Summer 2013 Courses

The American Mountain Guide Association (AMGA) Single Pitch Instructor Course (SPI) emphasizes the technical and educational proficiencies necessary to safely and professionally instruct rock climbing and climbing related activities in a group setting. The course is designed for outdoor instructors, aspiring guides, and climbers who facilitate top rope climbing programs in group settings such as camps, schools, universities, therapeutic groups and climbing schools. This class will prepare you to take the AMGA SPI Exam which will conclude this course. This course does not meet Physical Education activity requirements for AA degree. Semester offered – Summer.

Class will meet Friday, May 10 to Sunday, May 12 from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm each day for the SPI Development Class. SPI Exam will be held Saturday, June 1 to Sunday, June 2 from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm. Entire class will be held in Durango. Lab Fee covers AMGA membership and class/certification fees.

Instructor:  Josh Kling                    Limit 8

Start Date:  5/10                              Lab Fee $250.00       

End Date:  6/2                                 Location: Durango, CO

If you enjoy backpacking then this class is a must. Backpack one of the exceptional trails in the Four Corner states while learning all that is required to plan and initiate a long distance backpacking expedition. Class will plan and prep on the first day of the class, May 13 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and then leave for the expedition on May 14 through May 19. Class will be in remote areas at high elevation for most of the field class. Lab fee of $310.00 covers transportation, food while on expedition, permit fees and equipment. Students must be in good physical condition and be able to carry up to 60lbs for extended amounts of time.

Instructor:  JD Tanner                    Limit 10

Start Date:  5/13                            Lab Fee $310

End Date:  5/19                             Location: TBD

This course will introduce students to whitewater kayaking by covering the basic skills and safety techniques. Emphasis will be on river reading techniques, strokes, safety, self-rescue, and rescue of others. This course will prepare students to effectively “run” class II-III whitewater. The class is an American Canoe Association whitewater kayak course; a course Card of Completion is available. This course will meet Physical Education activity requirement for AA degree. Class will be in the classroom and field each day from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm.

Instructor:  Staff                    Limit 10

Start Date:  5/10                    Lab Fee $120.00         

End Date:  5/24                      Location: Animas and San Juan Rivers

Students will acquire skills and knowledge necessary to independently plan and carry out a successful rafting outing. Course content includes raft equipment for paddle and oar rafts, rowing/paddle techniques, instruction and practice of basic rafting technique, rigging, river dynamics and river-reading skills, basic rescue, and handling river related emergencies. This course will prepare students to effectively row or paddle class I to III whitewater. This course is an American Canoe Association basic rafting course. Students will receive an ACA course Card of Completion. This course will meet Physical Education activity requirement for AA degree. Class will be in the classroom in the morning of 5/28 and may leave for the field on that day through 6/1.

Instructor: David Childers>                    Limit 15

Start Date: 5/28                                      Lab Fee $120  

End Date:  6/1                                        Location: Rio Grande, Animas and San Juan Rivers

The Outdoor Leadership Program and the International Program will embark on an expedition style mountaineering trip to Alaska to climb the highest peak in the Chugach Mountains. During this class we will attempt to climb the 13,176 ft. Mount Marcus Baker. This expedition style mountaineering trip will start with a ride on a bush plane which will land on the Knik Glacier.  We will then trek to the base of the mountain and establish our base camp. During this class students will learn how to safely travel and camp on glaciers, climb snow, rock and ice as well as plan expedition style mountaineering trips.

Instructor:  Josh Kling                    Limit 9

Start Date:  5/15                              Lab Fee: $2075.00

End Date:  6/27                               Location: Anchorage, AK

Pre-Trip Meeting Date: Wednesday 5/15, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Trip Dates: 6/15 - 6/27

The Sea Kayak Expedition course is focused on helping the student learn to travel safely and efficiently by sea kayak. The course includes introductory navigation, boat lean and edging, rolling, kayak maneuvers, equipment, loading, expedition planning and behavior and open water rescues. Entire class will be held during a long distance sea kayak expedition on one of the larger lakes of the Southwest. Graduates of this course should be capable of planning and paddling a multi-day sea kayak trip. This is an ACA Skills class and successful participant will earn an ACA Card of Completion.

Course meets in classroom on Aug 1 from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm and will plan many aspects of the expedition. Multi-day Trip: Aug 12 through Aug 18.  Lab fee of $150.00 covers transportation, food while on overnight, and equipment.

Instructor:  Staff                    Limit 10

Start Date:  8/1                      Lab Fee $150.00

End Date:  8/18                      Location: Lake Powell

The ACA Canoe course focuses on helping the student learn to travel safely and efficiently by canoe. Emphasis on stroke and paddle mechanics, maneuvering including corrected forward strokes, cross strokes as well as paddling on flat water will encompass the first 3 days of the course. The second 3 days will focus is on learning about river features and hazards, how to handle capsizes on the river, more advanced rescues, how to do eddy turns, surfs and ferries, how to scout, keys to good judgment, clothing and much more.

Course meets in classroom on Aug 2 at 9:00 am. Field sessions are Aug 2 to Aug 4 and Aug 9 to Aug 11.

Instructor:  Alan Bottomlee                    Limit 10

Start Date:  8/2                                       Lab Fee $100              

End Date:  8/11                                       Location: Animas & San Juan Rivers, Navajo Lake

The American Canoe Association (ACA) Raft instructor course prepares you to be a whitewater raft instructor. This course will develop and test student’s proficiencies in safety awareness, technical knowledge, paddling/rowing skills and technique, and teaching ability. Completion of the class does not guarantee that you will become certified. Certification will be dependent upon your teaching ability and rafting skills. This course does not meet Physical Education activity requirement for AA degree. 

Course meets in classroom on Aug 5 from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Class will be in the field and classroom Aug 6 through Aug 9 from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. Lab fee of $150.00 covers 1 year ACA membership and instructor certification dues.

Instructor:  Staff                    Limit 10

Start Date:  8/5                      Lab Fee $150

End Date:  8/9                        Location: Animas and San Juan Rivers