Our Journey to SPI Certification: July 2026 at Red River Gorge
We have some exciting news to share! This July, we’ll both be taking our Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) certification course right here at Red River Gorge—the place we call our home crag.
Why SPI Certification Matters
After 9 years of climbing together, across everything from sport routes in France to trad lines at RRG, we’ve reached a point where we want to give back to the climbing community. The SPI certification through the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) is the gold standard for single-pitch climbing instruction in the United States.
This certification will allow us to:
- Professionally teach rock climbing fundamentals
- Guide single-pitch climbs with proper risk management protocols
- Help climbers transition from gym to outdoor climbing safely
- Share our passion for RRG with beginners and intermediate climbers
Why Now?
The timing feels perfect. We’ve been climbing consistently for nearly a decade, we have a nearly 4-year-old son (Ezra) who’s just starting his own climbing journey, and we’re more passionate than ever about sharing this sport with others.
Tyler’s background as a Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in pelvic health adds a unique dimension to our instruction. She brings evidence-based movement coaching and injury prevention expertise that you won’t find with most climbing guides. Combined with my systematic approach from years as a software engineer, we complement each other well as teaching partners.
The Course: What to Expect
The SPI course is intensive—several days of training covering:
- Risk management and decision-making frameworks
- Technical systems for single-pitch terrain
- Teaching techniques for diverse learning styles
- Site management and group dynamics
- Rescue scenarios and emergency protocols
We’ll be assessed on our ability to:
- Set up top-rope anchors safely and efficiently
- Teach belay techniques effectively
- Manage groups of climbers at a single-pitch crag
- Make sound judgment calls about terrain and conditions
Beyond SPI: Our Long-Term Goals
SPI is just the beginning. After completing this certification, we plan to:
- Launch Ascent Climbing Company (soft launch in August 2026)
- Complete wilderness survival certification to enhance our backcountry skills
- Guide on weekends while maintaining our day jobs (for now!)
- Eventually pursue Rock Guide certification as we gain more experience
Our dream is to make Red River Gorge more accessible to climbers of all backgrounds—especially:
- Total beginners who’ve never touched rock
- Gym climbers ready to transition outdoors
- Families who want to introduce their kids to climbing
- Women seeking climbing instruction with pelvic health considerations
- Injured climbers working on movement rehabilitation
Red River Gorge: Our Classroom
There’s something special about getting certified at your home crag. RRG has been our training ground for years—we know the rock, we know the ethics, we know the community. This sandstone (well, technically limestone) has taught us patience, humility, and respect for the natural world.
The Red is known for its steep, pocketed limestone routes, incredible fall colors, and welcoming climbing community. It’s the perfect place to learn to guide. We’ve climbed everything from moderate 5.8s at Muir Valley to pumpy 5.12s at the Motherlode, and we can’t wait to share these classics with our future clients.
What This Means for You
If you’ve been following our journey or considering hiring a climbing guide at RRG, here’s what this means:
- Quality instruction: AMGA certification ensures we meet professional standards
- Safety first: We’ll have formal training in risk management and rescue
- Insurance: Professional liability coverage will be in place
- Comprehensive approach: Tyler’s PT expertise + climbing instruction = injury prevention focus
- Local knowledge: Years of climbing at RRG means we know the best routes for your skill level
Stay Tuned
We’ll be documenting our SPI journey throughout the course and sharing updates on what we’re learning. If you’re interested in climbing with us once we’re certified, join our mailing list or follow us on Instagram @ascentclimbing.
We’re also offering special rates for friends and family during our soft launch in August 2026—a chance to test our instruction before we officially open bookings in September.
The Excitement is Real
After years of talking about “someday guiding,” we’re finally doing it. This July will be a milestone in our climbing careers, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring professional instruction back to the Red River Gorge community.
Whether you’re a total beginner or an intermediate climber looking to refine your skills, we hope to climb with you soon at RRG!
Stay safe, climb strong, and we’ll see you on the rock.
—Josh & Tyler
Have questions about our certification or interested in booking a guided climb for late 2026? Get in touch or check out our services.