Education · 1 of 5

The path

Nobody hires you for a diploma. They hire you for certifications, judgment and days out.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 9 to 12

   Get outside constantly and keep a log of trips. A season of personal climbing, paddling or ski touring is worth more on an application than a grade.

2. 2

   Core certifications

   2 to 6 weeks of courses

   Wilderness First Responder plus CPR, then the safety certificate for your sport: swiftwater rescue for rivers, avalanche training for winter.

3. 3

   Assistant guide season

   1 to 2 seasons

   You carry the heavy bag, cook, drive the shuttle and watch. This is the real apprenticeship and it is paid, barely.

4. 4

   Lead guide

   After 1 to 3 seasons

   You run the trip and you own the decisions. Employers want a number of logged days before they hand you a group.

5. 5

   Professional certification, if you want the top

   Several years, part time

   The training and assessment courses run by AMGA (the American Mountain Guides Association) in rock, alpine and ski, or an outdoor leadership program from NOLS (the National Outdoor Leadership School).