The third annual Welsford Rendezvous was a solid success! Over 80 climbers from all the Maritime provinces enjoyed the great climbing that Welsford has to offer.

This year's climbing challenges drove most climbers to Sunnyside and Cochrane Lane Cliffs. Many participated in the Sunnyside Throwdown and the Points Challenge, but this year surprisingly no one attempted the Cochrane Lane Classics. Highlights include 26 routes climbed at Sunnyside by Luc Gallant and Dom Caron, and 280+ points tallied by Francois and Emily Coté for the Points Challenge. Way to go everyone who participated!

After a beautiful day of climbing, everyone gathered at the gravel pit for a Roped Rescue Team demonstration while enjoying the BBQ and curious horses. This was followed with a glorious fire and the Ascent NB AGM and awards and prizes. The Pull Up comp ensued with sufficient libation.

Elections for Ascent NB's executive were held during the AGM and saw Greg Hughes and Jon Adamson stay on as President and VicePresident respectively. Secretary/Treasurer was split up to spread out the work load and get more bodies in action. Mike Delaney stayed on as Treasurer, and new blood entered the ranks this year with Krista Cowling coming on as Secretary! The board of directors all stayed on but Max Mathies joined in to provide some more perspective from the new generation of climbers. Thanks Krista and Max for stepping up!

Joe Kennedy was justly recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award and accepted the award graciously. Congratulations Joe and thanks for all you've done for New Brunswick climbing!

Thank you to Welsford Volunteer Fire Department for being on site all day Saturday. Thankfully no emergencies drew their attention away!

And a big thanks to The Radical Edge for supplying us with some fantastic prizes for the climbing challenges!

Alright ladies and gentlemen, everyone in between and beyond, we have a few climbing challenges lined up this year for your vertical pleasure.

All those who successfully complete their  chosen challenges will have their names entered in the hat for some primo prizes! Honour system is in effect. You can start as early as you like but be back to the farmer's field by 4pm!! No soloing or simul-climbing.

During the evenings' festivities, we will also have our annual pull-up, rope coiling, and blind tie in competitions!

Cochrane Lane Classics

*Simply* climb 13 selected routes from the original Colin Bell guide book in one day. Parties of 2, all free, with both climbers ascending either in lead or second.

The 13 routes are: Ride a Cock Horse, Kit Kat, Gollums Cave/Reindeer Land, Ejaculator, Jean, Cheekbone Corner, Snot, Sinus, Waterfall Layback, Pink Panther, Light Fandango, The Boulevard, and Some Enchanted Evening.

Record your times for posterity but let's put safety first! GPS data would be cool, just sayin'.

Sunnyside Throwdown

A perennial favourite. Parties of 2 climb as many routes at Sunnyside as they can. 1 route climbed clean gives your party 1 point. Most points win!

All bolts must be clipped and the route must be led and followed clean (or second climber leads clean again).

Spandex encouraged.

Points Challenge

Ok something new... climb up to 12 routes of your choice, anywhere in Welsford, and collect as many points as you can. Teams of 2 climb together and submit the sum of their individual routes climbed. Most points wins!

• _{Points are awarded for sending a route “clean”.}
• _{No points are awarded if a climber falls.}
• _{Each team may only climb a route once, except in the case of a fall (climbers can’t run laps on routes, but can try a route again if they didn’t get it clean).}
• _{A trad route which is pinkpointed will be awarded the same points as a sport route unless gear is pulled and replaced. Both climbers may climb the same routes but are not obligated to do so.}

Ascent NB will be holding an Introductory Rock Climbing School on Sunday, September 9th, in Welsford! Come learn basic climbing techniques and how to belay and rappel safely under the close supervision of experienced rock climbers.  No experience necessary! All equipment provided!

Proceeds help pay for Ascent's single largest expense, the insurance policy that our land use agreements require, and to purchase new ropes and gear for future rock and ice schools.

All equipment is provided for this full day event. Admission costs $100 for non-members (price includes a half-year Ascent membership), or $80 for Ascent members (not a member?  you can purchase a membership here).  ($40 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 via Email Money Transfer to ascentnb@gmail.com
2. then email ascentnb@gmail.com. Put "I wanna rock! - 2018 Intro to Rock Climbing 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.

Rock School has always a great time and is a great introduction to the world of rock climbing. These events go a long way towards to reaching our fundraising goals, but this all depends on participation - please help spread the word!

Ascent NB is happy to announce the third annual Welsford Rendezvous, on September 8th!

Join the fun as climbers from around the Maritimes flock to Welsford to celebrate our sport, our access, and each other.

Climbing challenges thru the day will be followed by a gathering at the gravel pit to round out the day. There we'll see BBQ, games, Ascent NB's AGM, awards presentation, and prizes awarded from our sponsors' donations to carry us well into the night!

More details will come as the date approaches!

Ascent New Brunswick is happy to announce that we had our grant application approved by Mountain Equipment Co-op and we now have our own rock climbing gear!

MEC gives back to the community in many ways, not the least of which is offering Spring and Fall grants. Our 2017 Fall Grant application was written in request for enough rock climbing gear to be able to hold our Beginner Rock Climbing Schools without relying on others for equipment. We applied for the 2017 Spring grant but were at the end of a long line and were told to reapply in the fall. We did, and our persistence paid off!

We received:

• 8 Maxim Equinox 10.2mm ropes
• 32 BD Positron Screwgate Biners
• ~50m 8mm Mammut static cord
• 8 BD ATCs
• 8 Edelrid SMS Strike Screwgate Biners
• 30 Edelrid Zodiac Helmets
• 30 pairs of La Sportiva Tarantulace Rock Shoes
• 30 BD Momentum Harnesses
• 5 110L MEC Duffle Bags

In total, about $9,300 worth of gear!

This gear represents seed funding that should permit us to offer rock climbing classes for years to come. The revenue generated from these classes will allow us replenish our own gear over time and to be able to offer these classes indefinitely.

We're beyond stoked to have received this gear! Onward and upward!

Checkout a little video of the unwrapping!

Ascent NB will be holding our first Beginner Rock School of the year on Saturday, May 5th, in Welsford! Come learn basic climbing techniques and how to belay and rappel safely under the close supervision of experienced rock climbers.  No experience necessary! All equipment provided!

Proceeds help pay for Ascent's single largest expense, the insurance policy that our land use agreements require, and to purchase new ropes and gear for future rock and ice schools.

All equipment is provided for this full day event. Admission costs $80 for Ascent members (not a member? click here for more info).  ($40 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 via Email Money Transfer to ascentnb@gmail.com
2. then email ascentnb@gmail.com. Put "I wanna rock! - May 2018 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.

Rock School has always a great time and is a great introduction to the world of rock climbing. These events go a long way towards to reaching our fundraising goals, but this all depends on participation - please help spread the word!

This course is full!

Due to popular demand we are offering a special Advanced Rock School on May 12 at McQuirks Mountain near St. George. The cost of the course is $80 and is available to all Ascent Members. This course is designed for anyone who has taken the Beginner Rock School or the equivalent and is looking to progress in the activity.Curriculum includes:

*Lead belaying

*Anchor building

*Cleaning an anchor

*Rapelling

Space is limited so act now. Send a $40 deposit to ascentnb@gmail.com to guarantee your spot.

This class is now full.

Ascent NB will be holding an Ice Climbing School on Saturday, March 17th!

This full day event costs $100 for non-members (this includes an Ascent NB membership thru April 1st 2019!!!) and $60 for members (including FitRocks and 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. Bring a friend and you each will get a $20 discount!

All technical gear is provided (boots, crampons, ice tools, helmets, harnesses, belay devices) so all you'll need is warm layered waterproof clothing, water, 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! - February 2018 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.