Our outdoor guiding season runs from April through October, weather depending. We're currently offering four unique courses for you to choose from. See below for the schedule and more details about the various trips we offer.
Get Outside
It's where climbing started.
ASCEND is 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.
Climb Outdoors
With ASCEND
TRIP 1: Outdoor Climbing Experience
Designed For Beginners
Focus: Entry-Level Exposure
Description: An introductory rope climbing (no bouldering) outing focused on climbing movement in a natural setting. This trip is designed for those who want to experience outdoor rock climbing without the need for prior technical knowledge. Guides manage all safety systems and equipment setup.
Best For: Individuals with no prior experience or indoor climbers seeking a recreational outdoor session. Book as an individual or as part of a group! Children ages 12-17 are welcome, but must attend with a parent or guardian who is also an active participant of the trip with a maximum of two kids per adult.
What to Expect:
Introduction to outdoor safety and etiquette.
Basic climbing communication and technique.
Rappelling and plenty of climbing time!
Prerequisites: None! All gear and instruction provided.
Locations:
Coopers Rock, WV
TRIP 2: Outdoor Top-Rope Fundamentals
Take Your Indoor Skills Outside
Focus: Basic Outdoor Top-Rope Climbing Skills
Description: An educational course for climbers looking to transition from the gym to the world of outdoor rope climbing. This trip focuses on the fundamental differences between indoor and outdoor environments, emphasizing safety protocols and basic technical skills.
Best For: Climbers who are comfortable belaying indoors and want to learn the technical basics of outdoor top-rope climbing. Lead climbing and anchor building won’t be covered, so this is more about exposure and learning how indoor skills and systems transfer when climbing outside.
What to Expect:
A focus on education on how to approach being self-sufficient climbing outdoors.
Practice of outdoor-specific safety and crag etiquette.
In-depth look at gear, knots, and communication.
Instruction on rappelling.
Prerequisites:
Must hold a current ASCEND Green Top-Rope Card, or equivalent from another gym (Guide will perform belay test at crag).
Participants 14-17 must be accompanied by participating guardian.
Locations:
Coopers Rock
TRIP 3: Advanced Anchor Building
Become Self-Sufficient
Focus: Non-Bolted Rigging
Description: A comprehensive course on building climbing anchors in environments without fixed bolts. This clinic covers the evaluation of natural features and the use of removable gear to create secure top-rope and traditional climbing systems.
Best For: Climbers ready to take full responsibility for their safety systems and those looking to transition into traditional climbing or top-roping in areas where bolted top-anchors are not present. Trad gear placements will not be a focus of this trip, but may be demonstrated by guides to simulate different anchor systems.
What to Expect:
Review of common used knots, hitches, and bends essential for secure rigging.
Hands-on practice with monolithic, multi-point, tree, and rock anchors.
How to navigate different bolted configurations.
Conceptualization of multipitch and traditional anchor systems.
Prerequisites:
Solid understanding of basic climbing knots and hitches.
Has some outdoor climbing experience.
Must hold a current ASCEND Green Top-Rope Card, or equivalent from another gym (Guide will perform belay test at crag).
Participants 14-17 must be accompanied by participating guardian.
Locations:
Coopers Rock
TRIP 4: Gym to Crag Sport Climbing
Take Your Indoor Skills Outside
Focus: Sport Climbing Systems
Description: A technical clinic focused on the systems required for outdoor sport climbing. This course covers the transition from indoor leading to outdoor lead climbing, specifically addressing fixed-hardware environments. You'll finish the day with more confidence on how to set up and clean sport routes at major regional destinations like the Frank Curto, Breakneck, or New River Gorge.
Best For: Indoor lead climbers who want to become self-sufficient outdoor sport climbers. This is a technical systems clinic; climbing is not the primary focus.
What to Expect:
Identifying and rigging the various bolt configurations found at popular regional crags.
Master the critical skills of cleaning an anchor to get lowered or rappel safely.
Essential tricks for gear management, stick-clipping, and rope drag prevention.
Specific beta and safety considerations for local and regional crags.
Prerequisites:
Must hold a current ASCEND Blue Sport Climbing Card or equivalent from another gym (Guide will perform belay test at crag).
Proficiency in lead belaying, clipping, and taking/catching falls.
Participants 14-17 must be accompanied by participating guardian.
Location: Frank Curto Park, Pittsburgh, PA
Book A
Private Or Customized Trip
If our schedule doesn't work for you, or if you'd like to schedule a different outing type than we're offering as part of our scheduled options above, you can schedule an outing of your liking!
Looking for something that isn't listed here? Girl Scout Group? Bachelor Party? Company Outing? Birthday Party? Family Reunion? 1:1 or Small Group Training? Chances are, we can make it happen for you and your group!
Minimum and maximum group sizes may vary, along with price.
Get To Know Our
Outdoor Guiding Locations
Coopers Rock State Forest
Coopers Rock State Forest in Bructon Mills, West Virginia is a popular climbing destination because it offers a variety of excellent climbing options. Hundreds of high quality boulders offer problems for every level. Accessible top rope climbing ranges from beginner-friendly to challenging. Combine the climbing with stunning scenery and proximity to other great outdoor sports and Coopers Rock is a place you don’t want to miss!
Frank Curto Park
Frank Curto Park is located within Pittsburgh city limits offering epic urban views and super accessible climbing. Thanks to the ClimbPittsburgh initiative of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Climbing Coalition, this hyper local crag has new life as a shining example of the best of urban climbing. New solid climbing gear supports top roping and sport climbing here. You won’t regret checking this place out!
McConnells Mill State Park
McConnells Mill State Park in Portersville, Pennsylvania is a National Natural Landmark featuring a classic covered bridge and a restored gristmill nestled into the steep ravine of Slippery Rock Creek. This scenic ravine provides a great space for bouldering, roped climbing and rappelling. Climbing the super fun Peter Pan route has become a rite of passage for local climbers.