Ascent New Brunswick

03/27/2026

Hey folks, just a friendly reminder that the discounted membership rate of $40 is only available for another few days. After March 31, the membership fee will be $50. Go to www.ascentnb.com for more info and to purchase a membership.

03/17/2026

Do you want to help Ascent NB improve access to rock and ice climbing areas in the province? If so, please submit your name and contact information to [email protected] and we’ll be in touch about finding where your skills and interest are best applied to our work. At the current time, we are especially interested in finding someone with communications and social media skills, as well as those interested to lend a helping hand at future Rendez-Vous. We look forward to hearing from you.

02/02/2026

01/22/2026

Ascent New Brunswick would like to inform the NB climbing community of an upcoming increase in membership fees for the 2026-2027 climbing season. Ascent New Brunswick has not had a fee increase since 2015 and we have had a number of increases in our operating budget in the past two years. Due to this fact the Ascent Board and Executive voted to increase member fees for this year. Effective April 1, 2026 the regular adult membership fee will increase from $40 to $50. Student fees will increase from $20 to $25. We are however offering a way for everyone (both current members and new members) to avoid the increase for this year. If you choose to purchase your membership prior to April 1 you can still acquire it for $40. This would also apply to anyone purchasing a membership for the remainder of the ice season. If you buy your membership between now and April 1, 2026 you will have access to the climbing areas which require membership until March 31, 2027. As always if you have any questions or feedback please contact us via email at [email protected].

12/15/2025

The Ascent New Brunswick Executive are happy to report that we have secured access to the Hatchery ice climbing area in Parlee Brook for the 2025/2026 season.

The landowner, Tom Cushnie has asked that we follow the procedure outlined below:

1) If you are not already a member of Ascent please purchase a membership. Go to ascentnb.com to sign up.
2) Text Tom the day before at 506-567-1585, and ask if it is ok to climb there the next day. Include your Ascent NB Member number and the other members names and numbers of those going with you.
3) Make sure he replies and grants permission before going in.
4) Maintain a low profile when going in from road so that no unauthorized people follow you in. Keep in mind that many hikers are looking for areas to visit and the landowner wishes to keep this area closed to non climbers.
5) Respect the environment and follow Leave Not Trace principles including no fires, garbage, etc.
6) Do not post on the New Brunswick Climbing page about climbing at the hatchery or conditions there. In the past this has enticed hikers into the area. Keep in mind that this should be a low key area, that we do not want to promote outside our group.

* Keep in mind that not following the procedures outlined above could result in a loss of access to this cherished area. Please do your part to keep this crag open.

Ascent New Brunswick is a non-profit, volunteer driven organization whose primary goal is to acquire and preserve access to local climbing areas.

11/28/2025

Attention route developers!
If you would like to be reimbursed for your hardware expenses incurred from new route development this past season then you are reminded to submit an expense claim along with details of the routes that you put up. For more information go to

Ascent New Brunswick is a non-profit, volunteer driven organization whose primary goal is to acquire and preserve access to local climbing areas.

11/25/2025

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.

10/20/2025

Access Update: Cochrane Lane & Sunnyside
Ascent New Brunswick would like to provide an update on the current access situation at Cochrane Lane and Sunnyside. We’re pleased to report significant progress toward finalizing a new agreement with the base, and we are optimistic that a signed agreement is just days away.
In the meantime, we kindly remind all climbers to refrain from accessing Cochrane Lane and Sunnyside until further notice. Please do not contact Range Control for permission to climb or visit Camp Petersville to request a pass.
We appreciate your continued patience and cooperation, and we look forward to restoring access very soon.

09/10/2025

City of Saint John crags are now re-opened This includes Cedar point, Glenn Falls and Green Head Cove. McQuirks, Red Rock Mountain and Bear Mountain are also fully open with no time restrictions. Cochrane Lane, Sunnyside and Mount Douglas remain closed. Thanks for your patience everyone.

09/09/2025

City of Saint John Crags are now re-opened This includes Cedar point, Glenn Falls and Green Head Cove. We hope to have an update on McQuirks, Red Rock Mountain and Bear Mountain tomorrow. 

08/28/2025

Here is an update concerning which climbing areas are open and which are closed.

Hampton Marsh (Roadside Wall only) and Eagle Rock are currently open.

Access to Charlotte County crags (Red Rock Mountain, McQuirks Mountain, etc) will only be permitted between 6:00 p.m. and 12:00 p.m. to avoid the hottest and driest portion of the day.

All climbing areas within the city of Saint John remain closed. This includes Glenn Falls, Greenhead Cove and Cedar Point.
CFB Gagetown crags remain closed at this time.

Thank you very much for your continued cooperation during these unprecedented times. Adhering to these guidelines will help preserve access into the future and that is Ascent New Brunswick's primary goal. This remains a very fluid situation and we will update accordingly as it evolves.

08/11/2025

Please check your email for an important message from Ascent New Brunswick concerning access to our climbing areas.