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Mid Week AMGA SPI Assessment @ the Gunks October 1-2

Bill Kirby · · Keene New York · Joined Jul 2012 · Points: 480
Em Cos wrote:There's a lot I don't know about the AMGA, I readily admit that. But something that rubs me the wrong way is their requirement that you take their course before you can take their certification test, even though they themselves have made them separate things that you pay for individually. If I have the skills and knowledge to pass the assessment, why should it matter if I gained those skills and knowledge from an AMGA course or through my own experience? If I can't pass, then I've only wasted my own time and money. Requiring you take their course seems like it can only be financially motivated.
I can understand your concern for the SPI or CWI. The rest of the certs sound pretty crazy. Some ofthe guides I've hired have told their experiences of the test. For example, a 3 day trek over the Northern Cascades with instructor watching and judging your every decision. Every guide (I'm not name dropping) who's told me the story said the tests were very stressful. It sounds like you would wanna take the assessment first. It would be like writing 100 posts, starting 10 threads on MP and Zappatista proofreads them all.
Stagg54 Taggart · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2006 · Points: 10
Bill Kirby wrote: I can understand your concern for the SPI or CWI. The rest of the certs sound pretty crazy. Some ofthe guides I've hired have told their experiences of the test. For example, a 3 day trek over the Northern Cascades with instructor watching and judging your every decision. Every guide (I'm not name dropping) who's told me the story said the tests were very stressful. It sounds like you would wanna take the assessment first. It would be like writing 100 posts, starting 10 threads on MP and Zappatista proofreads them all.
I think a large part of it, from talking to some people who have taken the SPI, is that it's a lot about doing it the AMGA way.

In other words: In the class they teach a very specific way of doing things (setting up a rappell for example). There are many ways to do this safely, but the AMGA teaches a specific way (and i'm sure they have their reasons for why their way is better). There are specific things they are looking for when they give the test. You may do something different that is perfectly safe but not pass because it is not exactly what they are looking for.

They need to have some criteria for their test to make it objective (ie. some boxes to check) and that comes from the class. Taking class is an inside look at exactly what they are looking for on the test.

At least that is my understanding... I'm sure someone else here can chime in with a more informed opinion.
Tico · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 0
Stagg54 wrote: I think a large part of it, from talking to some people who have taken the SPI, is that it's a lot about doing it the AMGA way. In other words: In the class they teach a very specific way of doing things (setting up a rappell for example). There are many ways to do this safely, but the AMGA teaches a specific way (and i'm sure they have their reasons for why their way is better). There are specific things they are looking for when they give the test. You may do something different that is perfectly safe but not pass because it is not exactly what they are looking for. They need to have some criteria for their test to make it objective (ie. some boxes to check) and that comes from the class. Taking class is an inside look at exactly what they are looking for on the test. At least that is my understanding... I'm sure someone else here can chime in with a more informed opinion.
You couldn't be more wrong. There is specifically no "AMGA way", and there hasn't been in the last ten years. It's a myth perpetuated by the butt-hurt who fail exams.
Stagg54 Taggart · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2006 · Points: 10
Tico wrote: You couldn't be more wrong. There is specifically no "AMGA way", and there hasn't been in the last ten years. It's a myth perpetuated by the butt-hurt who fail exams.
I stand corrected.

Although the people I talked to passed the exam so I don't think it has anything to do with butt-hurt.

They just said it would be very hard to pass the exam without taking the class, because there were a lot of little things they taught in the class that they were looking for on the exam that you might not know to do if you didn't take the class.
coppolillo · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 70

I wrote something about this a few months back:

elevationoutdoors.com/blogs…

Tico's abso right...no "AMGA way"...so long as it's safe, efficient, maintains/improves client experience....you're good to go....

Some of the reason one may no longer "challenge" exams (just taking the exam without the courses) is there were so many absolutely abysmal exam experiences, not to mention unsafe situations for co-candidates and examiners. People were showing up in no way prepared for the exams....that's some of it.

The rest is just a scheme so the AMGA staff can go heli-skiing twice every year, once in NZ, the other in AK.

I'm joking. Please, honestly, I'm joking!

Good discussion, gentlemen (what are the chances there are any ladies reading this...?)...no one's been humiliated, insulted, or called out just yet.

Back to the original point, though: take this dude's SPI! Get your SPI cert!

RC

Tico · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 0

Rob Coppolillo, GFY. There's a call out and insult. I'd attempt humiliation, but you are obviously a man without shame.

Stagg54 Taggart · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2006 · Points: 10

I just saw this posted on their website. I found it very interesting.

amga.com/wp-content/uploads…

It appears some of my criticisms (particularly about making money) were off-base...

M Mobley · · Bar Harbor, ME · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 911
Tico wrote: You couldn't be more wrong. There is specifically no "AMGA way", and there hasn't been in the last ten years. It's a myth perpetuated by the butt-hurt who fail exams.
Tico wrote:Rob Coppolillo, GFY. There's a call out and insult. I'd attempt humiliation, but you are obviously a man without shame.
you sound a bit "butt-hurt", take a deep breath, relax.
Em Cos · · Boulder, CO · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 5
coppolillo wrote:Good discussion, gentlemen (what are the chances there are any ladies reading this...?)
If you mean "what are the chances there are any females reading this?" Then that is both naive and probably insulting... (why, exactly, are females unlikely to be reading this?)

If you mean "what are the chances there are any *ladies* reading this?" Then I'd say probably about as minuscule as the chances there are any gentlemen reading it.
;)
coppolillo · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 70

i heart Tico...some days it's hard, but i heart Tico. it's a mantra i chant.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northeastern States
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