One of the skills that instructors learn in an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor program is how to manage an array of technical lowers. In this video, we can see SPI candidates lowering people with a munter-hitch, backed up by a friction hitch.
The AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) program is a foundational certification for teaching climbing on single-pitch terrain. Designed by the American Mountain Guides Association, it emphasizes effective instruction and risk management for climbers on routes that don’t exceed one rope length. Candidates learn technical skills like anchor building, belay systems, and movement coaching, but also how to communicate clearly, assess terrain, and manage groups. The course blends practical scenarios with teaching methodology, ensuring graduates can foster climber confidence while minimizing hazards. Widely respected in guiding and outdoor education, the SPI cert opens doors for professional instructing at crags, climbing gyms, and outdoor programs.