Qualifications

Geoff Unger is an IFMGA Mountain Guide

EXPERIENCE

Guiding Experience – Geoff has over 20 years of guiding experience and gained his IFMGA Mountain Guide qualification in 2008.  Geoff has worked as a guide in North and South America, Europe, and Asia.

Climbing Experience - Geoff Unger is a professional climber with over 25 years experience including difficult traditional climbing, expedition climbing and big wall experience.  He has climbed first ascents around the world and made significant winter ascents in the Alps.

Geoff is an AMGA Instructor Team Member, a member of the AIARE PRO Instructor Staff teaching both Professional and Recreational avalanche programs and a professional member of the American Avalanche Association(AAA).  In addition he is a founding member of the Certified Guides Cooperative(CGC) a not for profit guides cooperative providing access to permits, insurance and other services to AMGA Certified Guides in the United States and abroad. 

CERTIFICATION

“The AMGA’s American Mountain Guide Certification is the highest level of credential attainable by a professional mountain guide, and is an achievement recognized in more than 20 International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA) member countries.”  - from www.AMGA.com

TRAINING

To complete the American Mountain Guides Association training and certification program requires over 80 days of contact time with qualified instructors over a period of years while gaining relevant experience in the guiding industry.

To become an American Mountain Guide requires training and examination in the three disciplines of guiding.

• Rock Guiding

• Alpine Guiding

• Ski Guiding

SERVICE – Geoff has owned and operated his own guide business since 2009.  His focus is on creating high quality experiences based on direct contact with his clients before the trip then hands on guidance, training, coaching in the field.  Whether you are new to climbing or an expert Geoff has something to offer you to help you progress as a climber and achieve your goals in the mountains.

INSTRUCTION – Geoff is a committed climber, coach and mentor.  In addition to guide training, certification  and continued professional development,  Geoff is a top level instructor and coach.  He brings his years of experience to his coaching helping climbers and skiers  to move with more fluidity through the terrain.

Instructional Experience 

• AIARE PRO Avalanche Instructor

• AMGA Instructor Team Member

• Past freestyle ski team coach

Professionalism

Stewardship

Community – Geoff is a well known climber and guide.  In each area where he guides he connects with local guides and is sensitive to local issues.

Environmentalism – Geoff is a Leave Not Trace Master Educator.  He models and teaches environmental sensitivity to his clients through LNT.

Service – Geoff makes a difference in the climbing communities where he climbs and guides.  He has volunteered countless hours to anchor replacement and trail maintenance over his career.

Geoff is a long time member of the American Alpine Club and  has contributed to the American Alpine Journal.  He also donated to the fund for the Gunks Campground project.

Access Fund – Geoff is a member of the Access Fund and supports its mission to preserve access for climbers in the United States.

The Certified Guides Cooperative (CGC) works hard to develop and maintain relationships with land managers .  Geoff is instrumental in promoting and modeling stewardship through his work with the Cooperative.