Project Ascent

Project Ascent was established to give youth an opportunity to experience nature through rock-climbing and mountain biking. Rock climbing is a unique sport in which individuals are put in a new environment without preconceived expectations on performance or success. Climbing not only involves physical strength but mental fortitude as well. Climbing facilitates problem solving and allows participants to fail in a controlled environment thus promoting adaptation. Communication between climbers plays instrumentally in the success or failure of a climbing expedition. Project Ascent gives individuals the resources and tools to become better leaders, stronger communications and more adaptable for new problem solving techniques. A typical Project Ascent class starts with “ground school”. Ground school covers all safety procedures including proper wearing of harness, learning to tie the figure eight safety knot, Single pitch certified belay techniques and commands associated with climbing and belaying. After ground school climbing techniques are covered. Body position, common hand and foot position techniques are demonstrated to help ensure a successful climb. Ropes are set by Project Ascent guides by varying degrees of difficulty and climbing routes are adjusted according to the groups climbing ability.