New Hampshire Climbing Guide -- Mountaineering Instructor -- Member of The North Face Climbing Team

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Mark Synnot - AMGA Certified Rock Guide
AMGA Certified
Rock Guide


My advanced class is for intermediate to expert climbers who have already completed their initial apprenticeship. Perhaps you're a 5.10 climber looking to break into 5.11, or a 5.11 climber looking to break into 5.12. We will discuss your goals and aspirations as a climber and then customize a course accordingly. One thing is certain, if you have reached a plateau, it is almost certain that we can break through it. I know because I have been through every plateau myself, from 5.9 to 5.13. The key to breaking through these barriers usually has everything to do with our mental and psychological approaches to climbing. I have been continually amazed by how much we can improve simply by modifying our state of mind, expectations, or motivations.

Do you get frozen with uncertaintly and fear when you try to bust a hard move above your pro? This is a very common problem that climbers face, and one that I've dealt with myself for many years. The good news is that we have techniques for helping you to discern the difference between rational and irrational fears. We'll look carefully at protection and safety systems and we'll help you to figure out how to separate real danger from other situations where a fall is safe. If all else fails we may just get you up on a safely bolted route and have you lob off a bunch of times, gradually increasing the lengths of the falls while teaching you how to fall gracefully and safely.

In the advanced course we will seek out some of the longer and more difficult routes at Cathedral Ledge, Whitehorse Ledge and Cannon Cliff. I have guided people on traditional climbs up to 5.12, so regardless of your skill level we will have no problem finding the terrain appropriate for what you're trying to learn. The advanced course also includes instruction in the all important fine art of bailing. I have had many epic descents myself, including walls where we made nearly fifty rappels to descend, so I have many tricks in my bag to share with you.

We'll also talk extensively about training, what works and what doesn't. If you are focussed on building more physical strength (in addition to mental) I can help you to figure out a training program that fits into your lifestyle and work schedule.

Bottom line: you tell me what your goals are and we'll figure out a way to get you there. As my father always told me growing up: "Where there's a will, there's a way."
Synnott Mountain Guides Climbing Courses
Intro to Mountaineering
Mt. Washington One Day Winter Ascent
Presidential Traverse
Mt. Washington Observatory Overnight
Mt. Rainier Prep
Intermediate Mountaineering
Lion's Head Winter Route Overview
Tuckerman Ravine Winter Climbing Overview
Mt. Katahdin Alpine Rock Climbing
Mt. Washington Guided Hike
Youth Rock Climbing Overnight Camp
Intro to Rock Climbing
Toproping Course
Advanced Rock Climbing Techniques
Learn to Lead course
Cathedral Ledge Overview
Whitehorse Ledge Overview
Intro to Ice Climbing
Intermediate Ice Climbing
Advanced Ice Climbing
Grafton Notch Ice Climbing
Mixed Climbing 101
Aid Climbing Instruction
Introduction to Self-Rescue
Intro to Backcountry Ski
Advanced Backcountry Skiing
Huntington Ravine Gully Skiing
AIARE Level 1
Mt. Washington Avalanche Awareness Course
Cotopaxi Expedition
Mexican Volcanoes Expedition
Aconcagua Expedition