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The Hatchery

Not long after the Hatchery Ice Crag was developed several years ago, Ascent New Brunswick secured an access agreement with a landowner that would permit climbers to cross a piece of land between the parking area on Parlee Brook Road and the cliff. We have worked hard to maintain this access but the landowner has decided to withdraw from the agreement. We would like everyone to respect the landowners wishes and take an alternate approach (detailed below) to the Hatchery until further notice. The landowner has indicated that he may be open to resuming the agreement in the future but not likely this season.

The alternate approach is as follows (approach time 50 minutes):

• Follow the Parlee Brook road (past the bridge) about 1 kilometer southeast until you come to a drainage to the north (on your left).
• Follow the drainage up to a small ice filled ravine. There is actually climbable ice here but nothing too exciting.
• When you reach the top of the ravine turn northwest and walk approximately 400 meters. This will put you near the top of the first wall at the Hatchery.
• Continue north west down to the Hatchery drainage.

Parlee Brook

The next issue involves parking for the Parlee Brook Amphitheater and the Hatchery. The usual parking area now has no parking signs throughout. Do not park anywhere that has these signs. Instead cross the bridge and continue up the Parlee Brook Road and park off to one side of the road far enough away from the no parking signs. We have asked the Department of Highways to plow the road further up to accommodate more parking. It would be wise not to park your car during or immediately after a snowstorm as it could be towed if it were to interfere with snow removal operations.

Keep in mind that we still enjoy great access to both Parlee Brook and The Hatchery. Both of these ice crags fall under an agreement that we have with J.D. Irving. The short cut to the Hatchery is no longer available but the ice still is! You just have to work a bit more to get there. Also keep in mind that there is great ice to be had nearby at Glebe Road and Little Salmon River/Walton Glen.

Climbers,

Last week we learned of a closure of the land which the approach trail crosses on the way to the new ice area: the Hatchery. A 'no trespassing' sign was posted at the trail-head. After negotiations with the family owning the land Ascent NB has worked out a temporary solution  for the remainder of this season.

The landowner has asked to be notified the night before any climbing party plans on heading into the Hatchery. As a way to simplify the communication and protect this person's privacy, Ascent NB has offered to act as the single point-of-contact for the climbing community. So, for the next few weeks we're asking that you send a brief message to our official Facebook profile stating:

• When you plan on climbing?
• How many climbers in your party?
• License plate numbers of any cars parking near the trail-head?

We'd please ask all climbers to respect this request and we'll be happy to relay the information.  In the long-term, we'll be discussing a more permanent arrangement for next year that won't require a sign-in.

The Hatchery will probably be the best late-season ice in NB so lets enjoy!

At the moment this agreement does not extend to the area known as 'The Aquarium'.  This landowner has not yet granted access.  Please refrain from travelling and climbing there until further notice.  Thanks for your cooperation.

The Exec

Climbers,

This morning Ascent N.B. has leaned of an access issue at 'the Hatchery'. This newly discovered ice climbing area quickly rose to fame over the past 6 weeks and has been described as some of N.B.'s best ice. Cars have been lined up at the trail-head every weekend since its discovery.

As of yesterday, a 'no-trespassing' sign has been installed by the landowner at the trail-head. Our initial indications are that this applies only to the land that the snow-shoe trail passes. The climbing areas are on separate properties.

Ascent N.B. is contacting the landowner to assess their concerns, and to work towards restoring access for the community. In the interim, we are asking all ice climbers to please respect this landowner's wish.

It's our hope to have a suitable solution very soon. If none can be reached, we're looking at a potential alternate route to access this area. At the same time, Ascent N.B. has already been in contact with the landowner of the main 'Hatchery' area and is in the early stages of securing a long-term access agreement.

Again, we'd ask you to please respect the 'no trespassing' signage while we work to find a solution. More updates to come.

The Exec,
Ascent N.B.