"Doing No Harm" is a guides first obligation to a client. A concept that is strongly emphasized in the American Mountain Guides Association's (AMGA) Code of Ethics which states that The Care and Well Being of a Client is Always a Professional Guides Primary Concern! This is why there is no better measure of a Guide, Guide Service, or Climbing School than their Safety Record. The next most crucial attribute of choosing a safe and competent guide is their actual years of guiding experience in a particular area(s), not just when they made their first climbing trip there or false guiding experienced claimed through a company purchase.
After this, a guide with work experience in different locations and environments that is well rounded in all disciplines of Mountaineering, not just rock climbing, generally has a deeper awareness of, and the ability to mitigate or eliminate your exposure to, objective hazards like local weather, rock & ice fall, avalanches, and many others that nature & man can present that you, your friends, and your family members may not even be aware of. In addition, a well rounded guide will be able to point out the cross over techniques & skills needed to help you excel in all disciplines of Mountaineering. This continuity can put you on the path needed to safely accomplish your biggest goals.
Choice is Crucial...
Multi Pitch Climbing Cathedral Spires Custer State Park South Dakota Needles
|
From here, hiring an AMGA Certified Guide helps assure that you are getting a competent and qualified guide.Please remember, AMGA Accreditation and/or Professional Member Affiliation does not require a company to employ AMGA Certified Guides.
Many of our competitors claim false affiliation with the AMGA and their guide training programs, and still others have little or no guide training along with very little actual guiding experience.
Beware during this time when anyone can hang out a shingle and lure you in with a false professional appearance. Be safe and always consider the above points prior to hiring a guide or guide service.
An essential component in the qualification of our guides is their awareness that the most important person is you, our guest, and that you, your family members, and your friends safely leave us the way you physically intended to taking with you a new mental perspective, heighten self confidence and awareness, improved skills, and a greater appreciation & respect for nature.
