Andrea Charest

Co Owner & Guide

AMGA Certified Ice Instructor, Certified Single Pitch Instructor, Assistant Rock Guide, Apprentice Alpine Guide

Andrea is Petra Cliffs' Co-Owner and Jill of All Trades. Andrea began working for Petra Cliffs in 2002 as a birthday party facilitator, and has moved through each and every position, indoors and out, along the way to proprietorship.  Andrea is committed to providing a high quality Climbing Center and Mountaineering School and offering its guests, members and employees a positive environment and valuable education. Andrea enjoys every season as a rock and ice climbing and backcountry ski guide, and when she's not working... she is chasing after her daughter (who began climbing stairs at 9 months old!), climbing or skiing.

Andrea is involved with the following associations and endeavors:

  • AMGA (American Mountain Guides Association)

  • Climbing Wall Instructor (2008)

  • Certified Single Pitch Instructor (2009)

  • Rock Instructor Course (September 2011)

  • Ice Instructor Course (February 2013)

  • Advanced Rock Guide Course & Aspirant Exam (Pass-- with the fastest overall rescue time! October 2014)

  • Alpine Guide Course (September 2015)

  • Rock Guide Exam (October 2015)

  • Ice Instructor Exam (2023)

  • AIARE (American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education) Levels I & II

  • NY State Licensed Rock Climbing, Ice Climbing, Camping & Hiking Guide

  • Chicks with Picks/Chicks Rock Guide

  • Guest Guide for the Smuggs Ice Bash, Mt. Washington Valley Ice Fest, Adirondack Mountainfest, Bozeman Ice Fest, and Ouray Ice Festival

  • Competitor in Ouray Elite Mixed Climbing Competition 2013, 2014; Bozeman World Cup Mixed Competition 2013

  • CRAG-VT Board Member, Treasurer 2012-2021

  • NEice.com Ice Ambassador