About Petra Cliffs
Welcome to Petra Cliffs Climbing Center & Mountaineering School
Our mission is FUN:
Focuses on climbing and mountain-related education and recreation, accessible to all ages and abilities. We seek to offer premium instruction and services through experience-based education,
Uncompromising attention to safety, customer satisfaction, community, growth with empowered employees, all in a
No-pressure atmosphere for families and friends to gather for challenge and fun.
April 6, 2012
Steve and Andrea Charest purchased Petra Cliffs Climbing Center & Mountaineering School. Petra Cliffs was built in 2000 after moving from the Burlington Rock Gym with original owner Chip Schlegel. In March of 2005, Mike Anderson purchased Petra Cliffs from Chip. Steve and Andrea have had the honor of working with both Chip and Mike, and still carry pieces of their legacies on their continued journey.
Steve Charest
began working with Petra Cliffs in December 2001 as an intern through Johnson State College. He was only going to stay for one year...
As Head Guide, Steve has grown the Outdoor Programs from a few outings per season to abundant work with many of the local colleges, climbers looking to improve their skills (including the development of a ski mountaineering trip to Valdez, Alaska), and beginners seeking out new challenges and landscapes. Steve has improved the level of professionalism at Petra Cliffs by requiring all indoor instructors and outdoor guides to become AMGA certified in the level at which they instruct, and to continue their own professional development. Steve is an AMGA Certified Rock Guide, Certified Ski Guide and Aspirant IFMGA Guide. He is very active with the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) and is a Level 1 and 2 Instructor. View Steve's full resume.
Andrea Charest
began working part-time at Petra Cliffs in May 2002 after being a regular climbing customer while attending UVM. Birthday party crew, SumMAT Camp leader, teambuilding facilitator, Climbing Team coach, indoor instructor, SumMAT Camp Director, and outdoor guide... Andrea loves having worked with every facet of Petra Cliffs. She is proud to have grown a successful summer camp, to have a thriving climbing community, and to have met so many amazing employees & customers throughout two decades at Petra Cliffs. View Andrea's resume.
We look forward to working with you in our beautiful state of Vermont, throughout the Northeast, and in the mountains across the world!