ASCEND Erie opened in 2023 and is one of three locations owned by ASCEND, which was founded in Pittsburgh. ASCEND gyms take a holistic approach to fitness, promoting climbing alongside a full yoga schedule and a fitness area. The indoor climbing gym is the first of its kind in Erie, offering Erieites access to bouldering (climbing without a harness on shorter walls), auto-belays, top roping, and sport climbing (climbing with ropes on walls as tall as 52 feet). In addition, the gym provides a "third space" for folks from every area and background within the county. It costs nothing to show up and exist in this space.

ASCEND Erie has started a Queer Scouts climbing club at the gym, located at 426 State Street, Erie, PA. The club meets every second and fourth Tuesday from 6-8 p.m.

On March 9, ASCEND Erie hosted its first Affinity Session, inviting anyone who identifies as Queer, Femme, Trans, or as a Woman to visit the gym and climb for free. More than 20 members of Erie's QFTW community took to the walls, nearly one-third of whom were first-time visitors. ASCEND Erie will host Affinity Sessions on the second Saturday of each month from 6-8 p.m., closing the gym for these special events. Each month will alternate between two affinity groups: QFTW and BIPOC. The first BIPOC Affinity Session at ASCEND Erie will take place April 13.