As CMRCA celebrated our 8th birthday last month we reached a major milestone in our core value of staff training and development. We had the privilege of bringing Mark Hammond, a senior instructor with the American Mountain Guides Association and the Colorado Mountain School, to Chiang Mai to teach two Single Pitch Instructor courses.
Each course lasted three days and covered a broad range of topics, from teaching skills and risk management to leading on traditional gear and practicing assisted rescues on base- and top-managed climbing sites.
All of our guides completed the training with a new understanding of all the factors that go into being a great climbing instructor. This is the first time an AMGA course has been offered in Thailand.
We are now entering the practice phase. CMRCA is looking forward to welcoming Mark back next year to perform the SPI exam. This first Single Pitch Instructor training was the first step towards one of our key staff development projects, creating an exchange program with the Colorado Mountain School.
CMRCA extends a sincere thanks to “Ajan” (professor) Mark and the AMGA for helping us raise the standard of rock climbing guiding in Thailand and assisting us in creating a sustainable and responsible climbing community in Chiang Mai.
Climb ON!
