Are you new to rock climbing? If yes, practicing rock climbing in a gym is the best for you to learn. Ascend is one of the few rock climbing gyms that has many positive reviews from newbie rock climbers.
Ascend Rock Climbing operates two locations: Ascend Pittsburgh and Ascend Youngstown. Ascend Rock Climbing in Pittsburgh is a bouldering-centric climbing facility with Walltopia climbing walls surrounded by Flashed flooring. All are situated within a spacious second-floor room with a panoramic view of the city from Pittsburgh’s Southside.
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Aside from bouldering, Ascend also provides roped climbing on a 24-foot-tall wall with 20 climbing stations equipped with auto-belays and top-ropes. Cross-training is also an important element of Ascend, so look into climbing-specific training and fitness equipment, or come to one of our yoga or fitness sessions. In addition to climbing, fitness, and yoga, visitors can use the child care, concessions, locker rooms with showers, and different places to rest, study, or work.
2141 Mary Street,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15203
412-745-2141
Western Reserve Rd., 1221 W.
44514 Youngstown, OH
330-330-8878
Classes
Ascend provides a variety of climbing lessons to help you achieve your objectives using tried-and-true techniques. These technical and skill-based sessions are meant to take your climbing to the next level while teaching and reinforcing important safety systems.
Boulder Fundamentals (Beginners)
Are you new to bouldering? Do you still need any pointers? Extend your exploration with a guided bouldering session. Spend an hour with a climbing instructor to get started on the right foot.
- Non-members pay $25; members pay $20. Rental equipment costs may apply.
- Classes last approximately one hour. Please arrive early to check-in and settle in so that we can begin on schedule.
- Reservations for special events are available for $35 per person. Please allow a week for scheduling. At least two people must participate.
Belay Class-Introduction to Top Roping
Do you want to know how to top-rope belay? This beginner course will teach you how to make knots and belay so that you, your friends, and your family can all enjoy roped climbing together.
- Non-members pay $25; members pay $20. Rental equipment costs may apply.
- Classes last approximately one hour. Please arrive early to check-in and settle in so that we can begin on schedule.
- Reservations for special events are available for $35 per person. Please allow a week for scheduling. At least two people must participate.
Climbing Fundamentals (Beginners)
A four-week course designed to introduce a new climber to the sport’s indoor adaptation. Climbing technique, language, bouldering, top-roping, belaying, climbing training, and more will be covered by a teacher. While anybody is invited to participate, this wide, basic course was designed with novice climbers in mind to give them the confidence they need to have fun, stay safe, and meet new friends at the facility. Participants must be at least 14 years old.
- Sessions run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month (attending all classes is strongly recommended).
- $179 for non-members, and $119 for members.
Included:
- Small group tuition in four 2-hour sessions.
- Membership is valid for the calendar month in which the courses are held.
- Renting equipment for the full month.
- Ascend retail outlets offer a 10% discount.
Boulder Beta, Climbing 201 (Intermediate)
A four-week course designed to sharpen your skills. An instructor will lead participants through a variety of climbing techniques such as static vs. dynamic movement, slab vs. overhang climbing, footwork, and projecting! While anybody is invited to attend, individuals who have been climbing for 6 months or longer will benefit the most from this training.
Session length: begins on the first Monday of each month. Attendance in all classes is strongly recommended.
- $179 for non-members, $119 for members
Included:
- Four 2-hour small group teaching sessions
- Membership is valid for the calendar month in which the courses are held.
- Rental equipment for the full month
- 10% off at the Ascend retail store.
Climbing Sport 1: Indoor Climbing (Intermediate)
Learn the fundamentals of leading and belaying. Students will learn how to lead belay with frequently used assisted-braking belay systems, how to clip quickdraws effectively, and how to take lead falls. Outside of this class, leading on Ascend’s top-rope wall is not permitted.
Goals: To give introductory knowledge, hands-on practice, and confidence in leading climbing.
Duration: once a month on specific Saturdays and Sundays.
- The cost is $70.
Prerequisites:
- Ascend Green Belay Tag
- 10-point redpoint
- Climb 5.9 with ease.
- Participants must be 14 years of age or older.
Indoor Climbing Sport 2: Indoors to Crag (Intermediate)
Students will examine lead belaying with frequently used assisted-braking belay devices, cleaning, lowering, and popular sport climbing anchors, in addition to revisiting all subjects covered in Sport Climbing 1. Outside of this class, leading on Ascend’s top-rope wall is not permitted.
- The purpose of this course is to prepare pupils for outdoor sports like climbing.
Duration: once a month on specific Saturdays and Sundays.
- Members pay $70.
Prerequisites:
- Sport Climbing 1 or comparable experience
Outdoor
Ascend Mountain Guides offers Ascend members a reduced rate. Groups of two or more that visit for at least two consecutive weekdays enjoy a 10% discount on guiding fees!
Directions
Meeting Places: Please follow the steps below based on your trip’s planned location:
Coopers Rock State Forest: meet at the main entrance parking lot, GPS coordinates 39.656150,-79.785584. You may enter the GPS coordinates into Google Maps and it should lead you to the parking lot. It is the first parking area on the right as soon as you exit the highway and enter Cooper’s, Rock Forest. When you arrive, you will be able to use the pit toilets in this parking lot; facilities will not be available at the crag right away; you will need to drive back to use them at this first meeting location.
McConnells Mills State Park—The Kildoo Picnic Area parking lot is situated at GPS coordinates 40.951522, -80.168188. You may enter the GPS coordinates into Google Maps and it should lead you to the parking lot. When you arrive, you should be able to use the pit toilets in this parking lot. Facilities will not be available at the crag right away; you will need to drive back to use them at this first meeting location.
Key Takeaways
- Mentorship and education for a fast-growing community
- Ascend is a unique way to spend your Saturday night.
- Rock climbing resources for maintaining your practice.
