Monday, August 29, 2011

No Body Does a Hurricane like New Jersey Does a Hurricane!


Acadia Mountain guides is in Princeton, NJ this weekend facilitating a Professional Climbing Instructors Association (PCIA) course!  That's right, hurricane or no hurricane you cannot stop the PCIA from training new guides in the way of the rope...

After two days of serious weather the PCIA Base Managed Top Rope Sight Manager Course pushes on.  This course focuses on skills needed to set up top-rope climbs that are managed from below, and facilitate student involvement with belay techniques, rescue skills and team building initiatives.  This is the second step of curriculum to gaining certification through the PCIA. 

For more information on the PCIA visit: Professional Climbing Instructors Association or Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School

Skies may crack and rivers may swell, but there is no stopping the citizens of Princeton!

Wish us all luck and a safe return to Maine.

Ande Kahora

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Only Downtime You Get...

Well once again it is raining here in Bar Harbor.  It seems the only time one can find to sit down and type is on a rainy day.

It has been a busy few weeks here on the island as Acadia Mountain Guides wrapped up our 2011 Summer Climbing Camps.  Additionally, we have entered into the beginning of August, which tends to be our busiest time of summer.  Everyone is trying to get in their last minute vacations before school and work start up again!

Our Rock Pro 4 camp spent the last week learning how to lead climb on traditional gear.  Many of our campers come with little or no experience with traditional climbing, but by the end of the week they are crushing it!  Traditional climbing combines the mental pressure of finding your route and placing good gear with the physical pressure of pushing what your body can handle.  It is an amazing mix of skills with incredible pay-offs!

Our regular guiding season has been chock full of people looking to taste the unique climbing around Acadia National Park.  Regular people are pushing their physical and mental boundaries on the rocky terrain of the islands coast.  Some people experience the thrill of leaning backwards over a 60ft cliff as they start their first ever rappel.  Other people experience the nervous unknown of stepping up to their first 5.10!

The climbing season here in Acadia is beginning to wind down.  If you haven't made it out to visit and go climbing yet, do it soon!  September is the best time of the year to climb in Acadia.  No crowds, perfect temps, solid rock and great times await all you would-be climbing animals!

KEEP CLIMBING
Ande



Saturday, August 6, 2011

When It Rains It Pours!

If it's not rain, it's heat.  If it's not heat, it's people.  When Bar Harbor is in full swing you can always bet on a ton of something!

It has been awhile since our last posting...but for good reason.  Acadia Mountain Guides (AMG) is blowing up!  Our guides have been working tirelessly to get people out on their first or latest climbing trips in Acadia and all over the North East.  It has been hard to catch your breath these days.

Acadia Mountain Guides offers Half Day (4hrs) and Full Day (8hrs) trips into Acadia National Park on a daily basis.  Visitors to Bar Harbor have been taking full advantage of our beautiful island and park all summer long.

Climbing Wonder Wall at Otter Cliffs

Not only daily trips, but AMG offers week long camps for kids starting at the age of six.  Our camps primarily focus on rock climbing but also provide campers with exciting adventures like rafting, camping, hiking, swimming and sometimes GO-KARTS!  With all this excitement it's no wonder we have so many return campers every year.

Campers showing AMG pride at Chimney Pond in Baxter State Park, ME


As the summer days roll on think about booking your next trip.  September is right around the corner and is, in one guides opinion, the best time of the summer to go out climbing.  There are no people.  The weather is cool.  Lastly, there is little to no traffic in town.
Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Ande Kahora