ASCEND Erie

CAR PARKING: There is a convenient parking garage on 5th and Peach located right next to us! Outside of the parking garage, there is tons of nearby metered street parking that is 25 cents per 20 minutes. Additionally, those metered spots are free after 6p Monday through Saturdays and all day on Sundays.

PUBLIC TRANSIT: The EMTA (Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority) offers free bus service from the Intermodal Center to State Street on the weekdays from about 7:00am to 6:00pm, and Saturdays from 5:00pm to midnight. The EMTA also offers rides for free to students at Behrend, Gannon, Mercyhurst and nurses at UPMC.

BIKE PARKING: We have lots of indoor bike parking! It's a great way to warm up as your pre-climb workout.

Yeah, you are! Go HERE to learn more and get started.

Yes! You will be treated like royalty no matter which ASCEND gym you visit. Our global memberships get you the same access at all ASCEND locations.

Here is a letter explaining more from ClimbERIE's founder - now ASCEND's Director of Strategic Partnerships - David Bonner:

Open letter to the Erie Climbing Community,

First of all, we want to thank you all for your support in our efforts to bring Erie its first ever indoor climbing facility. We have seen an overwhelming response from many and it has kept us motivated throughout these difficult times. Not only has the pandemic slowed our progress, but lack of available commercial property has not helped. Our community has been through it all and remains supportive and positive. We are excited for the next phase. Our partnership with ASCEND Climbing has allowed us to finally move forward and build the climbing gym that Erie truly deserves.

Common values and vision have evolved into this collaboration between ClimbERIE and ASCEND and ASCEND Erie will be the product. Our focus is on creating a community. Not just of climbers, but all residents of the Erie area. ASCEND Erie will be a place that this great city will be proud of, as a business, as a landmark, and as a champion for the city itself. Our name may not be ClimbERIE, but the values and dedication to the community remain. That spirit that has encouraged and motivated us through the last three years will always remain at the heart of ASCEND Erie and we look forward to serving you for years to come. Thank you!

Respectfully,
ClimbERIE/ASCEND Erie

For those wanting to hit the ropes or auto-belays who haven't yet tested-out to do so at an ASCEND location, you first need to successfully pass our rope test-outs. We have separate test-outs for auto-belaying, top-roping (includes auto-belay), and lead-climbing (includes auto-belay and top-roping). Simply visit the front desk to learn more and get in line. If you have no idea what to do, we offer in-depth classes to show you the ropes!

You typically won't need to make a reservation or wait too long to do a test-out. It's our sincere goal to be able to administer a test out at any point throughout each and every day. That being said, there are some exceptions to this, especially in these first few weeks of being open.

Occasionally, the gym is just too busy or we're temporarily short-staffed for us to handle a request in the moment. Our staff may be pulled in different directions or there could be a large event occurring. Usually, they will just need some time to get back to you within the hour, but sometimes, they may not be able to while you're there. This is not the norm, but it does happen.

Early in the morning and late at night, we pair down our staffing levels, so again, these times may not be ideal for test-outs, though, it's usually still possible, if you can be patient with us.

If you have limited availability and really want to ensure you get the opportunity to test out, you can always call or email us to work something out.