NOVEMBER 29, 2016
Guiding season is in full swing here at PMG! So far it has been a great season pushing limits with clients on Mt Lemmon and in Cochise Stronghold! Aside from guiding, owner Aaron Mike has put together a video (CAUTION: Explicit Language) showcasing the various difficult routes on Mt. Lemmon. Pictures are worth 1000 words, videos, exponentially more! Check them out below!
Guide Aaron Mike belaying client Rob Rooks up the 2nd pitch of Endgame 5.10, Cochise Stronghold.
Victory atop Hitchcock Pinnacle, Mt Lemmon.
Filming host, Robyn, for the Arizona Department of Tourism at Windy Point.
All smiles on Mt Lemmon!
Clients Chase and Kim pushing their limits of exposure and loving it at Windy Point, Mt Lemmon.
JULY 14, 2016
It is hard to believe that we are amidst the summer temperatures! This blog post is a little later than intended, but for good reason; PMG has been extremely busy getting people up their mental and physical mountains. With # fantastic satisfied clients already this year, we have entered 2016 with a boom! Through private multi-pitch days, corporate retreats, and large group instructional courses PMG’s guides have continually proven their skill and ability to provide an environment to meet and exceed the needs of those who put their trust in our hands. A few highlights over the last several months are pictured below!
In addition to guiding, PMG’s very own Aaron Mike has been involved with much needed advocacy work in the Southern Utah, Bears Ears region. Recently, as the Access Fund’s Native Lands Regional Coordinator, he accompanied representatives from the Inter-Tribal Coalition, as well as other rock climbing advocates and interest groups on a flight around the proposed Bears Ears National Monument area. The proposed National Monument area is home to a number of Native American spiritual sites, as well as internationally sought out climbing crags like Indian Creek. More news will follow soon.
Guest guide Bronwyn Burman supervising a Proctor Academy student recap demonstration of proper rope management.
Best seat in the house for Proctor Academy students.
Thumbs up in Cochise Stronghold.
Guest guide Bronwyn Burman demonstrating proper use of Assisted Braking Device for Proctor Academy.
Proctor Academy students and guide, Aaron Mike, strike a pose!
North Face Explore Fund students and guides in Mentmore Canyon. Thank you Del Ray Photography
North Face Explore Fund student takes a moment for a selfie in Mentmore Canyon. Thank you Del Ray Photography
The Mentmore Public Social brought appx. 70 participants of all abilities!
The Mentmore Public Social brought appx. 70 participants of all abilities!
The Mentmore Public Social brought appx. 70 participants of all abilities!
Guide, Aaron Mike expresses the general feel of the day after the Mentmore Public Social. Thank you Del Ray Photography
Fun times on Mt Lemmon with Liftmaster.
Group shot of Liftmaster on Mt Lemmon.
Rob Rooks seconding the last pitch of Too Tough To Die on the Sheepshead in Cochise Stronghold.
NOVEMBER 3, 2015
We are pleased to have wrapped up Day 3 and 4 in Mentmore Canyon in good fashion. The two days re-emphasized proper Belaying technique and Technical Movement over rock, as well as mastery of constructing equalized and redundant anchor systems. The motivation and determination of our students allowed us to complete our curriculum goals with the students and introduce numerous students to rappelling from the anchors to the base of the cliffs.
We are looking forward to our SOCIAL EVENT on Saturday November 7th where all are welcome! Our students and guides will have roped climbs set up, as well as a rappel station, with lunch being served at noon. Before the rock climbing begins at 10 am, in order to give back to the area we will have an optional trash cleanup starting at 9am. Please check out the event flyer below for specific information and we hope to see you there!
Scroll down further for images of Day 3 and 4!
SEPTEMBER 11, 2015
Day 2 in Mentmore Climbing Area took place on Sunday September 6th! It was another fantastic day out with the students and guide Andrew Megas-Russell. Day 2 focused on proper belay technique with emphasis on weight displacement between climber and belayer. Various safety techniques like ground anchors and back-up belayers were used for main belayers while climbers focused on technical climbing movement over the rock. Thus far, the improvement and comprehension of the students has been extremely impressive and we are very excited to see how far students will be able to push themselves! The next day of the class will be September 20 and we will be covering more Technical Climbing Movement, Ground Belaying, and introduce the basic concepts of Equalizing Anchors on Bolted routes. Check out the photos below from day 2 and stay tuned!
Thanks again to the organizations that made this possible! The North Face, Southwest Conservation Corps, The Access Fund, Headwall Harnesses, and Crimp Daddy.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2015
Thanks for checking out PMG’s inaugural blog post! Where do we start? 2015 has been an amazing year so far thanks to all of you. We have had the best multi-pitch, single-pitch, and beginner clients who have taken themselves to new heights and made this profession the best job in the world for our guides! None of this would have been possible without the support from our new friends at the North Face, the Access Fund, Conservation Legacy, Headwall Harnesses, the Southwest Conservation Corps, Crimp Daddy, and many others! Major respect for your missions as organizations and appreciation for your support!
Our latest project is taking place in Mentmore Canyon just outside of Gallup, New Mexico. We have the pleasure of teaming up with Conservation Legacy’s Southwest Conservation Corps to get 14 Native American students fully competent to explore their Native land in a way they have not been able to before; vertically. The 5 day course over 4 months will allow students to utilize top rope rock climbing on the most scenic landscapes in the U.S. safely and efficiently. Students will earn benchmark certifications from PMG such as Technical Movement Certification, Ground Belay Certification, and finally Top-Rope Certification.
Day 1 took place on August 30, 2015 and we could not be happier with the turnout, strength, and motivation demonstrated by the students. Students learned the current state of rock climbing through lecture of historical events and different styles of the sport with demonstrations from PMG guides. Leave No Trace ethics and Erosion Control were emphasized by both PMG and the Southwest Conservation Corps while the students practiced technical climbing skills at Mentmore Climbing Area. PMG is very grateful to have the privilege to instruct this group of young people and work with the Southwest Conservation Corps to make every class a complete success. Thanks again to all who made this amazing event possible! Take a peak at the photos from Day 1 and check back for more updates from Mentmore!
