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American Hiking Guides Association

American Hiking Guides AssociationAmerican Hiking Guides AssociationAmerican Hiking Guides Association

American Hiking Guides Association

American Hiking Guides AssociationAmerican Hiking Guides AssociationAmerican Hiking Guides Association
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Programs & Courses

Hiking Guide Program

Day hiking on Class I to IV terrain in a non-winter environment. This is an entry level course.

Course Description

$250.00 USD

This 2 day/18 hour (not an overnight) program is designed for guides who operate on terrain up to Class IV. The Hiking Guide Course does not cover travel on terrain above Class IV, snow covered or glaciated environments.

The training includes, but is not limited to, client and pace management, stewardship and access issues, permit processes, special needs clients, guides pack construction and use, class IV negotiating and physical conditioning. 

Prerequisites

  • CPR/AED certification
  • Wilderness First Aid certification
  • Wilderness/Land Navigation experience - Must be fluent in map and compass skills
  • Wilderness Survival experience - Must be competent in all four elements of survival (Fire, Shelter, Water, Food)
  • Leave No Trace awareness certification - https://lnt.org/get-involved/training-courses/online-courses/
  • 1 year of hiking experience


If you'd like to register for a course, visit our calendar: Calendar


Ice Hiking Guide Program

Ice hiking on Class I to IV terrain in a winter environment.

Course Description

$250.00 USD

This 2 day/18 hour (not an overnight) program is designed for winter ice hiking guides who operate on terrain up to Class IV in a winter environment. The Ice Hiking Guide Course does not cover travel on terrain above Class IV. The training includes, but is not limited to, client and pace management on permanent and non-permanent snow covered terrain, ice terrain route plan, permit processes, Special needs clients, guide's pack construction and use, class IV negotiating and physical conditioning.

Prerequisites

  • One of the following or equivalent: AHGA certified Hiking Guide, Adirondack 46'er, Catskill 3500 Club
  • CPR/AED certification
  • Wilderness First Aid certification
  • Wilderness/Land Navigation experience - Must be fluent in map and compass skills
  • Winter Wilderness Survival experience - Must be competent in all four elements of survival (Fire, Shelter, Water, Food) in a wi
  • Leave No Trace awareness certification - https://lnt.org/get-involved/training-courses/online-courses/
  • Winter hike resume for review

Backpacking Guide/Mountain Leader Program

Multi-day travel on Class I to IV terrain in a non-winter environment. This is an entry level course.

Course Description

$500.00 USD

The Backpacking Guide program is for guides operating for overnights or multiple days on Class I to IV terrain in a non-winter environment on non-glaciated terrain. This is the first stage in becoming a Mountain Leader. After registering into this program you will be issued a logsheet where you must log 40 "mountain days" before enrolling in a course. This course is 4 to 5 days, depending upon the providers format, but is a minimum of 65 hours.

Prerequisites

  • CPR/AED certification
  • Wilderness Advanced First Aid certification
  • State Food Handler's license
  • Swiftwater Awareness
  • Bear Safety Awareness
  • Wilderness/Land Navigation experience - Must be fluent in map and compass skills 
  • Wilderness Survival experience - Must be competent in all four elements of survival (Fire, Shelter, Water, Food)
  • Leave No Trace Trainer
  • 40 Quality Mountain Days to include 8 overnight trips
  • 2 years of backpacking experience


Winter Mountain Leader

Single day or multi-day travel on Class I to IV non-permanent or permanent snow covered terrain in winter environments (non-glaciated).

Course Description

$250.00 USD

This 5 day course is for guides operating in winter environments. This course covers snow travel on Class I to IV terrain and ice travel on Class I to III terrain. All of the equipment used to negotiate this terrain with clients or groups will be instructed during this course. Some course content includes (but is not limited to) fixed lines, traction methods, avalanche awareness, roped travel, axe & crampon use and much more. 

Prerequisites

  • CPR/AED certification
  • Wilderness First Responder certification
  • AHGA Backpacking Guide certification or equivalent
  • AIARE Level I & II
  • Leave No Trace Trainer
  • 20 Quality Winter Mountain Days to include 4 overnight trips

Backcountry Water Safety

A great course for any guide!

Course Description

$250.00 USD

During this 3 day/24 hour course you'll learn all of the skills necessary to respond to any water related event in a lake, river, or similar environment. As a guide, you should be able to respond to any issue that may come about while traveling in the backcountry with clients. Lifeguard, swiftwater and various other rescue skills are taught during this course. 

Prerequisites

  • CPR/AED
  • Basic First Aid
  • 18 years of  age or older


Backcountry Food Handler's License

If you're providing a food service to backcountry travelers, then you'll highly benefit from this course.

Course Description

$69.00 USD

During this 6 hour course you'll learn the proper procedures for preparing, storing, traveling with and cooking food in a backcountry setting using backcountry equipment and skills. This course is for hiking & backpacking guides who regularly prepare meals for participants.  

Prerequisites

  • 18 years of age or older
  • Current state food handler's license


Assessment Information

Each program has an assessment that must be taken to gain certification. Course completion does not grant a certification. Below is all of the assessment information.

Hiking Guide

$175.00 USD

4 hour assessment with a written exam. This can be conducted after your course with proper notification to the course provider and instructor. This is an examination of your skills. 

Backpacking Guide/Mountain Leader

3 day assessment with a written exam. This assessment is conducted during a 3 day backpacking trip in a designated location with active clients. You will be assessed by two instructors while you guide your clients on a 3 day backpacking trip. You must have successfully completed a Backpacking Guide/Mountain Leader course and have acquired and logged 20 quality "mountain days" after taking the course along with any post course training requirements. 

Winter Mountain Leader

3 day assessment in a winter environment. This assessment is conducted during a 3 day winter mountaineering trip in a designated location with active clients. You will be assessed by two instructors while you guide your clients on a 3 day winter backpacking/mountaineering day trip on varying terrain.  

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