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Greetings!
I hope this email finds you well and enjoying summer. We have a whole lot going on here at the AMGA, however we still find time to get outside and have some fun.
It is with a heavy heart that we report the tragic loss of Jonny Copp, Micah Dash and Wade Johnson. Our thoughts are with their family and friends. Below you will find more information on this sorrowful event.
Also, in this E~Newsletter you will find a wealth of information - renew your membership and take advantage of our new online database; many thanks goes out to those who attend the Pete Takeda fundraiser; AMGA welcomes a new partner, Mountain Athlete; mark your calendars for the 2009 Annual Meeting & round table discussion; CAMP USA is having a blowout sale; and lastly, the AMGA added two new Rock Instructor Exams to this years program schedule.
With that said, please read on...enjoy....and be well!
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Jonny, Micah, and Wade...you will be dearly missed!
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 We have lost many great souls in the world of climbing and unfortunately we lost three more.
The search began for three Boulder, Colorado climbers on June 3 after
they missed their flight from Chengdu, China. They were
attempting a new route on Mount Edgar (6,618 meters/21,712 feet) in the
Minya Konka area of China's Sichuan province.
On June 11, 2009, the bodies of climber Jonathan Copp (35) and
videographer Wade Johnson (24) were removed from a broad gulley among
avalanche debris on the southeast f ace of Mount Edgar. The body of the
third missing climber, Micah Dash (32) was not located during this past
week-long search.
Though future efforts to locate the third climber might be possible,
the uniquely hazardous location, continual avalanches, and
deteriorating weather guaranteed by the approaching monsoon season have
for now, eliminated any safe, successful search for Dash.
 A memorial service for the climbers is being planned in Boulder,
Colorado though a date has yet to be set. A fund is being established
in memory of the three climbers. Stay tuned to
http://adventurefilm.org/ for details, up-to-date information, and to
contribute to the search and recovery efforts and memorial fund.
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Renew your Membership
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Renew your membership, maintain your certification, and support you association!
As we all know, times are tough but with all that is going on, the AMGA is growing and thriving. We are always working to improve your guides association and with new developments comes refined processes, new features and an improved database. Wherever you are, you will now be able to access your membership and program information via the web.
To take full advantage of your
AMGA Membership please make sure you are current and all your contact
information is up to date. And remember that in order
for your certification to remain valid your AMGA Membership must be
current.
Outlined below are our new online database features. To access the following membership components visit www.my.amga.com :
Renew your membership
Update your contact information
Register for a program
Download program forms
Make program tuition, membership, and merchandise payments online (coming soon)
Review your course/exam evaluation
To update your membership status, please remit payment via check or credit card to:
AMGA Membership Dues
PO Box 1739
Boulder, CO 80306
303.271.0984
(Include Membership level with payment)
OR
Please feel free to call the office and we can process your renewal over the phone with a Visa or Mastercard.
Ph: 303.271.0984
Thank you for your continued support of the AMGA and guiding
and instruction in the US.
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A Very Successful Evening with Pete Takeda
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 The AMGA would like to extend a very special thank you to Pete Takeda and the Front Range climbing community for joining together to honor Jonny, Micah, and Wade.
The Pete Takeda Slide Show presentation on June 6, 2009 was orginally created to honor Pete Takeda and his book AN EYE AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD. However, with the recent news of tragically loosing three amazing climbers, the event appropiately became a tribute to Jonny, Micah, and Wade. Over 80 people showed up to support the rescue team sent over to China as well as to mourn this great loss.
A very special thanks also goes out to Patton Boggs, Marmot, John & Patty Bicknell, Clint Cook, King Grant, Peter & Christine Gould, Adam Fox, Karl Kister & Mary Caukins, Kyle & Cindy Lefkoff, Jim & Chris Pearson, Scott & Catherine Soden, John & Bridget Winsor. We could not have done this event without your support!
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Mountain Athlete - A New Partner of the AMGA!
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Mountain Athlete trains mountain athletes using a no-nonsense, sport-specific intense training regime at gyms in Jackson, Wyoming and Boulder, Colorado. Mountain Athlete programming develops raw strength, work capacity, metabolic conditioning and explosive power. They train their athletes to be strong, fast and mentally tough. Several AMGA Certified Guides and other mountain professionals train at their facilities not only to improve mountain performance, but build durability and increase career longevity.
As a new partner of the AMGA Mountain Athlete is pleased to offer a 50% discount to AMGA Certified Guides to train at the Mountain Athlete facilities.
Interested? Surf to www.mtnathlete.com to learn more about their cutting edge approach to mountain fitness.
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AMGA Annual Meeting ~ Moab, UT
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Mark your calendars, buy your plane ticket or pack your truck and get ready for some splitter cracks! We have officially set the dates for the 2009 Annual Meeting in Moab, UT.
2009 Annual Meeting Schedule ~ Moab, UT
Oct. 24-26 - WFR Recertification
Oct. 25-26 - Leave No Trace trainer course
Oct. 27 - Technical Committee Meeting
Oct. 28 - Board of Directors Climbing Day, Round Table Meeting
Oct. 29 - BOD Meeting, Professional Development
Clinics, & Opening Night Event
Oct. 30 - Professional Development Clinics & Annual Meeting
Main Event
Oct. 31 - Professional Development Clinics & Guide Olympics
Nov. 1-2 - Instructor Pool Training
The AMGA Annual Meeting is a time-honored tradition that brings together the largest gathering of American mountain guides and climbing instructors. It is the perfect opportunity for AMGA Members and guides to participate in professional development clinics, share ideas, discuss current issues and celebrate the guiding community.
We look forward to seeing you in Utah this fall!
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Join us for a Round Table Meeting at this years Annual Meeting in MOAB - Oct. 28th
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The AMGA is excited to announce that we will be adding a round table meeting for guides to the Annual Meeting agenda. This meeting will be open to all and will include an information session on the work of the AMGA and the Certified Guides Federation and an open air discussion on the issues at large affecting the guiding profession. The meeting will be held on October 28th from 4-6 p.m, location TBA.
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
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CAMP ~ Technical Adventure Equipment
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CAMP USA Announces Spring Warehouse Sale
Broomfield, CO
The late season dumps are over, spring is in full effect and with it the climbing season. Launch into the season with new gear at great prices. The sale will be in full effect from 8-5 each day.
What: Hundreds of closeouts, overstocks and samples on sale. Killer deals on harnesses, carabiners, protection, axes, crampons, helmets, packs, backcountry ski gear and other climbing and alpine equipment.
Where: 580 Burbank St, Ste 105, Broomfield, CO 80020
When: 8-5 daily - Sat, June 20- Mon, June 22
Why: Becuase you need gear and CAMP USA has it
For more information please contact CAMP USA at
www.camp-usa.com
climbing@camp-usa.com
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AMGA Program Update
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Two new Rock Instructor Exams added :
R15: RIE - N. Conway, NH Art Mooney 7/12-17 2:1 $1,600
R16: RIE - N. Conway, NH Art Mooney 8/16-21 2:1 $1,600
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Be well, climb safe and enjoy!
Katie
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