Schedule

ASCEND climbing classes operate on a first come first serve basis, so be sure to register by booking online using the calendar below, calling in, or stopping by the front desk. Remember: you can always just drop in and climb any time ASCEND is open without a reservation or signing up for a class! Not interested in taking a class? Don't worry, you can use the climbing and fitness areas anytime ASCEND is open without a reservation or signing up for a class, but only if you were taught how to share.

If you haven't already, read up on how to create your new online account and get our new app HERE.

Otherwise, view the schedule and book classes and programs HERE.

Classes

ASCEND offers a wide range of climbing classes to help you achieve your goals through proven tactics. These technique and skill focused classes are designed to take your climbing to the next level and teach and reinforce proper systems for improving your safety knowledge.

Boulder Basics (Beginners)

Brand new to bouldering? Still need some pointers? Go beyond our walkthrough with a guided bouldering session. Spend an hour with a climbing coach and get started on the right track.

  • Classes run for roughly 1 hour. Please arrive early to check in and get settled so we can start on time.
  • Special reservations are available for $50 per booking. Please allow about a week to schedule. There must be at least 2 participants. Submit your request HERE.
Intro to Top Roping - Belay Class

Want to learn how to top-rope belay? This introductory course will teach you how to tie your knots and how to belay, so you, your friends, and your family can enjoy roped climbing together.

  • Classes run for roughly 1 hour. Please arrive early to check in and get settled so we can start on time.
  • Special reservations are available for $50 per booking. Please allow about a week to schedule. There must be at least 2 participants. Submit your request HERE.
Climbing 101 (Beginners)

A 4-week session designed to introduce a brand-new climber to the indoor adaptation of the sport. An instructor will cover climbing technique, lingo, bouldering, top-roping, belaying, training for climbing, and more! While anyone is welcome to join, this broad, introductory course was developed with beginner climbers in mind to give them the confidence needed to have fun, be safe, and make friends in the facility. Participants must be 14 years or older. Interested in Youth Climbing 101? Click HERE.

  • Sessions start on the first Wednesday of each month, 6p-8p (attending all classes is strongly recommended).
  • Included:
    • Four, 2-hour sessions of small group instruction.
    • Membership for the calendar month the sessions are held.
    • Rental gear for entire month.
    • 10% off in ASCEND retail shop.
Climbing 201 - Boulder Beta (Intermediate)

A 4-week session designed to sharpen your technique. An instructor will guide participants through a range of climbing skills, including static vs dynamic movement, climbing on slabs vs overhangs, footwork, & projecting! While anyone is welcome to join, this course will be most beneficial to those who have been climbing 6 months or more.

  • Duration: Sessions Start on the first Monday of each month. 6p-8p (attending all classes is strongly recommended)
  • Included:
    • Four, 2-hour sessions of small group instruction
    • Membership for the calendar month the sessions are held
    • Rental gear for entire month
    • 10% off in ASCEND retail shop
Sport Climbing 1: Indoor Sport Climbing (Intermediate)

Learn the basics of leading and lead belaying. Students will focus on lead belaying with commonly used assisted-braking belay devices, how to properly clip quickdraws, and how to take lead falls. Note: Leading on ASCEND's top-rope wall is not allowed outside of this class.

  • Goals: To provide introductory information, hands on practice, and lead climbing confidence.
  • Duration: Offered monthly on select Saturdays or Sundays
  • Prerequisites:
    • ASCEND Green Belay Tag
    • Redpoint 10-
    • Comfortably climb 5.9
    • Participants must be 14 years or older.
Sport Climbing 2: Indoors to Crag (Intermediate)

In addition to reviewing all topics in Sport Climbing 1, students will review lead belaying with commonly used assisted-braking belay devices, cleaning, lowering, and common sport climbing anchors. Note: Leading on ASCEND's top-rope wall is not allowed outside of this class.

  • Goals: To prepare students for outdoor sport climbing.
  • Duration: Offered monthly on select Saturdays or Sundays
  • Prerequisites:
    • Sport Climbing 1 or equivalent experience
Outdoor

ASCEND is SO PSYCHED to introduce you all to climbing in the great outdoors. After all, that's where this whole climbing thing originated, so let us show you the ropes and our roots.

The following schedule may contain two trips on the same day, indicated with an "OR", which means that these trips will be run concurrently at the same location.

  • 4/1 - Coopers - Rock Hike - OR - Intro to Outdoor Climbing
  • 4/9 - Coopers - Intro to Outdoor TR - OR - Building TR Anchors
  • 4/16 - Coopers - Single Pitch Sport
  • 4/30 - Coopers - Women’s Outdoor Climbing Trip
  • 5/7 - Coopers - Rock Hike - OR - Intro to Outdoor Climbing
  • 5/14 + 15 - Seneca Roadtrip - BOOK HERE
  • 5/21 - Coopers - Single Pitch Sport
  • 5/28 - Coopers - Intro to Outdoor Climbing
  • 6/4 - Seldom Seen - LGBTQ+ Outdoor Climbing Trip
  • 6/11 - Coopers - Climbing and Yoga Trip - OR - Intro to Outdoor Climbing
  • 6/18 - McConnells - Intro to Outdoor TR - OR - Building TR Anchors
  • 7/2 - Coopers - Rock Hike - OR - Intro to Outdoor Climbing
  • 7/16 - Coopers - Single Pitch Sport
  • 8/6 - Coopers - Rock Hike - OR - Intro to Outdoor Climbing
  • 8/13 - Coopers - Intro to Outdoor TR - OR - Building TR Anchors
  • 8/27 - McConnells - Intro to Outdoor TR - OR - Building TR Anchors
  • 9/3 - Coopers - Fourth Class Climbing - OR - Intro to Outdoor Climbing
  • 9/10 - Coopers - Intro to Outdoor TR - OR - Building TR Anchors
  • 9/17 - Coopers - Climbing and Yoga Trip - OR - Intro to Outdoor Climbing
  • 10/1 + 2 - Seneca Roadtrip
  • 10/8 - McConnells - Intro to Outdoor TR - OR - Building TR Anchors
  • 10/15 - Coopers - Single Pitch Sport
  • 10/22 - Coopers - Intro to Outdoor TR - OR - Building TR Anchors

IMPORTANT NOTES

  • All participants must complete ASCEND's Outdoor Programming Agreement + Medical HIstory Form. Optionally, we'd love to hear from our participants in this brief post-trip survey.
  • Trips are always scheduled for a Saturday and the immediate Sunday is the weather make-up day for any given trip. Participants should be available for both days in case a trip is moved to a Sunday, and are aware that they will not be refunded 100% if they cannot make the Sunday date. This schedule is subject to change… including locations, which may change the week of the trip depending on weather.
  • ASCEND does not provide transportation to and from outings, but will help to arrange carpools. If interested, please email [email protected].
  • ALL ASCEND outdoor programming includes a 20% coupon on your ASCEND account, which is valid for climbing gear (ropes, harnesses, climbing shoes, carabiners, packs, etc.), but not for things like t-shirts, swag, or concession items). It's good for one purchase (not one item), so you can get as much climbing gear on this one purchase as you'd like.
  • ASCEND members are eligible for a discounted rate at Seneca Rocks Mountain Guides. Groups of two or more visiting for at least two consecutive weekdays receive 10% their guiding rates!

Private Guiding

Looking for something that's not listed below or prefer to roll with your own crew? Have little to no experience and just want to get outside for an all-inclusive day of climbing? Scout troop that needs climbing merit badges? We got you!

GET STARTED NOW

Directions

Meeting Locations: Depending on the scheduled location of your trip, please use the appropriate instructions below:


Coopers Rock State Forest - meeting place is the main entrance parking lot, located GPS: 39.656150, -79.785584. You can type those GPS coordinates directly into Google Maps and it should take you to the parking lot. As soon as you get off of the highway and enter into Cooper's Rock Forest, it is the first parking lot you'll see on the right. There are pit toilets in this parking lot that you should be able to use when you arrive, there will not be restrooms immediately available at the crag; you will need to drive back to use them at this initial meeting place.

McConnells Mills State Park - meeting place is the Kildoo Picnic Area parking lot, located GPS: 40.951522, -80.168188. You can type those GPS coordinates directly into Google Maps and it should take you to the parking lot. There are pit toilets in this parking lot that you should be able to use when you arrive, there will not be restrooms immediately available at the crag; you will need to drive back to use them at this initial meeting place.

Adaptive

As a space that fosters community & belonging, our goal is to provide accessible climbing for people of all abilities. While anyone is welcome to come to the facility at any time (including your service dog), we'd be happy to schedule you with a staff member to make sure you get the most out of your visit to ASCEND. We also host adaptive community events! See below for more.

If you're interested in volunteering, would like to inquire about a special event, or have any additional questions, please COMPLETE THIS FORM or SEND US A MESSAGE.

Competitions

Climbing comps? Yep - they're a thing that we host, so keep your eye out for the next Steel Town Throw Down! Head on over to our EVENT BLOG to learn more about what's coming up and what's history.

Private Coaching

Personal Training at ASCEND includes everything from classic fitness training to climbing coaching, all designed for YOU in a 1-on-1 or small group setting. Whether you'd like to send V10, get in shape for epic hikes, or just focus on your personal journey, we got you. Meet with a trainer, discuss your goals, and be on your way to your next challenge. Pricing will vary depending on your needs and how many people you have. And don't forget that EFT members receive one complimentary consult.

GET STARTED NOW

Routesetting
Routesetting Clinic

Learn the fundamentals of routesetting in this immersive clinic. Perfect for aspiring setters, home wall enthusiasts, or anyone who is interested in the craft.

Slackline

We are stoked to bring the ASCEND community slackline programming! We've got classes, workshops, events, and private instruction to offer. We'll be adding more information here soon, so stay tuned and visit often! In the meantime, click on the button below and get started! If you're interested in learning more or seeking private instruction, GET STARTED NOW.

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SLACKLINE CLASSES (ALL LEVELS)

Join ASCEND for our weekly slackline class! We encourage all levels of slackliners, including anyone who has never slacklined, to join our slackline instructors for tips and tricks in better slacklining, better climbing cross-training, and the importance of balance. ASCEND's weekly slackline class uses a 1" slackline, which is ideal in the context of climbing and fitness. The slackline class also takes place 100% overtop of crash mats/pads and is ideal for anyone 14 and older. Free for members, and included with price of daypass for non-members (just like a yoga or fitness class!)

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SLACKLINE WORKSHOPS

Join ASCEND for an evening of slackline! Throughout the gym, we'll have a variety of slacklines to try, as well as several slackline experts to help with pro tips and instruction. Workshops will be divided into two groups; beginners and intermediate/advanced.

  • Beginners, and those that have never practiced slackline before, are encouraged to join our YogaSlackers certified teachers for an introduction to the fundamentals of a slackline practice. An introductory clinic will take place from 9p to 10p, after which, students will be given ample time for individual practice, one-on-one time with teachers, and exploration of the more advanced slacklines available in the gym.
  • Intermediate to advanced slackliners are also able to join for the YogaSlackers' clinic from 9p to 10p, but may also enjoy the numerous other slacklines on their own schedule; or at least until midnight. Each of these stations will be occupied by a slackline expert, who will provide dedicated, one-on-one instruction for that particular slackline. This includes:
    • Longline (~200' indoor longline)
    • Highlines (leashed slacklines) - not available at all events
    • 2" slackline
    • Rodeline
    • Primitive slacklines and rigging stations

TAKE AWAYS

  • Education and mentorship for a rapidly growing community
  • A unique way to spend your Saturday night at ASCEND
  • Resources for continuing a slackline practice