Category Archives

Mouse over the pdf below and you can navigate between page 1 and 2 for all the information.

Update: This class is now at capacity.  Feel free to contact us if you want to get on the waiting list.

Update: Glebe Rd has been chosen as the location for this session!

The first Ice Climbing School was such a success and in such demand that Ascent NB will be holding another session on Saturday, March 18th!  The first ice school sold out 2 weeks before the event so don't wait long to sign up!

This full day event costs $100 for non-members (and includes an Ascent NB membership thru April 1st 2018) and $60 for members (including all UNB Rock and Ice members).  Half of the fee is required as a non-refundable deposit, and no refunds are permitted in the final week before the event.

All technical gear is provided (boots, crampons, ice tools, helmets, harnesses) so all you'll need is layered warm, waterproof clothing, your lunch, and your psyche! Space is limited so sign up early.

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 Email Money Transfer to ascentnb@gmail.com
2. email ascentnb@gmail.com. Put "Cool as Ice! - March 2017 Ice Climbing School" in the subject to indicate how stoked you are to try ice climbing!
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.

Thanks Thomas Raithby for the pics!

UPDATE: We're now at capacity for this class.  Feel free to email us to get on the waiting list!

Ascent NB will be holding its first Ice Climbing School on Saturday, February 4th!  The event will be held at the Hatchery, in the Sussex area.

This full day event costs $80 for non-members (and includes an Ascent NB membership thru April 1st 2017) and $50 for members (including all UNB Rock and Ice members).  Half of the fee is required as a non-refundable deposit, and no refunds are permitted in the final week before the event.

All technical gear is provided (boots, crampons, ice tools, helmets, harnesses) so all you'll need is layered warm, waterproof clothing, your lunch, and your psyche! Space is limited so sign up early.

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 Email Money Transfer to ascentnb@gmail.com
2. email ascentnb@gmail.com. Put "Cool as Ice! - 2017 Ice Climbing School" in the subject to indicate how stoked you are to try ice climbing!
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.

Details on boot sizing, location meeting times, etc., will be distributed in the next couple weeks.

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!

Sunday 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.

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!).

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!

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 Pilates
• 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!

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!

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 been 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.

Great news - the Peregrin falcons have moved on for the season! As such, the area closure around the nesting site in the “L-Shape” is now over and all climbs are open.  Unfortunately, it does not appear that the Peregrines were successful this year.

Happy sending!