-glaciated terrain up to 4 pitches in length. The Certified PCGI Lead Guide is a guide who has demonstrated competency and efficiency in techniques necessary to complete guided rock climbing ascents with 2 clients on routes of 1-4 pitches with potentially complex approaches or descents. They must demonstrate competency in techniques including short pitching, spotting, modeling, coaching, lowering, rappels and multi-pitch rescue techniques as well as leading on traditional gear on routes up to 5.8. The Lead Guide Standard is the perfect hybrid of the Single-Pitch Guide Standard and the Multi-Pitch Guide Standard. In the Lead Guide Standard, intermediate belays are implemented for the purpose of approaching climbs/routes and/or on descents. The PCGI LG certification is a
Note: In order to gain PCGI Lead Guide Certification, students must pass both the PCGI Lead Guide Assessment & Rescue Assessment within a 12-month period, or assessments must be re-taken.
Lead Guide Assessment – Prerequisites:
- Comfortably lead traditional rock climbs rated 5.8 up to 4 pitches long (must be documented via the climbs roster of the registration form)
- Comfortably guide 2 clients up to 5.8 traditional rock climbs (must be documented via the climbs roster of the registration form)
- Complete PCGI LG course, or equivalent multi-pitch guiding course from any recognized climbing guide training organizations (please provide documentation on
registration form) - Have previously completed Single Pitch Guide Course and Assessment or equivalent
Cost: $600
Length: 2 days for Lead Guide Assessment, 1 day for Rescue Assessment (separate)
Max Ratio: 3-1