Get Outside

• Climb outdoors on real rocks!

• This introductory climbing trip will get you outside and in touch with the roots of the sport - climbing real rock in beautiful settings! Our highly experienced and certified climbing guides will curate an amazing outdoor climbing experience with a small group of eager climbers. This trip is recommended for anyone (aged 14+) interested in learning the basics of outdoor roped climbing. Join us for an exciting and memorable climbing experience!

• Locations include McConnells Mill State Park, Coopers Rock State Forest and Frank Curto Park

• During this trip, participants will learn and practice:

  • outdoor climbing etiquette and Leave No Trace principles.

  • what gear is needed for outdoor top rope climbing.

  • climbing crag safety guidelines.

  • how to use climbing gear appropriately.

  • tying into a climbing rope and harness.

  • climbing communication and commands.

  • analyzing and selecting climbing routes.

  • identifying and using natural climbing holds.

  • lots of climbing on real rock!

  • belaying outdoors (ASCEND indoor top rope certification required).

• ASCEND can provide any needed climbing gear. Participants will receive a discount on gear purchases after the event if interested in building up your personal gear collection.

• Learn a fun and essential climbing skill!

• While we all love going up, coming back down is just as important and enjoyable. Our experienced and certified climbing guides will lead an engaging session all about rappelling. Join us at an amazing local crag for this affordable and enriching experience. You'll practice descending on a unique rock wall with big time views of the city. This trip is recommended for anyone (aged 14+) interested in learning the basics of outdoor rappelling. No experience needed. Join us for an exciting and memorable climbing experience!

• Locations include McConnells Mill State Park, Coopers Rock State Forest, and Frank Curto Park

• Items to be covered in this outing:

  • Gear needed for rappelling

  • Different ways to set up a rappel

  • Techniques for descending safely

  • Lots of fun rappelling time

• Learn To Be A Confident Anchor Builder!

• Building anchors for outdoor climbing can be overwhelming and stressful. How to know what kind of anchor to use and when? How to know the anchor is safe to climb on? How to know the best gear to use in different situations? Let go of the stress by learning to be a confident and skilled anchor builder! Join our experienced and certified guides for a deep-dive into the overarching philosophies and finer details of building and rigging outdoor climbing anchors. A new world of outdoor climbing options will open as you gain the knowledge and experience of building your own anchors.

• Locations include McConnells Mill State Park, Coopers Rock State Forest and Frank Curto Park

• During this trip, participants will learn and practice:

  • the gear required for different types of anchors

  • the knots, hitches and bends essential to anchor building

  • monolithic anchors

  • multi-point anchors

  • tree anchors

  • rock anchors

  • trad gear anchors

  • bolted anchors 

• Important Notes:

  • Participants will not be required to have any past experience with roped climbing, nor possess any climbing gear for roped climbing. ASCEND can provide all required gear. 

  • This trip does not focus on top rope climbing as much as it focuses on top rope anchor building. If you’re more interested in climbing, see our companion top roping trip, Intro to Outdoor Climbing (Top Roping and Rappelling).

  • Participants must be aged 14 or over.

  • Being a competent top rope belayer is highly recommended (ASCEND indoor top rope belay certification)

Make the transition from indoor sport climbing to outdoor sport climbing!

Learn the fundamental skills to take your sport climbing to other gyms or beginner outdoor crags. Our experienced and certified guides will educate and support your transition from indoor to outdoor climbing. We will be climbing at one of Pittsburgh's most scenic and memorable urban climbing areas. With big views of the city and easily accessible climbing, Frank Curto Park is a perfect place to start your outdoor sport climbing adventure. With a focus on safety and universal best practices, students will review Sport 1 skills (clipping, lead belaying, etc...) before learning and practicing important new skills such as:

• building top rope anchors for sport routes

• personal anchor system use

• cleaning a sport route and retrieving your gear

• lowering vs rappelling during cleaning

• using a stick clip

• using a guide book

• specificities related to fixed gear/hardware

• outdoor crag etiquette

Important notes:

• Participants must have successfully completed Sport 1 as well as:

  • be able to comfortably climb 5.9 on lead

  • possess an ASCEND blue lead belay tag

  • have enough experience to lead climb and lead belay confidently

• Participants must be 18 years or older.