Why Hire a guide?

Considering hiring a climbing guide? Here's why you should and what to look for in hiring a qualified guide!

Why hire a guide? The simplest answer; they are experts in what they do. From kayaking to ice and rock climbing, these are the folks spending hundreds of hours and years of their lives outside to prepare themselves to provide high quality experiences. Let's dive into why hiring a guide makes sense whether you're a seasoned climber or just getting started.

Quality instruction. If you're just getting started into the world of climbing you've seen a myriad of Tech Tip Tuesday videos that show the "how" but never the "why" or "when". Hiring a qualified expert will teach you how, why, and when to use certain skills. While they're climbing or building anchors you get to ask any questions and pick their brains on why they do it the way they do!

When watching them climb you get to see how an expert moves over the terrain. You get a front row seat when your guide explains how to swing your tools, kick your crampons, and move more efficiently. Guides are a captive audience, so ask as many questions as you can think of. We love it!

Local experts. Guides have the inside scoop. They know where every climb is, which is "in", which isn't, and what climbs are within your wheelhouse and which climbs will push your limits. Here in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore it is notoriously hard to find climbs and even easier to drop in on a climb that may not be climbable or above your pay grade. A local guide will get you to the climb, set up the anchors, flake all the ropes, and get you climbing much faster than you would on your own. We do it day in and day out!

Have you ever gone out and only climbed one or two routes before it gets dark? What happens when you get to a climb and someone has beaten you to it? Are you prepared to switch gears to a backup plan? A guide will be!

Certification. The American Mountain Guides Association is the most prominent certifying body in the United States for the sport of climbing. The AMGA sets standards for certification levels and a scope of practice. Each certification level comes with an exam that must be passed for certification. Hiring a certified Single Pitch Instructor, certified Ski Guide, or certified Alpine Guide gives you an idea of what that individual brings to the table in terms of the skills and experience they have. Seeking qualified instruction will accelerate your climbing and skill set to get you out climbing on your own!

A day to remember. A qualified guide is a climber by passion, and a mountain technician by trade. They continually hone their skills to craft unique and genuine experiences outdoors. When hiring a qualified and certified guide you can expect to get the most bang for your buck during your vacation or time away from every day life. We're honored to be part of those days that you'll remember for a life time!

They'll also know what the best snacks are and where to find the best beer afterwards!