ASCEND Clubs
The fun will be off the wall!
Explore ASCEND's
Social Clubs
Clubs are a great way to step out of your comfort zone and meet others who share your interest and passions!
Not an ASCEND member?
Enjoy a discounted $18 Club Day Pass while attending these meetups. Run Club, Cycle Club, and Book Club are COMPLETELY FREE to attend, but also offer up the Club Day Pass for those who wish to climb before or after.
Want To Be A Club Captain?
Club Captains have the responsibility of hosting regularly scheduled meet ups at the gym, recruiting new members, and creating a welcoming and safe space for those who join. Typically clubs meet weekly or monthly in the evenings, however as Club Captain you will work with ASCEND Management to set the club schedule. Club Captains should be dedicated to their roles for at least consecutive 12 months. As a "thank you" for supporting the ASCEND Community, Club Captains will receive a free membership and some ASCEND merch!
If you're interested in becoming a Club Captain, please click the button below. Note that we are not always in need of a captain and you may not hear back from us right away. The best way to be seen is to join the club and be a regular participant!
ASCEND Club
Directory
ASCEND
Book Club
The ASCEND Book Club is a way for members of the community to read climbing and climbing-adjacent books together and share our thoughts and experiences! Whether you’re an avid reader or haven’t read a book in years we encourage you to join us! You don’t need to be a member to participate. PLEASE REGISTER BELOW!
Club Expectations: Ideally, club members will participate for an entire book, but anyone is welcome drop in. It is ok to not follow the reading schedule, as it is merely a suggestion to guide discussion during the meetings. The Club Captains are happy to lead discussions, but participants can also bring discussion questions!
Club Captains:
Pittsburgh: Malini Sharma, George Bartle
Erie: Meghan Hennessey
Erie
Generally, we meet from 6-7p on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month. Join our Google Group so we can stay in touch in between meetings!
Pittsburgh
Generally, we meet from 7-8p on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month. Join our Google Group so we can stay in touch in between meetings!
ASCEND
Cycling Club
We host a group rides with various distances and speeds. Pick the best fit for you then stick around after for some climbing. Weekly rides can be generated from anyone in our cycling community. Simply make a post on our ASCEND Cycling Club Strava/Discord groups with where you’ll start from, how far you’ll go and what your expected pace will be. ASCEND Cycling Club is also proud to be a part of the Big EL at ASCEND BikeMS team. Looking for a way to get in miles, have fun, and give back?
In order to participate in Cycling Club you must complete the ASCEND Clubs Waiver - different than the ASCEND Facility Waiver. Registration is merely a courtesy to give us a heads up. If you don't register, but show up, cool! If you register and bail, no worries!
PITTSBURGH:
Club Captains: TBA
To keep up with reminders, last-minute changes and updates, please join:
Discord | Strava | Facebook | Instagram
ERIE:
Club Captains: Steve Steffy
To keep up with reminders, last-minute changes and updates, please join:
MC1R
Many Colors | 1 Route
MC1R is a club that provides people of color (PoC) a safe space to build connections and create a warm and welcoming community. Our mascot is: French fries! We come in many forms, shapes and colors, and some of us like to bring in the spice. White allies are also welcome! We encourage everyone to participate, make friends, bring friends, and develop climbing skills with the rest of us. Climbing is a delightful sport in desperate need of diversity, and we are here to contribute.
Club Captains:
Pittsburgh: Mark Ayitey, Lisa Egede
Erie: Sergio Garnica
To keep up with reminders, last-minute changes and updates, please join:
Neurodivergent
Climbing Collective
The Neurodivergent Climbing Collective (NDCC) is a climbing meetup for independent adults at ASCEND Point Breeze. Our focus is creating a low-key, supportive environment where we can climb with friendly people who “get it,” and having a time, place, and people to commit to, saving you the hassle of planning. All levels, including first time climbers, are welcome! Look for our red panda mascot to find us at the gym! "
To find us in the space during a meetup, look for the Red Panda, serving as our mascot, because they’re excellent climbers and have built in sensory defenses like the white coloring on their faces.
To learn more, please email [email protected].
Over The Mountain
Climbing Club
Over The Mountain Climbing Club is a social climbing club for those who feel old in their knees, but young in their hearts! Join your fellow aging climbers and show those youths that climbing can be a lifelong activity.
Club Captains:
Pittsburgh: Barbara Jensen, Lauri Davidson, Patrick Broderick
Erie: Dana James
Peak Parents
Climbing Club
Don’t let "parent duty" keep you off the wall. Join Peak Parents for a collaborative climbing session where parents take turns belaying and supervising the kids. It’s a collective effort to ensure everyone gets a workout and the kids have a blast together!
Currently meeting at ASCEND Point Breeze on Wednesdays from 4-7p.
To keep up with reminders, last-minute changes and updates, please join the Peak Parent's Group Me.
ASCEND
Queer Scouts
Queer Scouts is a LGBTQ+ climbing club, with the goal of creating connection and a safer and more inclusive outdoors community.
To find us during meetups, just look for the Queer Scout mascot, the tiny rainbow unicorn!
Club Captains:
Pittsburgh: Mallory Waters | Hannah Mazon
Erie: Pamela Perron
ASCEND
Run Club
ASCEND Run Club formed in Pittsburgh in April 2017 and was later expanded in Erie in April of 2024. We're a casual group of climbers who are also born to run! Any and all are welcome and do not need to be a member of ASCEND to participate.
In order to participate in Run Club you must complete the ASCEND Clubs Waiver - different than the ASCEND Facility Waiver. Registration is merely a courtesy to give us a heads up. If you don't register, but show up, cool! If you register and bail, no worries!
Erie: We meet every 2nd Sunday morning at ASCEND Erie at 9:30a to mingle and warm up! If you're late, you better be fast ;)
South Side: We meet every Monday evening near ASCEND Pittsburgh's front desk at 5:45p to mingle and warm up, and take off promptly at 6p! If you're late, you better be fast ;) Typically, everyone starts together and links with similar paces for a 4 mile or 8 mile run around the South Side, ending back at ASCEND.
Point Breeze: Looking for a Monday night run in East Liberty? Head over to Fleet Feet in Bakery Square every Monday at 6:30p. Contact Fleet Feet for more information!
Club Captains:
Pittsburgh: Kristin Rhoa
Erie: Morgan Radel
ASCEND
Sustainability Club
The ASCEND Sustainability Club is dedicated to making the world a better place through environmental stewardship, community engagement, and the promotion of sustainable practices.
Club Values: Sustainability. Environmental justice. Responsible outdoor practices. Curiosity. Respect.
Club Captains:
Pittsburgh: Gretchen Uhrinek, Emily Mullin
Erie: Kelsey Fredericks
WOW
Women On Walls
An ASCEND social club where women climb, learn, and WOW each other!
To find us during meetups, just look for the WOW mascot, an adorable stuffed cactus!
Club Captains:
