The mission of the American Climbing Institute (ACI) is to introduce and train traditional recreational climbers in the techniques and skills used by professional guides. We call our approach “Professional Strength Training for Citizen Climbers”. Our goal is to cultivate a professional guide’s awareness of risk and problem solving skills in every student we teach, irrespective of whether they intend to make guiding a career.

The tools and techniques that guides use every day with their clients are very useful for recreational climbers. ACI believes that there doesn’t have to be much difference in the thought processes and tools that guides use and those that a recreational climber uses.

We offer training in all aspects of traditional rock climbing. We have three training programs within ACI; Citizen Climber, Citizen Guide, Education for Professionals. Each school is unique and uses cutting edge techniques to enhance your learning. In addition, we offer Private Guiding services if you have specific route desires or specific curriculum requirements.

We want to empower you to make good decisions on the rock. If you practice the new tools and techniques we show you, all aspects of your climbing will be enhanced. Our training will heighten your thought processes, decrease your anchor construction time, and increase the speed with which your team moves up and down the rock. We guarantee it.
Single Pitch Climbing Instructor