SPI Exam
$ 400.00
The AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) Program
The SPI Program is a three day (27 hour) training course and separate two day (16 hour) SPI Assessment. Certification lasts for three years as long as the candidate keeps current AMGA Membership and First Aid Certification. After three years current SPI’s can re-take the SPI Assessment or take any higher level AMGA Program to re-gain the SPI certification.
What to expect from The SPI Assessment (Exam)?
The SPI Exam is a two day (16 hour) assessment. Upon successful completion, the certification lasts for three years as long as the candidate keeps current AMGA Membership and First Aid Certification. After three years current SPI’s can re-take the SPI Assessment or take any higher level AMGA Program to re-gain the SPI certification.
SPI Exam Prerequisites
- You are a current member of the AMGA.
- You have successfully completed an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Course.
- You have led a minimum of 40 traditional routes, most of which should be 5.6 and on a variety of rock types.
- You are able to comfortably lead 5.6 traditional routes, which means you place protection.
- You are able to comfortably climb 5.8 on top rope.
- The SPI Assessment can be taken directly following the SPI Course if the candidate successfully completed the course and meets the assessment prerequisites. However, it is highly recommended that the SPI Course candidate take time practicing and consolidating the skills learned on the course before assessment (6-12 months).
- You do not need First Aid training to take the course or assessment. However, it is your responsibility to hold an appropriate medical certification for the location that you are working in.
Related Items
Capitol Peak
$ 1,450.00
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Whether Capitol Peak (14,130 ft.) is on your summits tick list or looms large as a solitary mountaineering goal, this 'Grand Teton' of Colorado awaits your arrival! This mountaineering experience takes you into the heart of central Colorado's Elk Range. You'll camp at Capitol Lake and enjoy first class mountain scenery underneath Capitol's northwest face, saddling up early for your summit day the next morning. This world-class climb has earned the reputation as one of the most difficult 14,000' peaks in Colorado, largely due to its' famously exposed 'knife-edge' ridge. With an AMGA trained or certified mountain guide from Aspen Expeditions, you'll be able to enjoy this exciting part of the climb with confidence and safety.
This climb has 2-day, 3-day, and horse-supported options available; please speak to our office to determine the best fit for you/your group! ( horse support is available through our USFS permitted partner outfitters)
- Please contact us via phone at 970-925-7625 or email/form to determine the best date for you or to request more information.
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Duration: Minimum 2-day approach/climb
Location: The guide will be in touch with you the day before to determine your meeting place and any miscellaneous details. Please call 970-925-7625 for any questions.
Maximum Guide Ratio: 2:1
Fitness Level: You should maintain an overall general level of fitness as this climb is challenging.
Includes: AMGA trained/certified mountain guide, use of all technical equipment (helmet, harness, climbing equipment, ropes, packs, etc.), use of all necessary camping gear, and a 3% USFS land use surcharge.
Not included: water, lunch/snack food
Please contact us via phone at 970-925-7625 or email/form to determine the best date for you or to request more information. -
Prep- Your guide will contact you the day before at the voice number you give us to discuss an appropriate plan for you and to confirm a meeting place and start time. You will go over necessary gear to pack and meal planning. Think about what type of foods you want to eat while climbing in the backcountry and coordinate with your guide.
You will be provided with a helmet, harness, climbing equipment, ropes, a pack, and all necessary camping gear.
The Day - Meet your guide at your pre-determined location and head to the Capitol Lake trailhead parking lot. Begin the hike in to Capitol Lake with heavy packs, approximately 6.5 miles. There are great campsites and the lake is very scenic. The next day is your summit day. You will begin the approach well before dawn. You will begin up a well-beaten, steep trail for 0.5 miles up to the 12,500-foot saddle between Capitol and 13,300-foot Mount Daly. From the saddle, you will make a descending traverse south into the basin. You will then make your way west through the boulder field to the notorious K2 - the view from Capitol here is breathtaking. You will then continue climbing to the unmistakable "knife-edge." The knife-edge is a 100-foot-long, horizontal stretch of ridge. The best technique to cross this section is to grab the edge with your hands and walk your feet along underneath you - the rock is surprisingly solid, compared to the rest of the climb. You will continue the ascend towards the summit. (Water, lunch/snacks are not included).
Please contact us via phone at 970-925-7625 or email/form to determine the best date for you or to request more information. -
CLIMBING EQUIPMENT LIST
The following items are provided for your climbing day:
- Harness
- Helmet
- Climbing Equipment
- Ropes
- Backpack
- Camping Gear
CLOTHING
- Socks: thin hiking socks, wool or synthetic
- Bottoms: pants or shorts should be comfortable & allow the freedom of movement
- Top: synthetic or wool t-shirts, tank-tops or long sleeves - no cotton!
- Warm layer: nice to have along as the temperatures can vary with altitude and shade
- Warm Jacket: a down or synthetic - perfect for night time and early am start
- Rain Jacket: a waterproof jacket, in case of occasional afternoon rain showers
- Hats: one with brim to keep sun off your face and one for warmth
- Helmet (provided for you by AE)
OTHER ITEMS
- Water bottle
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen and lip balm: water/sweat-proof
- Toiletries, Personal first-aid kit: for your personal meds/needs
- Camera or Smartphone
- Water, Lunch/Snack food
Summers in Aspen tend to be warm and mild, but temperatures can easily drop as you head up in elevation, for example on Independence Pass. Rain/thunderstorms occasionally occur, more often than not in the afternoon rather than mornings. Rain gear will be essential if necessary. Participants will travel in the backcountry and should be prepared for any or all weather conditions.
Please contact us via phone at 970-925-7625 or email/form to determine the best date for you or to request more information. -
THE FIRST STEP
It is suggested that you maintain a good level of physical fitness, as these climbs are challenging. Exercise uphill with a moderate-sized pack. Go for long runs or bike rides - try to increase your cardiovascular health.
THE NEXT STEP
Colorado has 54 14,000-foot peaks! Let us help you summit the ones here in the Elk range, including North Maroon Peak, Pyramid Peak, Snowmass Peak and Castle Peak. We also guide Mount Elbert (the highest of the 54-14ers), and La Plata (the fifth highest).
Please contact us via phone at 970-925-7625 or email/form to determine the best date for you or to request more information. -
POLICIES
Booking/Cancellation policy:
AE requires a full credit card or cash/check payment to hold your reservation. If you choose to cancel within 7 days of a scheduled trip, you will be charged full price. Within 7-14 days of your trip, we would be happy to work out a date to reschedule. If you choose to cancel 2 weeks or more (3 weeks or more for multi-day trips of 5+ people) prior to your scheduled trip, you will receive a full refund. If your guide decides that weather makes your scheduled trip a no-go, we will work with you to reschedule, give you a credit, or refund your trip. Travel Guard insurance is available via our website homepage.
For weather and extenuating circumstances: if when you reach the trailhead and the guide calls the day off, you will be entitled to a full reschedule. If the trip begins (0-2 hours in), you will be charged for a full day hike, with a credit in the difference of price, which can go towards a rescheduled trip with us. After 2 hours into the day, full payment for the scheduled trip is due.
Risk Management
Please note: AEW's number one priority is your safety. Many conditions affect our guides' decisions in the mountains, including client fitness and comfort, weather conditions and route conditions. There are inherent hazards in mountain travel such as inclement weather, avalanches, rock fall, ice fall that our guides manage yet cannot eliminate. The combination of our guides' formal training and wealth of experience assures that their sound decision create an enjoyable and safe mountain experience. Aspen Expeditions reserves the right to turn around or change routes without refunds or credits under any conditions.
Please contact us via phone at 970-925-7625 or email/form to determine the best date for you or to request more information.
Maroon Bells Traverse
$ 1,100.00
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The Maroon Bells Traverse is considered by many to be one of the most difficult and technically challenging traverses from one 14er to another. Exposed ridges and ledges connect North Maroon Peak (14,014') to South Maroon Peak (14,156'). You will be moving securely through all "technical" terrain (5.6/7 climbing); your guide will have you roped up and use AMGA "short-roping" and "short-pitching" techniques. This is one of the most classic routes in the area, offering amazing 360 degree views of the central Elk Mountains. This is our longest single day outing. Client times can vary greatly but 10-14 hours car to car is common. We highly recommend rock climbing experience for this adventure. We can get you out with your peak guide for a short day of training before your Maroon Bells Traverse day, if needed.
Our AMGA trained and certified mountain guides will tailor a memorable, one-of-a-kind climbing adventure just for you!
Please contact us via phone at 970-925-7625 or email/form to determine the best date for you or to request more information. -
Duration: 1-day approach/climb
Location: The guide will be in touch with you the day before to determine your meeting place and any miscellaneous details. Please call 970-925-7625 for any questions.
Maximum Guide Ratio: 2:1
Fitness Level: You should maintain an overall general level of fitness as this climb is challenging. Rock Climbing experience is suggested for this technical, exposed traverse.
Includes: AMGA trained/certified mountain guide, use of all technical equipment (helmet, harness, climbing equipment, ropes, packs, etc.), use of all necessary camping gear, and a 3% USFS land use surcharge.
Not included: water, lunch/snack food
Please contact us via phone at 970-925-7625 or email/form to determine the best date for you or to request more information. -
Prep- Your guide will contact you the day before at the voice number you give us to discuss an appropriate plan for you and to confirm a meeting place and start time. The weather forecast will dictate start times. You will go over necessary gear to pack and meal planning. Think about what type of foods you want to eat while climbing in the backcountry and coordinate with your guide.
You will be provided with a helmet, harness, climbing equipment, ropes, a pack, and all necessary camping gear.
The Day - (Water, lunch/snacks are not included).
Please contact us via phone at 970-925-7625 or email/form to determine the best date for you or to request more information. -
CLIMBING EQUIPMENT LIST
The following items are provided for your climbing day:
- Harness
- Helmet
- Climbing Equipment
- Ropes
CLOTHING
- Socks: thin hiking socks, wool or synthetic
- Bottoms: pants or shorts should be comfortable & allow the freedom of movement
- Top: synthetic or wool t-shirts, tank-tops or long sleeves - no cotton!
- Warm layer: nice to have along as the temperatures can vary with altitude and shade
- Warm Jacket: a down or synthetic - perfect for night time and early am start
- Rain Jacket: a waterproof jacket, in case of occasional afternoon rain showers
- Hats: one with brim to keep sun off your face and one for warmth
- Helmet (provided for you by AE)
OTHER ITEMS
- Water bottle
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen and lip balm: water/sweat-proof
- Toiletries, Personal first-aid kit: for your personal meds/needs
- Camera or Smartphone
- Water, Lunch/Snack food
If you are missing a piece of gear, we have a selection of outdoor technical gear / backcountry supplies - at our retail shop at the base of Aspen Highlands - including the Summit Series from The North Face.
Summers in Aspen tend to be warm and mild, but temperatures can easily drop as you head up in elevation, for example on Independence Pass. Rain/thunderstorms occasionally occur, more often than not in the afternoon rather than mornings. Rain gear will be essential if necessary. Participants will travel in the backcountry and should be prepared for any or all weather conditions.
Please contact us via phone at 970-925-7625 or email/form to determine the best date for you or to request more information. -
THE FIRST STEP
It is suggested that you maintain a good level of physical fitness, as these climbs are challenging. Exercise uphill with a moderate-sized pack. Go for long runs or bike rides - try to increase your cardiovascular health.
THE NEXT STEP
Colorado has 58, 14,000-foot peaks! Let us help you summit the ones here in the Elk range, including South/North Maroon Peak, Pyramid Peak, Capitol Peak, Snowmass Peak, Castle Peak and Mount Elbert (the highest and one of the easier 14’ers).
Please contact us via phone at 970-925-7625 or email/form to determine the best date for you or to request more information. -
POLICIES
Booking/Cancellation policy:
AE requires a full credit card or cash/check payment to hold your reservation. If you choose to cancel within 7 days of a scheduled trip, you will be charged full price. Within 7-14 days of your trip, we would be happy to work out a date to reschedule. If you choose to cancel 2 weeks or more (3 weeks or more for multi-day trips of 5+ people) prior to your scheduled trip, you will receive a full refund. If your guide decides that weather makes your scheduled trip a no-go, we will work with you to reschedule, give you a credit, or refund your trip. Travel Guard insurance is available via our website homepage.
For weather and extenuating circumstances: if when you reach the trailhead and the guide calls the day off, you will be entitled to a full reschedule. If the trip begins (0-2 hours in), you will be charged for a full day hike, with a credit in the difference of price, which can go towards a rescheduled trip with us. After 2 hours into the day, full payment for the scheduled trip is due.
Risk Management
Please note: AEW's number one priority is your safety. Many conditions affect our guides' decisions in the mountains, including client fitness and comfort, weather conditions and route conditions. There are inherent hazards in mountain travel such as inclement weather, avalanches, rock fall, ice fall that our guides manage yet cannot eliminate. The combination of our guides' formal training and wealth of experience assures that their sound decision create an enjoyable and safe mountain experience. Aspen Expeditions reserves the right to turn around or change routes without refunds or credits under any conditions.
Please contact us via phone at 970-925-7625 or email/form to determine the best date for you or to request more information.