Celebrating One Year of Ascension
Written by Shonagh, Operations Manager, Climb 2 Recovery
When I was medically discharged from the military, I didn't know who I was anymore. I was trying to figure out what I was capable of, what my future looked like, and whether I'd ever feel like myself again. Then I found Climb 2 Recovery (C2R) on a winter course, and it quite literally changed my life.
About six months later, when I was getting discharged and having that wobble—you know, the "what am I doing with my life" moment—Joe, our CEO, asked me if I wanted to help out. So I did. A bit of this, a bit of that. And over the last four years, it's grown into everything I do now as Ops Manager for C2R.
That's why I became obsessed with one thing: making sure no woman had to wait as long as I did to find this space.
When I arrived at Climb 2 Recovery, there were about ten women across the whole organisation. 10. And I kept thinking—how many more are out there who need this but don't know it exists? How many are sitting at home thinking a full four-day course is too much, or that they'd feel more comfortable with other women, or that they just need something smaller to start with?
That's when Ascension was born. We developed it last year, and this August we've already celebrated its first anniversary. A year. 60 women. It's mad, really.
Why Women Need Their Own Space
Here's the thing: I don't say that because there's anything wrong with our main courses. There isn't. But I know from my own journey that sometimes you need to arrive somewhere and just be yourself without feeling like you have to prove anything or keep up with anyone. Sometimes you need to sit with women who get it—who understand what it's like to be medically discharged, to figure out who you are after service, to feel a bit lost and a bit brave all at the same time.
The women's weekends were created to be a gentler gateway. Two days instead of four. Single-sex environment. Smaller group. More breathing room. But still all the good stuff—climbing, connection, community, the feeling that someone understands.
From 10 to 60
In just four years, our women's group has grown from 10 members to 60. 60! Every time I think about that number, I get a bit emotional because I know what each of those women represents. I know the courage it takes to sign up. I know the relief they feel when they arrive and realise they can just be themselves.
And this August, we celebrated Ascension's one-year anniversary.
The August Weekend: 1 Year Old!
We had 12 women join us at that August weekend. Women ranging from complete beginners to experienced climbers. 12 women who arrived on Friday the 14th, some not quite knowing what to expect. All of them left on Sunday the 16th feeling stronger, more connected, and more confident.
What made this particular weekend special was that we had a yoga instructor join us. So alongside the climbing, the belaying, the sandwiches at the crag and the unpressured chatting over cups of tea, we also had moments of stillness and grounding. It sounds like a small thing, but when you're someone working through recovery, those moments can really matter.
Three women joined us for the first time that weekend. And here's the bit that makes me proud: all three of them have since gone on to join our main courses. They took the confidence, the friendships, the sense of belonging they found at Ascension and carried it forward into the wider C2R community.
That's exactly what I'd hoped for when we created this.
What People Tell Me
I hear the same things again and again from women who've done an Ascension weekend:
“The relaxed atmosphere allowed me to engage and not feel anxious.”
“There was no pressure to be anything other than myself.”
“I always come away from these courses feeling stronger, more confident”
And honestly? That's everything to me. Because I remember what it felt like to be that woman sitting nervously, wondering if she belonged, wondering if anyone would understand. I know how transformative it is when you realise that you do belong, that people do understand, and that you're stronger than you thought you were.
What to Expect
If you're thinking about joining a women's weekend, let me tell you what actually happens. Because sometimes it helps to know the practical stuff.
Before you arrive: Our membership team will get you signed up, and I'll create a WhatsApp group just for that specific weekend. I'll ask about accommodation preferences (we usually do rooms of two, but we can do single rooms too), dietary requirements, shoe size, and any equipment needs. Don't worry if you don't have climbing experience or gear—we've got you covered on all of that.
Friday evening: Arrival is relaxed. Come whenever suits you, have a cup of tea, meet people if you want to, or just settle in and have some quiet time. There's no pressure either way. Some people will want to chat and get to know everyone straight away. Some people will want to put their headphones on and have some space. Both are completely fine.
Saturday: Early start with a communal breakfast—make what you want, eat with people or alone, it's up to you. Then we head to a crag in the Peak District. You'll climb, you'll belay, you'll chat, you'll eat cake, and you'll do as much or as little as feels right for you. If climbing feels like a lot, it's absolutely okay to spend more time chatting or just watching. If you want to get on the rock and push yourself, brilliant. The instructors are there to support you either way. We break for lunch whenever people fancy it—no prescribed time, just whenever you're hungry.
Saturday evening: We come back and make dinner together. Again, no pressure to join if you want some quiet time, and no pressure to leave early if you're having a lovely time. Some evenings there are games, puzzles, card games. Some evenings people just chat or head to bed early.
Sunday: Same kind of thing at the crag, and then we head home in the afternoon.
Why This Matters
At Climb 2 Recovery, our purpose is recovery. Climbing gives us a way to come together, build trust, and rediscover what feels possible. But honestly? The connections made over a cup of tea matter just as much. The shared laughter. The feeling that someone understands. That's the real work.
When you join an Ascension weekend, you're not just getting a weekend away. You're stepping into a community. You're meeting women who've been through similar things, who get it without you having to explain. And if you go on to join a main course later, you'll already have familiar faces there. You'll have friends. You'll have people who've already seen you be brave.
To the 60
I want to say thank you to every single woman in our group. Thank you for showing up. Thank you for being brave enough to try something new. Thank you for supporting each other. Thank you for growing this from 10 to 60.
A huge thank you to those who celebrated 1 year of Ascension with me, I hadn’t planned to mark the occasion with a cast on my foot - but I know if I showed up the community would support me - and you were all amazing.
And to anyone reading this who's thinking about whether a women's weekend might be for them: you don't need climbing experience. You don't need to arrive feeling confident. Just turn up.
That's what this community does. That's what it did for me. And it's what we get to do for you.
Ascension women's weekends run throughout the year in the Peak District. To find out more or to book a place on an upcoming weekend, get in touch with our membership team at Climb 2 Recovery.
