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Posted by ascentnb on

Boulders?!

Boulders?!

Anyone wanna go bouldering in Welsford?

A few adventurous souls took the time to traverse the eastern slopes of the Mount Doug massif recently and found ~40 quality boulders! A couple of these have definitely been climbed in the past, but the majority have clearly never been touched.  Granite glacial erratics are apparently in no short supply in Welsford if you look in the right places!

The southern boulder field has fewer boulders but is closer to the parking, while the northern clusters have a lot more problems but will take longer to hike up to. No doubt there are dozens more waiting for someone to walk by close enough.

Here's a map! Click the waypoints for more info.

Once a trail is built, the southern boulders will be from 5 to 15 min walk, and the northern area reached in max 30 min. Quality problems abound and the quantity is there. All that is needed now is someone to clean them off and send!

Posted by ascentnb on

Rock School Recap

Rock School Recap

dsc_0002Sunday September 25th saw Ascent NB hold its first ever Beginner Rock School at Cochrane Lane!

The day began windy and chilly but the sun broke through and shone on the 25 participants who braved a windy day at LShape/Joe's. Students learned their figure8 and how to belay before tackling a few routes. This was followed up by a rappelling lesson at the Lookout.

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Everyone had a blast despite the half dozen cold but short rain showers that had us all worried it was the end of our day.  Instead each shower passed and the sun kept coming back to warm us up.  All were knackered by the end of the day and no doubt pretty sore the next day (or two!).

 

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A big thank you to the instructors for helping to put this event on, and a huge thank you must go to UNB Rock and Ice for partnering with Ascent NB and helping to carry the torch of climbing in NB forward. The event raised nearly $1000 towards covering Ascent's insurance bill, and is a big step towards becoming self-sufficient!

We'll be holding another rock school next year in September.  If there's enough demand we may also hold one in the spring.  Fire an email to ascentnb@gmail.com to sign up for information on the next rock school!

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Posted by ascentnb on

Welsford Rendezvous Roundup

Welsford Rendezvous Roundup

Despite a last minute scheduling shakeup, the first ever Welsford Rendezvous climbing festival was a resounding success!14457320_1117308925030536_4545548092491285740_n

On Saturday evening, a strong contingent of the New Brunswick climbing community came together on a chilly and fire-less night to celebrate our shared passion.  In attendance were two of the original three pioneers of New Brunswick climbing, Colin Bell and Fred Doucette. These fine gentlemen were presented with Pioneer Awards and their acceptance speeches were brilliantly nostalgic and crowd pleasing.  It was so great to hear stories about those first years, and to relate to that same spirit of adventure that binds us together today. While not climbing these days, Colin and Fred were no less interested in seeing where climbing has come in the province since their first adventures in the late '70s. Remember, these guys put up Pink Panther before a lot of us were born!14457484_1825626577671889_5366921974225387046_n

The evening also included the Ascent NB Annual General Meeting, a demonstration by the Remote Rescue Team of a steep angle rescue using the new rescue gear cache, and more festivities that included a pull up competition, a rope coiling competition, and some tasty BBQ and frosty beverages.

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The climbing challenges were held on Sunday, where we saw several teams vying for the Cochrane Lane Classics Challenge, with Francois Côté and Eric Sloan besting the competition by climbing the 13 routes in a time of ~6h50m! Alec Manley and Dom Caron came in 2nd with a time of ~7h32m, followed by the brothers Sam and Will Jones at ~8h. The bar has been set and no doubt everyone will be back next year to beat that time.

A single team comprised of Ian Lingley and Lucas Toron took to the Welsford Crags Challenge, which saw them cycling between climbing routes at Cochrane Lane, Eagle Rock, and Bald Peak, before returning to Cochrane Lane in a time of ~1h53m. Well done!
Awards went to:

  • Pioneer Award - Colin Bell, Gilles LaCroix and Fred Doucette
  • Cochrane Lane Classics Challenge - Eric Sloan and Francois Côté
  • Welsford Crags Challenge - Lucas Toron and Ian Lingley
  •  Women's Pull Up Comp - Franca Zambito
  • Men's Pull Up Comp - Greg Hughes
  • Rope Coiling Comp - Max Heffler14448980_1826013847633162_9132734873001602362_n14484790_1117308958363866_559244407897044137_n

A big shout out and thank you to all the participants and folks who came out to support this event.  Considering the circumstances we consider it to have been a huge success and will be continuing next year.  Stay tuned for more info about what we have planned for the next one.

A HUGE thank you to The Radical Edge in Fredericton, River and Trail in Rothesay, and Ocean Trail Source for Adventure in Moncton, for donating awesome prizes for our climbing challenges and door prizes.  You would not believe how excited everyone was to have their numbers drawn for door prizes! It was like a zombie apocalypse (pics anyone??)! Also, thanks to Maybee Brewing for giving us a break on the cost of some delicious beverages!

And of course Ascent would not be where it is without the support of our sponsors, Precision Pilates, Fredericton Volkswagen, and of course14446048_1117308988363863_6051375226740547734_n, UNB Rock and Ice. Their continued support has kept Ascent alive in the first few years as we grow into self-sufficiency. Thank you guys so much!


Sunday also saw Ascent NB hold its first ever Beginner Rock School.  The sun shone on the participants who braved a windy day at LShape/Joe's that saw a half dozen cold but short rain showers get us all worried it was the end of our day.  Instead each shower passed and the sun kept coming back to warm us up. Everyone had a blast and was no doubt pretty sore the next day (or two!). More info to come!

Posted by ascentnb on

Welsford Rendezvous – September 24th

Welsford Rendezvous – September 24th

This weekend Ascent NB is holding the inaugural Welsford Rendezvous on Saturday, September 24th, at Cochrane Lane Cliffs, Welsford, NB.

The date is quickly approaching and you no doubt want to know more about what is coming up.  Our rain date is October 1 but the weather forecast is now looking good for Saturday!

Here's the schedule of events (yes things have changed slightly due to a last minute and completely unexpected closure for moose season by CFB Gagetown Range Control):

Saturday

  • all day till 5 pm :: Climbing at all Welsford crags Eagle Rock and Bear Mountain
  • 5:30 pm :: BBQ in the gravel pit at Cochrane Lane/Ascent New Brunswick Rescue Team Demo
  • 6 pm :: Ascent New Brunswick Annual General Meeting
  • 7 pm :: Pull Up Comp and Rope Coiling Comp
  • 7:30 pm :: Awards Presentations for climbing challenges, door prizes and a special award being presented to Colin Bell and Fred Doucette.
  • 8:30 to 11 pm :: Live music – jam session

Sunday

  • 11 am  :: Pilates Class by donation in the Farmers Field with Cara Hazelton of Precision PilatesPrecision Pilates Logo
  • noon  :: Climbing Comp Registration and Start (Cochrane Lane Classics and Welsford Crags)
  • 6 pm :: Climbing Comps are finished – all participants return to Cochrane Lane
  • 6:30 pm :: climbing competition awards presentations

*Please note that there is an entry fee for both the Cochrane Lane and Welsford Crags Challenges.  It is $10 per person.  You must also be a member of Ascent New Brunswick.  A prorated membership purchased today would be $20.

We're not sophisticated enough to accept plastic, so please bring oodles of cash to buy T-shirts, to cover your climbing challenge entry fees or membership dues and for the barbecued goodness and refreshments. We will also have a donation box at the event site too if you're feeling generous!  We will be giving away a lot of prizes donated to us by our sponsors: River and Trail in Quispamsis, The Radical Edge in Fredericton and Ocean Trail Source for Adventure in Moncton.  Thank you sponsors for the swag!


Remember, Ascent New Brunswick is a completely volunteer based non profit organization that needs financial help to cover its insurance costs.  You can learn more about what Ascent is doing to become more self sufficient at the AGM but know that the dollars you contribute at this event will go a long way towards helping climbing in New Brunswick.


For anyone who would like to camp, you can set up your tent in the farmers field. Here are a few things that you should bring for the event:  a camp chair, your favorite refreshment glass, a puffy jacket (sorry, absolutely NO FIRES), your headlamp, and most important.......your stoke!

Posted by ascentnb on

Beginner Rock School – Sept 25th

Beginner Rock School – Sept 25th

Ascent NB is happy to announce we'll be holding our first ever Beginner Rock School this Sunday, September 25th, in Welsford! Come learn basic climbing techniques as well as how to belay and rappel safely under the close supervision of experienced rock climbers.  No experience or equipment necessary!

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This full day event costs $50 for non-members and $30 for Ascent members (not a member?  you can purchase a membership here) and UNB Rock and Ice members.  ($20 of the fee is a non-refundable deposit; no refunds are permitted in the final week before the event)

Space is limited so sign up early! If we don't receive the deposit from you, then we can't guarantee your spot.

Minimum age of 14 (at our discretion).  Under 16 requires adult accompaniment. Under 19, must submit in advance a waiver signed by the legal guardian.

To register:

  1. send us your deposit by making a "Custom Membership" purchase here for the appropriate amount
  2. and please email ascentnb@gmail.com. Put "I wanna rock! - 2016 Beginner Rock School" in the subject to indicate how stoked you are to learn to rock climb!
  3. ensure you've submitted a waiver either electronically, or in person the day of the event.

All proceeds will go to help pay for Ascent NB's single largest expense, the insurance policy that our land use agreements require.


Rock School has always a great time and is a great introduction to the world of rock climbing.  The event has been33461_135594676488374_802234_n hosted successfully by UNB Rock and Ice for years, but the torch has been passed on to Ascent NB. It should go a long way towards to help achieve our fundraising efforts, but depends on participation - please help spread the word!

 

UPDATE:
We'll be meeting at 10am at the end of Cochrane Lane in Welsford, NB, this Sunday.

 

Posted by Greg Hughes on

Membership Renewal Changes and Member Cards

Membership Renewal Changes and Member Cards

Here is an important message regarding membership renewal.

As some of you may be aware we are about to change the timing of membership renewal for all members.  Beginning in 2017, April 1 will be the ANB membership renewal date as opposed to scattered throughout the year as it is now.  The reason for the change is to simplify the member list update process for Range Control.  We are also mandated by our constitution to make this change now that we have an established membership base.

As we move closer to that date we believe it is only fair to pro-rate any membership renewals and purchases between now and April 1.  To determine what you will need to pay for your membership multiply the number of months between the time of purchase to April by $3.  A standard membership works out to a bit more than that per month but $3 is fine.  So for example if you were to renew or purchase a membership today you would need to pay $27 (9 months x $3).  Once again the best way to pay is online through Paypal but you can also pay by cash or cheque.

If you want to pay in person, any member of the Ascent New Brunswick board or executive will accept your payment.  On the subject of membership cards – all members are entitled to member cards and we will get them to you.  If you do not have a card please contact Kristy McClellan if you are in the Saint John area, Adam Morgan if you are in Fredericton, or Greg Hughes if you are in the Moncton area to arrange for delivery of your card.

Once again thanks for your support!

Posted by Greg Hughes on

Welsford Rendezvous

Welsford Rendezvous

Hey folks Ascent New Brunswick is hosting the first ever Welsford Rendezvous this September 24 at Cochrane Lane in Welsford.  The purpose of the event is to gather our community of climbers from both the past and present to hang out, socialize and partake in the day’s events. We are planning to have climbing comps, games, gear demos, clinics, the Ascent New Brunswick AGM during the morning and afternoon.  In the evening we will have an awards presentation featuring some surprises that no one will want to miss.  The rendezvous will take place in the farmer’s field and gravel pit at Cochrane Lane.  We are currently planning the event and will announce details of the climbing comps and the event schedule soon.  So mark the date on your calendars and see you on September 24.

Posted by ascentnb on

Climber Self-Rescue II Recap

Climber Self-Rescue II Recap

DSC03366Ascent New Brunswick held its second self rescue training session on Sunday, April 16th, this time at the familiar Lookout at Cochrane Lane Cliffs, Welsford, NB. Once again the event was a great success!

DSC034376 instructors led 15 eager and adept participants through Climber Self-Rescue II. Several rather involved skills were covered on a beautiful day that would have otherwise been spent climbing instead!

Self Rescue I & II are intended to give climbers the skills they need for situations that hopefully never happen. So many climbers develop their rope skills eagerly but slack off after learning to lead. Leading propels us into the situations where so much more can go wrong, and it is here that we need to know how to help ourselves without hesitation.  With Self-Rescue I & II, climbers can learn how to help themselves when the situation goes south and hopefully pDSC03454revent the worst from happening.

All course fees go to support the Roped Rescue Team, an initiative borne of Ascent New Brunswick.  The funds raised by Self Rescue I & II have thus far raised over $1500 and have paid for two bomber static lines for the Roped Rescue Team.DSC03335

A big thanks to the instructors, led by Shawn Bethune and Greg Hughes, with Steve Adamson, Joey Kennedy, Chris Hennigar, and Adam Morgan.

At this point we have full intentions of holding these training sessions next year, so stay tuned!!

 

 

 

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Posted by ascentnb on

Self-Rescue I Recap

Self-Rescue I Recap

Ascent NB recently held its first ever Climber Self-Rescue I course! A big thank you to CFB Gagetown and Renée Racine for hosting the event.

selfrescue.jan16.1SRI was a success with 15 participants and 7 instructors spending the day at Base Gagetown's climbing wall covering the knots and skills necessary in self-rescue situations. It was a lot of information for one day, but everyone picked it up quickly and came away with a huge boost in their ability to help themselves when they are in trouble.

$730 was raised and will go towards purchasing ropes and other equipment needed by the Roped selfrescue.jan16.2Rescue team.

Thanks to Greg Hughes and Shawn Bethune for doing a fantastic job as lead instructors, and to the other volunteers, Steve Adamson, Max Fisher, Chris Hennigar, Joe Kennedy, and Adam Morgan.

 

A Self-Rescue II course will be offered April 17th, and will build upon the skills learned in level I (more details to come).  SRI or an equivalent course is a prerequisite for SRII. We will schedule another Self-Rescue Level I course this autumn if we can get another 15 participants.

Contact Chris Hennigar at Chris.Hennigar@gmail.com to let him know you're interested in either course!selfrescue.jan16.3