The Top Rope Guide Course (TRG) is designed as a introductory level Top Rope rock climbing guide training program. No lead climbing is conducted during the TRG. This course provides the essential foundational guide skills needed to become a rock climbing guide while presenting rigorous practical top rope guiding and instructing skill paradigms. It is designed for experienced climbers looking to become climbing guides, for guides and instructors working primarily in Top Rope terrain, as well as for college rock climbing program leaders, rock climbing club leaders, youth rock climbing program leaders, or recreational rock climbers wishing to improve safety and efficiency in top rope terrain. All PCGI courses are designed for rock climbing in non-glacier terrain and do not address snow or ice travel.

The course teaches a variety of skills, strategies, and methods for both the technical top rope environment as well as creating a strong base for technical instruction, teaching techniques, group management, and other important concerns. The top rope course addresses both top and bottom-managed top rope guiding without leading in areas where clifftops can be accessed via 4th class or lower approaches. The training encompasses key techniques that are commonly used such as belayed rappels and top-managed belays for areas such as lake and sea cliffs, relevant rescue techniques, and technical instruction.

The course focuses on technical climbing and guiding skills, common guide and instruction techniques, managing clients, teaching, and pertinent rescue techniques. Classes are very hands on and practical with active discussions and student practice of all skills.

Instructor: John Skaggs

Cost: $520

Course Length: 3 days

Max Ratio: 6-1

Minimum 2 students

Top Rope Guide Course prerequisites:

1.  Significant prior top rope climbing experience of at least 1 year/12 months
2. Comfortable with top roping routes up to 5.7 (must be documented via the climbs roster of the registration form)
3. Capable of using traditional climbing gear (camming devices and stoppers) to build standard 3-piece traditional anchors as well as bolted anchors
4. Provide your own climbing gear and rack for building top rope anchors and setting up top ropes, including cams, stoppers, static anchor ropes (30-50 ft), 7mm cordalettes, and climbing ropes for use on course
5. Working knowledge of the following knots and hitches

• Figure-eight follow through
• Figure-eight on a bight
• Overhand on a bight
• Bowline
• Double Fisherman
• Clove hitch
• Friction hitches

Suggested gear list:

The following gear list is by no means prescriptive, only a recommendation.

• Climbing harness with belay loop
• Climbing helmet
• Standard free climbing rack, which should include a set of wired nuts, camming units, and other optional trad gear such as tri-cams, hexes, etc.
• 10-12 shoulder-length runners with carabiners
• 60-70 meter climbing rope
• Sticky rubber approach shoes
• Climbing shoes comfortable enough to wear all day in hot conditions
• Five Pear shaped large locking carabiners
• Two 18-21 foot long 7mm nylon cords (cordalette)
• Belay device (Gri-Gri, Reverso, ATC Guide)
• 40-65 ft. of 9.4-10.2 mm static line for extending anchors

*Note: Completing a PCGI training course does not constitute certification. In order to obtain PCGI certification individuals must pass a separate assessment for certification.

TOP ROPE GUIDE ASSESSMENT – You will need to schedule and pay for the assessment separately!

PCGI – Top Rope Guide Certification:

The PCGI TRG certification demonstrates competency and mastery of the essential skills for safely and efficiently creating a top or bottom-managed top rope site with traditional, natural, and bolted anchors.  A PCGI TRG demonstrates competency in top rope guided climbing in technical rock climbing environments which do not require short roping, short pitching or lead climbing. The PCGI TRG certification is a standardized top rope rock climbing guide certification and prepares the guide to work in the range of top rope environments found in the majority of climbing areas in the U.S.A. and beyond.

TRG Assessment – Prerequisites

1. Comfortably top rope 5.7 rock climbs during assessment (must be documented via the climbs roster of the registration form)
2. Completed PCGI TRG training, comparable or higher level course from another organization such as PCIA, AMGA, or in-house training of similar content.
3. Own and bring appropriate climbing gear for guided top rope rock climbing

Cost: $250

Length: 1 day

Max Ratio: 4-1

Minimum 2 students