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4 days

Participants may be assessed on any topic of the Hard Ice Guide training syllabus at any stage of the assessment. They will be required to teach and supervise revision sessions and practical exercises. It is expected that only minimal training will need to be given.

Participants will be assessed on their personal technical skills necessary for guiding and instructing on the lower, hard ice glacial areas.

Participants’ guiding and instructional skills will be assessed to see that they will be effective guides and instructors for:

Half or full day walking trips and helihikes on lower hard ice glacial areas
Ice climbing days on lower, hard ice glacial areas.

STATUS

On successfully passing a Hard Ice Guide Assessment Course and ratification from the Technical Subcommittee, the participant attains the status of NZMGA Hard Ice Guide.

To be allocated a place on a Hard Ice Guide Assessment Course, you must have met the following criteria:

New Zealand resident or have a current work permit.
Have completed the Hard Ice Guide Apprenticeship.

A letter of verification from the employer or Chief Guide of logged guiding work at time of assessment must be submitted with the application. The Association may also request that the written logbook retained by the applicant be presented for sighting and examination.

Attendance on a Hard Ice Guide Training Course within the last two years.
Current PHEC qualification (40 hours).
Paid a deposit of $500 to the NZMGA.
Current financial membership of NZMGA.

Usually, this will be run over four days in spring or autumn

TOPIC / POSSIBLE MARK & COMMENTS

Subtotal		120
Client Care
2	Communication with client	10
3	Route selection	20
4	Terrain analysis	20
5	Pace setting	10
8	Application of guiding technique	10
9	Group management	10
11	Client control	20
12	Client safety	20

Personal skills and knowledge
Subtotal		140
13	General mountain movement	10
14	Fitness and stamina	10
15	Professionalism and personal appearance	10
16	Personal equipment	10
17	Reaction under stress	10
18	Leadership and decision making	10
19	Rope handling	10
22	Ice climbing	10
23	Step cutting	20
24	Belays on ice including anchors	10
27	Mountain Weather	10
28	Nature and environment	20

Instruction
31	Speech and contact with students	10
32	Structure of the lesson	10
33	Site selection	10
34	Support materials & demonstration	10
35	Ability to motivate	10

Subtotal		50

Search and rescue
COURSE TOTAL		340
37	Crevasse extraction	10
38	Stretchers	10
40	Accident site management	10

Subtotal		30

Mandatory non-assessment topics
These topics must be covered in a discussion format
-	Radio use
-	Aircraft safety
-	Post-traumatic stress disorder
-	NZMGA Harassment Policy
-	NZMGA Accident Investigation Policy
-	NZMGA Terrain, Supervision and Professional Guidelines

Trainers/assessors will give a written summary with comments and recommendations.

Important information before you attend this course:

Technical Syllabus Analysis of Topics Assessment Advice Assessment and Certification