Get To Know

Hi! I’m Abby. I work as a youth coach and front desk assistant at Ascend Point Breeze. I love to climb, backpack, run, bike, paddle…pretty much anything outside! If you see me at the gym feel free to say hi or come talk climbing with me!

I have been climbing for 3 years and now as a coach I love watching kids completely surpass my climbing abilities! Outside of climbing I skate with Steel City Roller Derby, love to knit, and spend too much time binge watching trashy tv.

Hi! I’m Avery I’m a Pitt student and I’ve been a youth coach for almost 2 years! I’ve spent the better part of my life on the climbing wall, but I also love reading, acting, making art, and I’m an avid concert goer.

Hey! I’m Brannon, a youth coach. I’ve been climbing since 2022 and enjoy every second I spend on the wall. I’m also a nationally ranked Laser Tag player!

Contact Information:
Instagram: Twink182

I’m Bri and I have been a youth coach at Ascend for approximately four years! I was born and raised in Rhode Island but I have been calling Pittsburgh home since 2018. When I am not coaching at Ascend, I can be found teaching music during the day at an elementary school. I enjoying traveling and going to see live music.

I'm Craig, one of the climbing guides/instructors at ASCEND. I've been climbing for 15 years and been here at ASCEND for 3 now. I love getting outdoors and especially enjoy trad climbing at the Gunks. Most recently I have taken up top rope soloing at some local crags with my wife and 2-year old. My passion for instructing comes from the joy of watching others grow in their climbing knowledge and skills. When I'm not climbing I enjoy trail running, backpacking, paddling, playing board games, and drinking coffee on the porch.

Hello, I am Justin, I've been climbing here since around October 2022 and started working here June 2025. I am an Eagle Scout from Troop 73. I have many hobbies from Scouting like backpacking, snowshoeing, kayaking, I can go on. I found out about Ascend from my Scoutmaster and now I can't stop climbing. After about 2.5 years of climbing here, I finally applied for coaching summer camp which led to me coaching the A-Team and later getting into assistant-setting and then front desk staff. I mostly like bouldering, but I just started lead climbing and really like that too.

Contact Information:
@rage_basically is my Instagram

I got hooked on climbing as a kid. I've enjoyed what climbing has brought to the rest of my life and I want to share that. We can learn how to face our fears, stick with challenges, and build community through climbing.

Hi I'm Logan and I love inspiring a love of climbing in new climbers! I've been climbing since I was two years old and I've been hooked ever since!

Marilyn has been climbing since she fell in love with the sport in college. With five years of coaching experience under her belt, she currently works with high school aged climbers and loves fostering the confidence they need to transition from guided learners to self-reliant climbers.

A Pittsburgh native, Marston discovered his passion for climbing over 20 years ago at The Climbing Wall. Now serving as Director of Youth Coaching and Climbing, he has spent the past five years leading the youth department, coaching the competitive team, and supporting both youth and adult instructors at all ASCEND facilities. Marston believes that sport is one of life's greatest teachers, instilling the values of discipline, perseverance, and growth that extend far beyond the wall. That philosophy helps to drive everything about the way he approaches coaching. He believes in creating an environment where climbers of all levels can challenge themselves, push their own boundaries, and learn the value of hard focused effort. When not helping others find their love of climbing, you can often find Marston out on a climbing trip of his own!

Contact Information:
[email protected]

Hi! Im a third year college student at Pitt. Climbing is my second hobby and i’ve been doing it for 6 years now.

Sarah joined the ASCEND Erie squad shortly after it opened in 2023. She's worn many hats around the gym, from MOD to Summer Camp Chaos Coordinator—but her favorite has been coaching teens on the A-Team! Off the clock, she's a member of ASCEND's Sustainability Club. When she's not climbing, you can catch her reading or teaching social studies to students who are probably taller than she is.

Hi- my name is William and I have been climbing since February 2023! When I'm not on the wall, I can usually be found improving my French or watching music videos with my friends. Find me at the desk if you want to chat!

Hello, I'm Zach (aka Zart), and I work at the Ascend Erie location. I've been climbing ever since I was a cub scout, and I try to stay pretty active in the gym. So feel free to message me about climbing.

Contact Information:
Insta: zhart7677