Jim Ratz Memorial Scholarship

Jim Ratz died in a climbing accident in Sinks Canyon on May 4, 2005 at the age of 52. Jim was an avid climber and enthusiastic supporter of the AMGA and its mission. He served on the AMGA Board of Directors beginning in 2000 and was the current Vice President at the time of his passing.

Ratz had a lifelong love affair with outdoor education and subsequently inspired many guides across the country. His vision for guiding in America incorporated his love of the mountains and passion for making a living while preserving these same mountains. In his honor, this grant has been established to help support guides who are finishing their IFMGA certification. The scholarship offers partial support for a guide who is enrolled in an AMGA exam that is the final stage of one’s IFMGA/AMGA training.