In April of 2019, CMRCA guide Surachet (Add) Kongsingh became the first SE Asian to be certified as a Rock Guide with the AMGA. It is the summit achievement of a lengthy process that began in 2003 with an idea to elevate standards for guiding in Thailand. Add has been part of that process and has devoted himself throughout the years to continue to develop as a guide learning and practicing the necessary skills to reach such a lofty goal and setting an example for generations to come.
When Add called me to share the news, I couldn’t help but well up with tears of joy. Add joined the CMRCA family as a young student studying physical education with no knowledge or experience in climbing. Since then, Add has lived and breathed our core values especially Seek Growth & Development. He has devoted himself to continued growth and development putting himself in difficult situations, sacrificing much to follow his passion. Add has worked as a climbing and caving guide, he has bolted and developed routes, provided first aid trainings and participated in the Tham Luang Cave Rescue in July of 2018. More than 10 years since his first exposure to climbing, Add has set an example for what is possible if you set lofty goals and make sacrifices to achieve them. As Add has achieved each summit, he has looked beyond the summit to the next challenge, the next peak, fully embodying a spirit of progression, to move steadily to a more advanced state or place. Throughout the years we have shared many adventures including climbing the Grand Teton, bolting new routes in Thailand and working together during the Thai Cave Rescue. Add’s completion of the AMGA Rock Guide program is inspiring and sets the stage for the next generation to climb the next peak.
In addition to becoming an AMGA Rock Guide, Add is also a certified WEMT (Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician) and Instructor with WMA (Wilderness Medical Associates), a certified Climbing Wall Instructor (CWI) with the CWA (Climbing Wall Association) and is certified as a Technical Rope Rescue Technician (TRRT) and Swift Water Rescue Technician (SRT) with Rescue3 International.
Congratulations Add and thank you for sharing your passion with our organization and community. We can’t wait to see where your progression takes you and look forward to working with you as you climb your next summit.
