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Elevation: 720 ft 219 m
GPS: 40.44029, -80.01017
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Shared By: Justin Johnsen on Sep 16, 2011
Admins: Justin Johnsen, SCPC, SWPACC, EPAC
Warning Access Issue: Formal talks to secure formal permission to climb on City structures are underway with City of Pittsburgh officials, through the ClimbPittsburgh initiative of the SWPACC. However, no formal permission has been granted to date. DetailsDrop down

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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, 16 sport routes at Frank Curto Park (this is counting a Left and Right variation 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 and Frank Curto here on Mountain Project.  Please be on the lookout for a new guide to Frank Curto Park all proceeds which will help support our efforts to Climb Pittsburgh!

66 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Pittsburgh

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
V2- 5+
 5
Pain Train
Boulder
V3 6A
 4
Dreams Killed by COVID-19
Boulder
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a
 10
Little Green Book
Sport
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 4
Tahoe
Sport, TR
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 5
Group Clean Up
Sport, TR
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 6
Disorderly Conduct
Sport, TR
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 4
Urban Dreams
Sport, TR
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 4
Johnny Appleseed
Sport, TR
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 4
Sunset Treasure
Sport, TR
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 4
Don’t Fret the Areté
Sport
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a PG13
 6
Friction Fun
Sport, TR
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Pain Train Arena
 5
V2- 5+ Boulder
Dreams Killed by COVID-19 Bridge Pillar at Sche…
 4
V3 6A Boulder
Little Green Book Seldom Seen > Tunnel Wall
 10
5.5 4b 13 IV+ 11 MS 4a Sport
Tahoe Seldom Seen > Bridge Wall
 4
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Sport, TR
Group Clean Up Frank Curto Park
 5
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport, TR
Disorderly Conduct Frank Curto Park
 6
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport, TR
Urban Dreams Frank Curto Park
 4
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport, TR
Johnny Appleseed Frank Curto Park
 4
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport, TR
Sunset Treasure Frank Curto Park
 4
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport, TR
Don’t Fret the Areté Bridge Pillar at Sche…
 4
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Sport
Friction Fun Bridge Pillar at Sche…
 6
5.11c/d 7a 24 VIII 25 E4 6a PG13 Sport, TR
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