Outdoor Forms, Policies, & FAQs

Outdoor Program Forms

Once you are registered for a program, you will receive an e-mail confirmation with links to a required Outdoor Waiver and a Health History Form. The additional resources below can help you prepare for your trip. Please contact us or your guide if you have any questions about clothing, gear, or your program. Thank you!

Risk Management

Rock climbing and mountain sports are exciting and rewarding activities, however, they involve certain risks that require proper preparation, equipment, and guidance. The Petra Cliffs Mountaineering School offers courses and guiding that can be physically demanding and include important safety protocols to mitigate risks posed by potential hazards. Our guides are highly qualified and certified for the terrain in which they work: safety protocols include ensuring our guides are up to date on best practices and annual trainings, using high-quality safety equipment, and adhering to industry safety standards.

Anti-Discrimination Policy

By signing up for a Petra Cliffs course, clinic, private guiding, or other offering all climbers, participants, spectators and guardians agree to follow all anti-discrimination policies set forth by Petra Cliffs. Visit our About page for more details regarding our ethos of inclusion and general policies.

Cancellation Policy

If for any reason you must cancel your registration, you will receive a full refund if cancellation occurs up to two weeks before the program start date. If cancellation occurs less than two weeks before the start of the program, you can either receive a refund for 50% of the payment (minus an administrative fee, if applicable) or reschedule for a different date ($50 reschedule fee). If cancellation occurs less than 48 hours before the start of your program, or if you do not show up on the day of the course, full payment will be forfeited. This cancellation policy is in place to ensure that we can guarantee consistent work and pay for our guides.

Weather Policy

If Petra Cliffs must cancel your program due to current conditions or dangerous weather, we will either (1) pivot to working indoors at Petra Cliffs, (2) reschedule at no additional cost, or (3) refund your payment in full. Programs will run in most conditions; if needed, programs will alter destinations as some climbing areas stay more protected during inclement weather compared to others. If the weather becomes excessively foul while a program is underway, programs can pivot to moving indoors at Petra Cliffs or working on rope or technique skills under a sheltered outdoor area. There are many options for adapting program itineraries based on the weather while still getting good value from your time and guide.

AMGA Explained

Working with a Petra Cliffs Guide means that you are getting the very best value out of your climbing or mountain sport experience. Not only are our guides experts on the local terrain, skilled in personalized instruction, and a ton of fun to be around, they are also certified by the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA). The AMGA is an internationally recognized organization that provides standardized certification and training: they provide a framework for education, standards, and advocacy in the mountain guiding industry. This means that when you see someone with AMGA training or certification you can rest assured that they have undergone rigorous training and evaluation to provide the very best experience for you while maintaining the highest level of safety, professionalism, and proficiency. The AMGA has a structured series of trainings and certifications, more info can be found on their Programs page. Our guides operate in the terrain for which they are approved under AMGA Scope of Practice, details about what trainings & certifications a Petra Cliffs guide has can be found on their guide bio page.

If you have additional questions or want help booking a program or private guide please fill out an inquiry form:

Mountaineering School FAQ’s

  • Registration in a Petra Cliffs outdoor program/course, private guiding, or other outdoor adventure:

    Includes: Professional rock guide and all technical climbing equipment (harness, helmet, shoes, belay devices, ropes and all other appropriate technical equipment).

    Does not include: Personal gear, food, water and clothing (see equipment list for what to bring), transportation to/from climbing locations.

  • Gratuity for the guides is not included in the booking price. Tipping is an individual decision and you will receive top-notch service regardless, however our guides do accept and appreciate tips (most commonly via cash or venmo). It is customary to tip the guides at the end of the day, and we recommend tipping 10-20% of the trip price which is common in the climbing and skiing industry. Please note that you are under no obligation to tip, but it is highly recommended.

  • For all guiding and courses Petra Cliffs provides the required technical climbing equipment (harness, helmet, shoes, belay devices, ropes and all other appropriate technical equipment). If you have your own gear feel free to bring it!

    All you need to bring is personal gear, food, water, and clothing (see course equipment list).

  • Make sure to read the course description thoroughly, any suggested prerequisites will be clearly listed. If you still have questions you can always email outdoor@petracliffs.com to see if a course would be a good fit.

  • Booking a private guide lets you customize the experience more: you get a say in where you go and what you cover. Private guiding also means there won’t be anyone besides you (and friends/family): you get the guides undivided attention.

    Signing up for a course can be a great way to learn in a small group and meet some new people. Courses are discipline specific and often follow set curriculum.

  • For most programs you will meet your guide at the parking lot for your objective of the day. This means you will need to provide or secure your own transportation to and from the meeting location. The exact meeting location will be provided by your guide prior to your day of guiding. PLEASE NOTE: Petra Cliffs is not able to provide transportation to and from meeting locations.

  • If Petra Cliffs must cancel your program due to current conditions or dangerous weather, we will either (1) pivot to working indoors at Petra Cliffs, (2) reschedule at no additional cost, or (3) refund your payment. Programs will run in most conditions; if needed, programs will alter destinations as some climbing areas stay more protected during inclement weather compared to others. If the weather becomes excessively foul while a program is underway, programs can pivot to moving indoors at Petra Cliffs or working on rope and technique skills under a sheltered outdoor area. There are many options for adapting program itineraries based on the weather while still getting good value from your time and guide.

  • If for any reason you must cancel your registration, you will receive a full refund if cancellation occurs up to two weeks before the program start date. If cancellation occurs less than two weeks before the start of the program, you can either receive a refund for 50% of the payment (minus an administrative fee, if applicable) or reschedule for a different date ($50 reschedule fee). If cancellation occurs less than 48 hours before the start of your program, or if you do not show up on the day of the course, full payment will be forfeited. This cancellation policy is in place to ensure that we can guarantee consistent work and pay for our guides. If you must cancel, please email outdoor@petracliffs.com or call the gym at (802) 657-3872 as soon as possible.