Campus News
July 15th, 2025
GC's Hershey earns AMGA climbing certification
Training qualifies professor to teach single-pitch instructor course
Garrett College Professor Andy Hershey is now one of approximately 80 people in the United States credentialed to certify climbing instructors at the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) single-pitch level.
Boulder, CO – Professor Andy Hershey, director of Garrett College's Outdoor Leadership Adventure (OLA) Education program, recently earned a high-level American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) certification.
Hershey completed training – which took place in Boulder and El Dorado canyons – that allows him to certify climbing instructors at the AMGA's single-pitch level. He is now one of approximately 80 people in the U.S. with this certification.
"I'm sure we're one of the very few college programs in the country that can now offer that program and the AMGA climbing wall instructor certification in-house," said Hershey, who is also AMGA-certified to offer the climbing wall instructor (CWI) certification.
According to the AMGA, the Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) Program " teaches climbing instructors to proficiently facilitate and instruct... rock climbing in a single pitch setting."
Hershey noted a pitch refers to a section of a climbing route that can be completed using one rope length. A standard rope is typically around 60 to 70 meters (200 to 230 feet), so a pitch would generally be less than half that length to allow room for belaying.
Earning the certification was a multi-year effort on Hershey's part.
"I needed to take 17 days of AMGA courses and six days of AMGA exams and meet some other prerequisites just to take the certification course," said Hershey. "Five years ago I started working toward being able to do this."
The 50-year-old Hershey said the process stretched out due to "time, money and fitness."
"I should have taken these courses when I was 30 instead of 50," Hershey said with a laugh. "I was definitely the oldest person there."
Hershey said there were "lessons learned" through the process.
"I need to be much more consistent now with my training," said Hershey. "When I was 30 or 35, I could do some things just off the couch. That's a lot harder to do at 50."
Hershey said he prepared for the certification course with a "six-month training program, with especially hard routes the month prior" and he emphasized injury prevention throughout the training process.
"Injuries happen much more easily and take longer to heal the older you are," observed Hershey.
This certification will help Hershey expand training opportunities offered by the College.
"We've been trying to build the professional development side of the program," said Hershey, noting the ability to offer AMGA's instructor training "bumps us up to a higher level."
"This capability is an advantage to students in our program as well as graduates. It kind of raises the bar a bit for our professional development," said Hershey.
Hershey will be teaching two sections of the AMGA Single Pitch Instructor Course, the first one September 16-18 and the second October 17-19, both at Coopers Rock State Forest. The cost to participate is $650. To register, individuals may call 301.387.3069 or email cewd@garrettcollege.edu.
