Thursday, October 8, 2009

ACMG Alpine Guide


It is official. I am now a fully certified ACMG Alpine guide, which means I can guide anything climbing related including rock, ice and alpine. I never have to do another course or exam if I don't want to (but I probably will in order to become a ski guide and thus a international mountain guide....). I began the process in 2005 and the sailing was smooth until my full alpine exam last summer. Despite my marking card not adding up to a fail (by the definition in the course outline), I was failed. Confused, I sought counsel from friends who used to be examiners and they agreed it did not make sense. I appealled my mark (a long and wearisome affair that has its own pitfalls) and was awarded a re-test (cost of which covered by the ACMG and TRU) on the day-in-question. They gave me two days out of which only the best day was counted (both days were all P's anyways). That replaced the screwed up day on my marking card. Ironically, with the new marking scheme, I could have messed up both days (got a bunch of M's and F's) and still passed. Essentially, a contrived hoop to leap through. On the positive side, it was a solid two days out with a knowledgeable and respected examiner/mountain guide where I received excellent feedback and coaching at no cost to me. Still a little bitter? Yes. Glad it is over? Definitely!

5 comments:

Monika said...

Congrats man. I'll for sure send people your way who are looking for guided outings.

Monika said...

Weird...i don't know who monika is...but this is Gordon...

Sean Isaac said...

She must be your alter-ego?

Unknown said...

Sean, next time you need to appeal an administrative decision like that - let me know - i'll help if i can.

Shaun Fluker

U of C Faculty of Law

Terry Lipovski said...

Congrats Sean! Its been many years since we would go cragging with you and Howie at Back O' Da Lake or run into you in Yosemite or Squamish (I still recall Shawn's forehead injury from removing a piton lol). Great to see you as a full Guide now. If anyone I know deserves it, it is you. Best wishes buddy!

Terry Lipovski
tlipovski@mac.com