Mountain Project Logo

In your opinion...what is the biggest obstacle to becoming a rock climbing guide?

Original Post
MaxJ · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2015 · Points: 0

Looking for insights from current guides, past guides, prospective guides! What makes the climb to the top so difficult? Was that cheesy??

Muscrat · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 3,625

Well, if you aren't a TFB...how will you live?
OR
(to paraphrase)
"If you have to ask, you can't afford it."

Jon Rhoderick · · Redmond, OR · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 966

Cost:
IFMGA certification now sits at $26,700 for 90 days of instruction if you don't count avalanche courses, living expenses, failed courses, medical courses. On an entry level guide wage thats pretty tough. Then you have potential burnout issues guiding the same routes over and over again, work related injury, time away from family, and other obstacles.

But its relatively easy to get in at a low skill level and work a few seasons to see if its right for you, and if it is your calling then none of those obstacles are that hard to overcome, there are scholarships for the AMGA and many guide companies subsidize education if you show them commitment.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
Post a Reply to "In your opinion...what is the biggest obstacle…"

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.