Pittsburgh Climbing

Numerous structures (bridges pillars, retaining walls, etc.) are climbable, whether for bouldering or equipped for roped climbing, within Pittsburgh and surrounding neighborhoods. Because these structures are made from quarried stone that has been weathered over the years, the routes often climb like real rock, with the features being a combination of "real" rock features, seams between quarried blocks, and the distinctive rounded pockets created by the construction methods used to quarry the blocks. While formal talks are in place with the City of Pittsburgh and other land managers to secure formal permission for climbing in many of these areas, you should not assume that just because people are climbing anywhere in the city that it is legal.  As of winter 2022, there are 27 sport routes at Seldom Seen, 24 sport routes at Frank Curto Park (this is counting a Left, Center and Right variation + a combination of all three, for each of 8 sets of anchors) and another 9 distinct routes on the abandoned pillar in Schenley Park.  A guide for the routes at Seldom Seen can be purchased at Ascend, and there is good information on the routes at Schenley Park here on Mountain Project.  For the time being, you will have to talk to folks about the climbing at Frank Curto Park to get the beta for those. Good luck and talk to a SWPACC member to find out how you can help us realize our dream to Climb Pittsburgh!