Advanced Anchor Building - McConnells Mill, PA

Focus: Non-Bolted Rigging

Description: A comprehensive course on building climbing anchors in environments without fixed bolts. This clinic covers the evaluation of natural features and the use of removable gear to create secure top-rope and traditional climbing systems.

Best For: Climbers ready to take full responsibility for their safety systems and those looking to transition into traditional climbing or top-roping in areas where bolted top-anchors are not present. Trad gear placements will not be a focus of this trip, but may be demonstrated by guides to simulate different anchor systems.

What to Expect:

• Review of common used knots, hitches, and bends essential for secure rigging.
• Hands-on practice with monolithic, multi-point, tree, and rock anchors.
• How to navigate different bolted configurations.
• Conceptualization of multi-pitch and traditional anchor systems.

Prerequisites:

• Solid understanding of basic climbing knots and hitches.
• Has some outdoor climbing experience.
• Must hold a current ASCEND Green Top-Rope Card, or equivalent from another gym (Guide will perform belay test at crag).
• Participants 14-17 must be accompanied by participating guardian.

Location: McConnells Mill State Park, PA

THIS TRIP REQUIRES A MINIMUM OF 2 PARTICIPANTS TO RUN. WE CLOSE BOOKING FOR TRIPS 21 HOURS BEFORE THE TRIP'S START TIME.

SEE BELOW FOR VERY IMPORTANT BOOKING INFORMATION

WAIVER/FORMS

• All participants must sign the ASCEND Outdoor Waiver. This is different than our standard indoor climbing waiver. Participants under the age of 18 must have this document completed by their legal guardian. This waiver is embedded into the registration process of this booking.
• You're also responsible for providing us any relevant medical information. A medical history form will be provided by our guides during the pre-climbing safety meeting. For medical questions or concerns, please email climbing@ascendclimbing.com.

ARRIVAL

• You must show up at least 15 minutes before the booking is scheduled to start.
• Please be prompt so as to respect everyone's time and take advantage of as much of the day as possible. We may move locations, so it is not guaranteed we will be at the specified meeting place for the whole session, and communication methods can be unreliable. Thank you for understanding!

CANCELLATION

• What if ASCEND cancels?
  • Our guides will use their best judgment when deciding whether to reschedule or cancel a booking. We generally schedule our trips for Saturdays hoping to use the following Sunday as a back up day if needed. You will be notified by email if your booking is rescheduled or canceled due to inclement weather, low attendance, or other unexpected/unforeseen circumstances, and will be given a full refund or rebooked into an upcoming trip.
• What if the PARTICIPANT cancels?
  • Cancel more than 7 days before your booking: You will receive a 100% refund to your original payment method.
  • Cancel between 48 hours and 7 days before your booking: You will receive 100% of your payment back as store credit.
  • Cancel less than 48 hours before your booking: No refund will be issued.

GEAR

• Appropriate clothing for the weather and the outdoors (rain shell, boots, etc.)
• Sunscreen/bug repellent (NO deet, damages nylon equipment)
• (Back) pack
• Water/Food
• Closed toed, lacing shoes or boots
• Personal medications
• ASCEND can provide any climbing equipment needed (harness, helmet, shoes). If you need any of these, let us know when completing the registration form and we will bring it to the outing for you!
• Personal climbing gear can be used granted that it passes normal safety checks.

WEATHER

• Forecasts are highly unpredictable until the day before/of a trip. IF on Friday morning/afternoon, the weather is forecasted to be significantly inclement on Saturday, ASCEND will reach out to you via email and we will attempt the trip on Sunday. If the weather is also inclement on Sunday, we will try and reschedule to another weekend in the future or simply cancel the trip. Depending on the type of trip (like anchor building), we may still run a trip if the forecast is calling for light rain.

CRAG ETIQUETTE

• Pets are not permitted during outdoor programming. For safety reasons, we need as few distractions as possible, during our time with you. Service animals are permitted with appropriate documentation in advance. Please reach out to climbing@ascendclimbing.com with any questions.
• You may consider tipping for your guides' efforts that are above and beyond what you would expect. It is common in the industry, but not required.