HUMBLE PIE

New River Mountain Guides is a climbing school owned and run by active rock climbers. Our instructors are accomplished climbers in their own right, but you'll probably never hear them brag about it unless pressed. It isn't enough for our instructors to be a "strong rock climber or a cool guy/gal." They also have to be great teachers with a positive attitude, who are able to connect with our clients not only professionally but personally.

 

Our instructors are here to help mentor you through your learning experience. You won't be treated as anything less than equal because we were all new climbers once and our goal is to not just take you climbing, it's to teach you how to do it on your own and do so safely.

 

ALWAYS LEARNING

The climbing guide who thinks he/she knows everything has no place in our ranks, it's just plain dangerous. Our guides are required to be certified by the American Mountain Guide Association and undergo a training process when hired. This ensures our standards of practice are the highest possible and that our programs are taught with consistency across the board.

 

Our guides are always continuing their own education with regular training days throughout the season to keep their skills sharp. We evaluate their performance throughout the season too, because how good or bad a job they do reflects on us all.

 

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR

The cheapest isn't necessarily the safest. What is the cost of the trip? Is a cheaper price really worth the risk? See the checklist below when hiring a climbing guide or instructor.

 

There are companies who offer rock climbing services, but ask yourself what kind of experience you're looking for. Do you want the "Big Box, cookie-cutter, one-size fits all approach" or would you benefit more from a personalized learning experience from a smaller company.

 

HOW TO CHOOSE A CLIMBING GUIDE

Choose a guide that is certified by the American Mountain Guide Association. The AMGA's guide training programs are the only ones recognized internationally by the UIAA because they adhere to a standard that is above and beyond other certifying organizations.

 

Many guide services may claim to be "professional" or "experienced" guides, but a simple checklist of questions to ask yourself and the guide service should make the decision an obvious one.

 

NRMG easily exceeds all of the requirements below.

• Ask about guide training. Will your guide have AMGA (American Mountain Guides Association) training certification?

• Ask about client-to-guide ratios: are they small or large?

• Does your guide have medical training?

• Do they use quality gear and keep it in tip-top condition?

• What is the company's safety record?

• Seek experience: good companies retain seasoned guides. Good guides should have several years of field experience with clients.

• Ask to see the resumes of your guide. Ask specifically who your guides will be, their number of years of guiding experience, and where they have guided.

• A reputable guide service should have decent liability insurance coverage.

• Do they hold permits to guide in the area you are seeking. A permitted guide service is required to meet all of these criteria and is more accountable for their business practices.