Who is eligible to take the SPI course?

You must be a Professional AMGA member, at least 18, have 12+ months climbing experience, trad lead experience with at least 15 routes, and be comfortable top-roping 5.8.

How long does the SPI certification last?

SPI certification lasts three years as long as you maintain AMGA membership and current first aid certification.

Check-in and meeting point is 4536 Greenlee Rd SW, Roanoke, Virginia—this is the listed Granite Arches meeting location.

Is equipment provided?

Granite Arches supplies some educational tools and demonstration hardware, but participants must bring their own personal climbing gear and first aid certification.

Re-certify by retaking the SPI assessment or by completing any higher-level AMGA course; maintain AMGA membership and first aid credentials.

Mastering Single-Pitch Instruction: AMGA SPI Course with Granite Arches in Roanoke

Q: What is the course format?

The SPI is a 27-hour course typically run as three consecutive nine-hour days or as day classes with evening sessions, combining classroom, demo, and field time.

At the edge of Roanoke, Virginia, Granite Arches runs an intensive Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) course that turns experienced climbers into confident, practical instructors. Meeting at 4536 Greenlee Rd SW in Roanoke, this three-day, 27-hour program is built around single-pitch crags typical of the Blue Ridge foothills and taught by Swis Stockton, an instructor praised by AMGA peers for an approachable, student-centered style. The SPI covers the essential scene for safe, effective single-pitch instruction: anchor building, V rig and N rig setups, backside top systems, extended direct systems, and site management for both top and bottom ropes. Granite Arches supplements hands-on practice on granite and mixed rock features with custom teaching aids—bolt blocks, laminated handouts, and staged demonstrations—so students can watch, try, and refine techniques under guided feedback. Expect focused modules on rope setup and anchoring, lead climbing skills, knots and hitches, 3:1, 5:1 and 7:1 hauling systems, pick-offs, counterbalance rappels, and client care. This is not a weekend cram; the course is a structured progression aimed at building pedagogy and risk management alongside technical skills. Participants prepare lesson plans, practice terrain assessment and guidebook interpretation, and rehearse rescue and evacuation scenarios relevant to single-pitch environments. The SPI is the only internationally recognized single-pitch instructor certification in the United States, and Granite Arches aligns its curriculum directly with AMGA standards so graduates walk away primed for the AMGA SPI Assessment. Prerequisites are specific: professional AMGA membership, at least 12 months climbing experience, traditional lead experience with 15 trad routes led, and comfortable top-roping at 5.8. Those requirements make the cohort advanced and peer-driven, so expect a mix of technical conversations and practical troubleshooting rather than basic fundamentals. Beyond skill drills, the course connects students to the local climbing ecology—how to manage bolts and anchors on granite faces, minimize impact on native flora, and make site decisions that respect access and land managers. Swis's emphasis on keeping learning positive, involving students in demonstrations, and explaining tradeoffs in techniques creates a classroom feel that happens on cliff faces. If you're an active climber ready to teach single-pitch crags, this SPI at Granite Arches in Roanoke is a succinct, practical route to stronger instruction skills and AMGA readiness. The program rewards preparation and curiosity: arrive fit, bring your logbook, and be ready to lead, teach, and manage real-world single-pitch scenarios. Check-in is at 4536 Greenlee Rd SW; the SPI runs three consecutive nine-hour days or as day classes with evening sessions. Bring your personal rack, helmet, harness, belay device, logbook, lunch, and current first aid certification. SPI certification lasts three years with maintained AMGA membership; re-certify by reassessment or by completing a higher-level AMGA course and arrive prepared for variable mountain weather.

About Granite Arches Climbing Guides

Granite Arches Climbing Guides is a Roanoke, Virginia-based outdoor education provider specializing in rock climbing instruction, single pitch instructor (SPI) courses, exam preparation, wilderness medicine, and technical self-rescue training. The company delivers private rock climbing lessons for all levels, structured SPI Class programs and SPI Exam preparation recognized by the UIAA, plus Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness Advanced First Aid courses. Instruction emphasizes practical skill development, risk management, and decision-making in natural settings.

Instructors include experienced, credentialed guides who lead small-group and one-on-one sessions with tailored coaching and clear teaching progressions. Course formats range from intensive multi-day SPI Class instruction to focused SPI Prep one-on-one coaching and two-day medical courses designed for outdoor leaders and trip staff. Rescue courses—Rock Self-Rescue I and II—cover belay escapes, hauling systems, lowering techniques, and scenario-based rescue drills for real-world readiness.

Granite Arches operates with professional equipment, UIAA-recognized certification pathways, and locally relevant expertise on the rock systems near Roanoke. Safety practices follow industry standards for climbing instruction and wilderness medicine, and training is suitable for recreational climbers, camp staff, and aspiring professional instructors. As a featured business on The Adventure Collective, Granite Arches connects learners to nationally recognized courses, practical field experience, and instructor-led assessment options. Prospective clients can expect transparent course descriptions, focused skill progression, and individualized coaching aimed at measurable improvement and greater on-site confidence. Scheduling accommodates private bookings and small groups, with clear prerequisites listed for each course, and flexible dates to support career development and seasonal outdoor programs year-round regionally.