AMGA SPI
AMGA SPI
The American Mountain Guides (AMGA) Single Pitch Instructor Course is the first in the sequence of climbing instructor and guide training programs. This is a great way to transition from a capable recreational climber to an effective climbing instructor. The SPI course is intended for recreational climbers who are already proficient in both top-rope and lead climbing. Each of our SPI courses is led by an IFMGA certified Guide and member of the Instructor Pool for the advanced level AMGA courses. For the Past 9 years John Kear, Amos Whiting and Owner, Carl Dec have constantly provided the very best in Single Pitch Instruction to students.
Why Choose Red River for SPI training?
- RRA has been providing Single Pitch Instructor training longer than any other Utah guide service
- We are local with locations in both Moab and Salt Lake City
- IFMGA certified lead Instructors
- Lead instructors are also members of the upper level Rock, Alpine and Ski instructor pool
- Camping & meals included on some courses!
AMGA SPI Course offerings
Course Pre-Requisites
- You are at least 18 years old
- You have a genuine interest in rock climbing and instructing novices on single pitch crags
- You have at least 12 months of prior climbing experience
- You are an active climber with traditional lead climbing experience
- Have trad lead climbed a minimum of 15 graded rock climbing routes (any grade)
- Are capable of comfortably climbing 5.8 while on a top rope
The pre-requisites listed above 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 a day with one of our Certified Single Pitch Instructors to evaluate and enhance your skills and experience prior to SPI Program enrollment.
Salt Lake City, UT
SPI Course – 5/14-16/21
$575
Course director IFMGA certified guide John Kear. Co-instructor RRA owner Carl Dec
Moab, UT
SPI Course – 3/12-14/21
$575
Course director IFMGA certified guide John Kear. Co-instructor RRA owner Carl Dec
AMGA SPI Exam offerings
Assessment Pre-Requisites
You meet the SPI Assessment Pre-Requisites if:
- You have successfully completed an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Course or AMGA Top Rope Site Manager Course.
- You have trad lead climbed a minimum of 40 rock routes. A large number of these should be at 5.6 grade and hopefully on a variety of rock types.
- You are capable of comfortably leading 5.6 traditional routes (leader placing protection).
- You will demonstrate your leading ability on a variety of routes on the assessment.
- You are capable of comfortably climbing 5.8 while on a top rope.
The SPI Assessment can be taken directly following the SPI Course if the candidate successfully completed the course and meets the Assessment pre-requisites. However, it is highly recommended that the SPI Course candidate takes time practicing and consolidating the skills learned on the course before assessment (6-12 months).
Salt Lake City, UT
SPI Exam – 5/22-23/21
$395
Exam Director IFMGA certified guide John Kear. Co-instructor RRA owner Carl Dec
Moab, UT
SPI Exam – 3/20-21/21
$395
Exam Director IFMGA certified guide John Kear. Co-instructor RRA owner Carl Dec
Visit these links for more information on the AMGA and complete details on the Single Pitch program.
Rock Climbing Photo Gallery
Reviews
FAQ
TripAdvisor 5 Stars
Why Choose RRA? Red River Adventure's online reviews have consistently been excellent. Since 2003 no other company has received such high praise from guests. Water or land our clients rave about the quality of our guides, the depth of their knowledge, their ability to teach and most importantly, how incredibly fun they are.
Still wondering who to book? We believe our past guest's comments make the decision easy!
Back to top
Your Safety is our number #1 concern
RRA has safely hosted 70,000+ kids and adults on our rafting, climbing, canyoneering and sking trips. RRA guides are at a minimum state licensed, insured and hold first aid and CPR certifications. Many of our river guides hold additional certifications in swift water rescue and whitewater instruction. Many, though not all, of our rock, ice, ski and canyoneering guides are AMGA trained or certified for the terrain they guide..
Back to top
Quality Equipment
When running trips quality equipment is paramount. RRA replaces its equipment on a regular basis. This ensures all the gear required to keep you safe and having fun is in top-notch shape.Back to top
Reputation
RRA has earned the reputation of a professionally ran, top quality guide service. We are a tight knit family run business. Once you adventure with RRA we guarantee you'll be back for more.Back to top
Do I need a reservation
YES! To guarantee space on the trip of your choice, we recommend reservations, especially on holidays and summer weekends. In order to provide the type of trip the we have become known for we do limit the number of people on a launch and we do fill up. In addition a lot goes into the planning of a river trip, including scheduling of guides, drivers, packing lunch for full-day and lunch trips and ensuring that our equipment is always in top-notch condition. Make a reservation as soon as you have a good idea of when you want to raft with us and you'll avoid disappointment. Feel free to call us about reservations at any time @ 1-877-259-4046 or email.
Back to top
About Age Limitations
Youth Rate = 15 years and younger!Adults = 16 years and up!
All participants on river trips are required to wear a Coast Guard approved floatation device (PFD). For Fisher Towers trips we use an age limit of 5 and kids must weight at least 40 Lbs. On Climbing and Canyoneering trips the limit is 8 years of age. Ask yourself, what kind of previous outdoor experience has the child had? Use your considered judgment on the child's preparedness. On the other end, folks well into their 70's have adventured with us.
Back to top
Which Trip to Choose
We are thrilled to have the ability to offer such a wide variety or trips. We also realize that this can create confusion. We are a fantastic resource and look forward to helping you choose the trip that is perfect for you and your group. Please feel free to call or email with any questions you might have, we love to help. Often after a brief conversation with one of our staff the the answers become clear.
Back to top
Where do we park/leave our things
There is plenty of secure parking on site at our offices. Valuables can be locked in your vehicles and will be perfectly safe for the duration of your trip. In addition we are more than happy to store anything that you may be extra concerned about in our offices while you are on the river.
Back to top
Are there bugs
Thankfully there are usually very few to no bugs on our trips. The we travel through some of the driest terrain on the planet so there is generally no standing water for bugs to breed in. At the same time the current in the main river section is too swift to allow for breeding. This being said sometimes there are gnats or mosquitoes.
Back to top
What to Bring
Red River Adventures tries to make your trip with us as easy as possible! What to bring is clearly outlined on the "what to pack" tab for each of our trips. We provide most, to all, necessary equipment for you to take part in our rock climbing, canyoneering and river trips. This includes all rock climbing and canyoneering equipment, boats and boating equipment, safety equipment, life jackets, guides, food, beverages, camping and kitchen equipment. In addition you are welcome to bring, or we can provide at NO ADDITIONAL COST, camping equipment including tents, sleeping bags and inflatable mattresses. You simply bring your own personal clothing and gear. We will provide trip specific lists to assist you in bringing the right things.
Back to top
Where You Will Live and Sleep
A river trip is an outdoor experience and should be fun. There are no improved campgrounds along the river so we set up a portable sanitation facility each evening. It is very similar to an RV toilet except the view is much better and it doesn't flush. We provide hand washing stations and all dishes are done in a 4 step process ensuring complete sanitization. Previous camping experience is NOT required to participate in one of our trips, but you should be prepared and be comfortable with the idea of eating, sleeping, and living in the outdoors. Our guides are there to help and will provide as much or as little assistance as you wish to receive.
Back to top
What the Weather is Like
Be prepared for hot (75-110 F degrees) weather during June, July, and August. You can expect cooler temperatures (55-90 F degrees) during April, May, September, and October. August is usually the wettest month (short-lived but intense thunder showers).
April 73|42 May 84|50 June 85|58 July 101|64 Aug 98|63 Sept 89|53
Back to top
What You Will Eat
Most trips include all meals beginning with lunch on the first day and ending with lunch on the last day. No hot dogs and hamburgers here. Our menu includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, grilled meats and fish and even hot dutch oven desserts. Guests often remark that the food was remarkable and exceeded even their wildest expectations.
Check out our Menu page for more details.
Back to top
About Swimming and Fishing
Swimming is as much a part of a great river trip as whitewater and cooking out. Guests are more than welcome to swim on all our river trips. There is no better place to be on a hot summer day than swimming alongside one of our rafts. Catfish and Carp are plentiful in the Colorado and Dolores Rivers, the kids often enjoy fishing when at camp.
Back to top
What Risks Are Involved
Red River Adventures has an unblemished safety record. We personally screen and train our employees vigorously each year. Each of our guides receives extensive instructions on safety, swift water rescue and first aid training. Our Climbing and Canyoneering guides are highly trained and many are AMGA certified. Our trips take place in rugged, remote "wilderness" settings. You should be in good general health to participate. Non-swimmers can go and are more than welcome. We provide Coast Guard approved life jackets for your safety.
Back to top
Beverages
We supply plenty of drinking water, lemonade, breakfast drinks, etc. on each trip.
Back to top
Alcohol Policy
Full and 1/2 Day Raft Trips: Alcohol or drugs are not to be consumed before or during trips. No refund will be given to those drinking alcohol or using drugs prior to a scheduled trip.
Multi-Day Raft Trips: Alcohol or drugs are not to be consumed before or during time on the river. No refund will be given to those drinking alcohol or using drugs prior to river time. Alcohol may be consumed, in camp, on multi-day trips. Climbing/Canyoneering trips. Alcohol or drugs are not to be consumed before or during trips.
Back to top
Charter and Group Rates
Red River Adventures offers a group rate discount of 10% to groups of 10 or more. Additional rates reductions are available for school, club, church, or special-interest groups on some trips. We are happy to, when ever possible, customized trip lengths and itineraries. Please contact us for help in arranging your charter trip or for group rate information.
Back to top
What To Pack
SPI required gear
- Climbing equipment:
- UIAA/CE approved Climbing Helmet
- UIAA/CE approved Climbing Harness with belay loop
- Climbing shoes or approach shoes in which you can climb up to 5.7
- Standard “lead climbing rack” such as, stoppers/nuts, SLCD’s, tri-cams, etc.
- Assorted 24” and 48” runners (must have one 48” runner)
- 10 or more non-locking carabiners
- 3 or more “HMS/Pearbiners”
- 6 or more locking carabiners, (the more, the better)
- Belay/rappel device, such as the “Reverso”, “ATC”, etc.
- Releasable locking belay device, such as the Petzl “GriGri” or Trango “Cinch” belay devices
- 2 Prussic loops (1m of 5mm Nylon Accessory Cord)
- 2 cordelettes (5m of 7mm Nylon Accessory Cord)
- One 60m “single” rope (9.5-10.5mm) suitable for leading and top roping
- One static or “semi static” (gym line) rope 10-11mm, 30m+, for setting up anchors and fixed lines
Additional equipment is the responsibility of the participant. The course will be run regardless of weather. Be prepared for full days in the field and variable weather conditions.
Red River Adventures does not provided camping or climbing equipment.
Reservations
Option #1 - Most of our Adventures can be booked by clicking the "Book Now" button for the trip you want.
Option #2 - For those trips that do not open a calendar Call 1-435-259-4046
or Email us through our Contact Page
Reservations are HIGHLY recommended! Many dates sell out far in advance!
A refundable payment is due to guarantee reservation.
Cancellations
Full & Half Day Trips, Clinics and Courses
- A deposit of 1/2 the trip total is due at time of reservation.
- Balance is due and will be charged 48 hours prior to departure.
- Cancellation/changes made 48 hours prior to departure are FREE!
- Cancellation, in part or full, within 48 hours of departure receive no refund.
International trips
- Deposit due at time of reservation; Final payment due 45 days prior!
- Cancellation 45 days prior to departure is free!
- Cancellations within 45 days of departure receive NO REFUND.
General
RRA reserves the right to cancel any trip due to weather, insufficient bookings or any other circumstances beyond our control at anytime. RRA will make every effort to reschedule the date. Bookings that are unable to be rescheduled or are cancelled by RRA will receive a full refund.
Weather
Weather is part of the dynamic environment in which we operate. We may experience conditions that you do not consider ideal. If we determine that conditions are suitable for the activity you have booked and you instead wish to cancel/discontinue the trip, we will, whenever practical, end the trip at your request with no refund. If conditions are such that RRA deems it unwise to continue, we reserve the right to alter the itinerary, which may include, but may not be limited to, shortening of route or length of trip. We may also change venue or cancel the remainder of your trip. If, at time of cancellation, the trip is less than 1/2 complete, we will charge 50% of trip fee. If the trip is between 1/2 and completed, a full trip fee is charged.Alcohol
Full and 1/2 Day Raft Trips: Alcohol or drugs are not to be consumed before or during trips. No refund will be given to those drinking alcohol or using drugs prior to a scheduled trip. Multi-Day Raft Trips: Alcohol or drugs are not to be consumed before or during time on the river. No refund will be given to those drinking alcohol or using drugs prior to river time. Alcohol may be consumed, in camp, on multi-day trips. Climbing/Canyoneering trips. Alcohol or drugs are not to be consumed before or during trips.