ONE STEP CLOSER TOWARDS A CLIMBING GUIDE

Corey Stein, a senior studying Outdoor Recreation, Parks & Tourism at Southern Utah University, is honing his rock climbing skills in order to achieve a life goal: becoming a certified rock climbing guide.

Since moving to Cedar City in August 2017, Corey Stein has been scaling Southern Utah’s premiere climbing crags. A proficient climber, Corey decided he wanted to make the most out of his skill of 6 years. When prompted by Southern Utah University to come up with a project that would set him ahead of the competition, he immediately thought to get certified as a rock climbing guide through the American Mountain Guide Association. The AMGA is a leader and standard for all rock climbing guides in North America. What better way to get his foot in the door as a guide than to hold an industry standard certification? He set out to do just that, however, due to complications and set back, Corey decided to utilize his time training for the certification while attending SUU. He has practiced the skills necessary to qualify for the certification course and has even taught himself a host of the skills taught in that course. He is well prepared to take the certification course and exam!

Southern Utah University alumni stand out from the competition thanks to their “EDGE” program. Standing for “Education Designed to Give Experience,” the goal is that students leave the school with more experience than listening to lectures and acing exams. The program specifically targets a weak point: real-life experience. As an Outdoor Recreation major, Corey can now use his new experience - training to certify as a rock climbing guide - and get a step ahead of the competition.

Corey says the next step is signing up for the course and qualifying.