Greg Hughes on The Ascent New Brunswick executive is very happy to announce that all CFB climbing areas have been reopened for members of Ascent New Brunswick. This includes Cochrane Lane, Sunnyside, Bald Peak and Mount Douglas. As per usual, please call in prior to entering the climbing area and be certain to call out when you leave.
Greg Hughes on Preamble
Below is Ascent NB’s 2025 Annual Report. The purpose of the report is to give you a year in review that includes the most important items pertaining to Ascent NB and its members.
1. Membership
2. Elections
3. Resignation
4. Access
5. Development
6. Icefest 2024
7. Red Rock Rendezvous
8. Adopt-A-Crag Program
10. Annual General Meeting Agenda
Greg Hughes on Preamble
Below is Ascent NB’s 2024 Annual Report. To avoid interminable presentations around the fire during the AGM, below are the Ascent NB 2024 AGM updates. Some will be discussed on September 14th and others will be limited to this written update.
A huge thanks to Backtrails Radical Edge, River and Trail, Fredericton Bouldering Co-op, Graystone Brewing and Fitrocks for their contributions to the 2024 Ascent NB AGM.
1. Membership
2. Election
3. Resignation
4. Access
5. Development
6. Icefest 2024
7. Red Rock Rendezvous
8. JEDI
9. Adopt-A-Crag
10. Annual General Meeting Agenda
Prior to beginning the annual general meeting, Ascent NB Board Members will run through the procedure and parameters of the meeting.
Greg Hughes on Ascent New Brunswick is launching the Adopt Crag program. The purpose of the program is to help keep our climbing areas in good condition. In order to do that we need help from members of our climbing community. Our goal is to have at least one person assigned to each of the crags on the list below. Volunteers will carry out a list of duties. See below for the list. Larger crags like Cochrane Lane will need several people. If you would like to give back to the community and help in our efforts to maintain our climbing areas in good condition, please consider joining in this effort.
For more information or to sign up send us an email indicating which crag you would like to be a steward for.
List of crags:
List of duties:
Greg Hughes on We are now into the 2024 membership season and it is time to renew your Ascent NB membership (or join for the first time)! We are currently accepting memberships for the 2024 season (April 1, 2024 - March 31, 2025).
To complete this process click on the link below and follow the steps described on that page:
All existing memberships will expire as of March 31, 2024. Join now to ensure you're ready to go as soon as that first warm, sunny day arrives! Members that renewed their memberships recently will retain their good standing. Memberships are typically processed by Thursday evening each week.
Membership rates are $40 for adults and $20 for students.
We remind all members that the Peregrine Falcon closure at Cochrane Lane is in effect as usual, and no climbing is allowed between Gollum's Cave and Pooh Corner from April 1 to August 1. Reindeer Land is fair game, as is Waterfall Layback, but not in between.
Remember, being a member of Ascent New Brunswick comes with its rewards, such as:
AscentNB Admin on This year there will be two positions up for election on the Ascent Board of Directors and three on the Executive. Nominations for these positions must be submitted 14 days prior to the election. The nominees will be communicated to the membership prior to the AGM. Voting will take place at the AGM using a paper ballot. Anyone wishing to vote who cannot attend the AGM can do so via email
Timeline
August 18 - Deadline for nomination and submissions.
September 9, 2023 - Voting takes place during AGM (Welsford Rendezvous).
Descriptions of positions
Board of Directors (2):
These are at large positions with no specific duties or responsibilities listed.
Typically, board members offer council on big picture matters and decisions usually concerning Ascent Policies and Procedures. Board members often sit on committees designed to formulate policy. These are two year term commitments.
These seats are currently held by Dom Caron and Phil Ouellette. In order to run for one of these positions candidates must have 5 years of outdoor climbing experience.
Executive (3):
President (Greg Hughes) - the President's primary responsibility is to manage access issues including concerns and agreements. Other duties include policy development and vision. This is a two-year term. Candidates for this position must have held a previous position with Ascent New Brunswick either on the Board of Directors or Executive.
Treasurer (Mike Delaney) - the primary responsibility is to manage the financial matters for Ascent. This includes deposits and expenditures and accurate record keeping of the books.
Crag Stewardship Coordinator (Luke Perrin) - this position is designed to help address issues with crags that are of an environmental nature. Everything from making signs at crags to coordinating removal of trash to organizing trail days.
Submissions
All positions listed above are open for nominations.
Note that the incumbents have indicated that they will be reoffering.
To apply, please submit your candidature to ascentnb@gmail.com (subject: Ascent NB < position > candidature) with a small paragraph about yourself and why you are applying; To be shared with the membership.
AscentNB Admin on We are now into the 2023 membership season and it is time to renew your Ascent NB membership (or join for the first time)! We are currently accepting memberships for the 2023 season (April 1, 2023 - March 31, 2024).
To complete this process click on the link below and follow the steps described on that page:
All existing memberships will expire as of March 31, 2023. Join now to ensure you're ready to go as soon as that first warm, sunny day arrives! Members that renewed their memberships recently will retain their good standing.
Membership rates are $40 for adults and $20 for students.
We remind all members that the Peregrine Falcon closure at Cochrane Lane is in effect as usual, and no climbing is allowed between Gollum's Cave and Pooh Corner from April 1 to August 1. Reindeer Land is fair game, as is Waterfall Layback, but not in between.
Remember, being a member of Ascent New Brunswick comes with its rewards, such as:
Greg Hughes on 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+ point
s 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!
Greg Hughes on 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!
*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'.
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.
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!
Greg Hughes on 
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:
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!
