YOU MAY BE EXPOSED TO SUBSTANTIAL PERSONAL RISK OR DEATH DURING THIS COURSE. 

You are choosing to engage in an activity in which you may be injured and killed. While such accidents are rare, they may occur at any time and be out of our control. You will be working close to cliff edges and on steep, exposed ledges. You may be asked to construct anchors and to rappel and belay from them without direct supervision from the instructor. This is not an introductory-level program. You cannot abdicate responsibility for yourself and must take full responsibility for your own security. If, in the instructor’s opinion, you do not display the skill and prudence necessary for the course, you may be asked to leave the course.

Please be sure that you are fully aware of such risks. It is our goal to interpret the environmental, situational, and group variables and to make educated decisions to minimize dangers to you while at the same time providing an enjoyable and memorable experience.  

Your instructors draw upon extensive education and experience to manage significant hazards inherent to mountain travel. You are also expected to take an active part in risk management of yourself and the group. Some of the hazards that can lead to injury or death associated with this course include but are not limited to falls, being struck by falling objects, poor technique application by yourself or others, uneven terrain, anchor failure, equipment failure, extreme weather, demanding physical activity, and vehicle transportation. Again, please be sure that you are fully aware of such risks.  

No one starts the day expecting to get hurt in an instructional climbing course. However, despite all we know and all we do, accidents can still happen. At AMG, we take your security seriously. Our goal is to interpret the environmental, situational,  group and individual variables and make decisions to minimize risk while providing an educational, enjoyable and memorable experience.

Self-reliance in the face of adversity is expected on the part of the wilderness traveler entering the wilderness. Rescue is not automatic. Our party is often alone for all practical purposes and must depend upon our own resources for self-rescue and be equipped for an extended emergency. Cellular phones and radios should not be relied upon in an emergency.  

Finally, this is a group program, and good expedition behavior is critical. Participants are also asked to stay with the group until everyone has safely exited the field.

In order register for the course participants must first be accepted into the DiMM program. 

DiMM Eligibility

Applicants to our program are required to be a board certified/board eligible physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, registered nurse, licensed paramedic or advanced EMT.

DiMM Application Format

2025 DiMM applications open October 1st, 2024 and are due by December 31st, 2024.  

To apply, please email the following information to Emergency Medicine Program Specialist Anne Hill – anne.a.hill@hitchcock.org

1. CV
2. Personal Statement: describe why you are interested in the Dartmouth Hitchcock DiMM Program and how you will potentially use the knowledge and skills.
3. Share your experience in emergency, prehospital and/or wilderness medicine.
4. Describe your experience in rock/ice climbing, snow travel, rope systems, technical rescue, and avalanche.
5. Describe any additional pertinent backcountry travel and/or technical rescue experience.
6. List any physical or medical limitations you have that will prevent your full participation in this program.
7. Include 2 letters of recommendation.

Candidates will be contacted via email regarding follow up interviews, decisions, next steps and acceptance.

Upon acceptance into the Northeast DiMM, participants will pay a $200.00 processing fee. This fee may then be applied toward either the Summer or Winter Mountain Skills and Rescue Course fees.

A non-refundable deposit of 50% is required to register for the course. 

Final payment is due 60 days prior to the course start date.

When you book a course with Acadia Mountain Guides, you agree to our cancellation policy. Please realize that if your travel does not go according to plan in any way and for any reason, we are unable to provide credits or refunds outside of what is described below. We strongly recommend that you purchase trip insurance to protect your activity purchase against unforeseeable circumstances, which include but are not limited to:

The goals and objectives of this program are to learn instructional climbing and rescue skills. We will make every reasonable effort to maximize your learning. However, extreme weather, inadequate personal fitness, difficult terrain, or park weather/travel closures may make it impossible to achieve our desired objectives.

People often ask if it’s appropriate to tip the instructor(s). Tipping is never expected but always greatly appreciated.

This is your course. The more you let your instructor(s) know what your needs are, the more he or she can help you. If you don’t understand, ask questions. If you have special interests, let your instructor know. If your instructor has provided you with a great experience and shared his or her knowledge and joy of the mountain world with you, a thank-you note or gratuity is always well received. 

A minimum of four (4) participants are needed to run this program and there is a maximum of twelve (12). The final decision to run the program will be made three weeks prior to the start date. In the case of low registration, you will have the option of joining another course, receiving a refund, or possibly paying an additional amount to allow the program to run with low numbers.

Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School is accredited through the American Mountain Guide Association and the Professional Climbing Instructor Association. All instructors have been certified through both the AMGA and the PCIA for Single Pitch Instruction. Multi-pitch guides, alpine guides and ski guides meet or exceed the current standards of the AMGA Scope of Practice. Acadia Mountain Guides actively supports furthering their guide’s development throughout their career. That means our guides are constantly taking steps to progress their skills and will provide you with an exceptional experience. AMG is also a proponent of helping clients reach their goals, whether its having an epic day in the mountains or gaining skills to get into other terrain, Acadia Mountain Guides Climbing School can get you there!

Acadia Mountain Guides  acknowledges that its guiding takes place on the homeland of the Wabanaki, or “People of the Dawnland” which includes the tribes of the Micmac, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot people.

Indigenous people have lived in close relationship with these lands and waters since time immemorial – in the face of many challenges and injustices – and continue to do so today.

Acadia Mountain Guides was founded on the principle of helping all people develop more enriching and healthier lives through outdoor activities. Our philosophy involves actively creating a culture of acceptance and inclusion while focused on personal growth and enriching group experiences. 

While we hope that our school and camp program has always been equitable and welcoming, we acknowledge that historically we have had limited representation of people of color and that outdoor experience has predominantly been a white experience available only to those with privilege. We seek to change that.

Acadia Mountain Guides welcomes participants representing a diversity of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military status, age, socioeconomic status, outdoor experience, and life experience. Explicit and implicit racism, bullying, or any kind of discrimination has no place in our community. Acadia Mountain Guides embraces change and will nurture a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion where each person feels seen, heard and supported now. 

Our pledge to inclusion includes:

●      Removing financial barriers for families wanting to attend camp by providing scholarship assistance

●      Seeking out opportunities to promote diversity and inclusion in our programming and in partnerships with other organizations

●      Fostering a culture of community, humility, and open communication among every individual in our program

●      Providing training, professional development, and support to help staff with future professional and personal endeavors in the outdoors

●      Listening to and serving members of the BIPOC and LGBTQ communities

●      Continuing to seek a more diverse community of campers and staff