Category Archives: Outdoors

Steelers Withdrawal Hike

Thankfully, Venture Outdoors is here to help you make it through the bye week. Hike this sunday so you can eat wings and taco dip next Sunday. I am already signed up for the StepTrek, but this looks like my kind of hike. The folks at Venture Outdoors are great and very welcoming to beginners – no need to feel intimidated, everyone is welcome at their activities.

Steeler Withdrawal Hike
Join us for a hike that is sure to take your mind off the fact that your favorite Pittsburgh football team is on a Continue reading →

Trekable

I made sure to hop on the stairmaster at the gym last weekend so that I will be ready for the annual South Side Slopes StepTrek. If you are an urban hiker or a hiker in gerneral this is an event for you. This is the annual fundraiser for the South Side Sloped neighborhood association.

The StepTrek is a well organized, self-guided tour (trek) up the city steps in the Southside Slopes neighborhood. I did the trek in 2005 and I would rank this as one of the best events I have attended.

Sunday October 14, Noon-4pm
Trek begins at the UMPC Lot at 21st and Josephine Streets.
More info and Online Registration: www.southsideslopes.org/steptrek/

Step Facts:

So, just how many steps are there?  Well, the city of Pittsburgh has 712 public stairways with a total of 44,645 steps.*  When tallied in full, they number 24,108 vertical feet, or over four miles in height.  To put it into perspective, that’s higher than Mt. Aconcagua in Argentina, the tallest mountain in the Western Hemisphere.
* Source Bob Regan Steps of Pittsburgh, 2004

Steps in Art:

The last few years the StepTrek has been fortunate in sharing the wonderful work of artists who have depicted the steps in their art.  This year we recognize painter Cynthia F. Cooley, as our Honorary Chair. www.cynthiacooley.com

Here is a picture I took on the last StepTrek, which is one of my favorite pictures of Pittburgh…

Urban Hike Scavenger Hunt

Yes, I love Urban Hike.  On the last hike, I learned about the first crematorium in the United States and got to see Washington and Jefferson college.  October 21st is the Urban Hike Scavenger Hunt.  I have a few friends who I know will be excited about this.  Maybe we should form an IheartPGH scavenger hunt team (leave a comment or email me info@iheartPGH.com) if you would be interested in joining our team – yes, we will probably get custom t-shirts for the event.

The Steelers have a night game, so what else are you going to do all afternoon?
We always wrap up our hike season with a scavenger hunt, and this year, it’s in Shadyside (and bits of other neighborhoods like East Liberty). If you haven’t experienced one of these before, here’s what you need to do: 1)Gather up a team of 3-5 people. 2)Make sure someone on your team has a digital camera, and clear it of photos (especially the embarrassing ones). Bring the camera and its connection cord to the hunt (so we can download your photos onto our computers and show them to the world).
When: October 21, 2007. Clues distributed at 1:30 pm; hunt ends at 4 pm. Post-game show featuring prizes and your finest photos from 4 till about 5, or longer if we’re still enjoying each other’s company.
We’ll start outside East Liberty Presbyterian Church, 116 S. Highland Ave. Street parking is pretty easy to come by (you don’t have to feed the meters on Sundays).
Ending location: Double-secret. But we can tell you there will be refreshments available (pay your own way).

Directions:
From the Parkway North (I-279 southbound):
Take the Veterans Bridge (I-579) to the 6th Ave exit. Follow signs for Mellon Arena.
Take a left and follow signs for Bigelow Blvd. Continue onto N. Craig St, then turn left on Baum Blvd.
Turn left at S. Highland Mall.
From the Parkway West (I-279 northbound):
Take exit 6C (Convention Center/Strip), follow around to 11th Street.
Turn left on Liberty Ave, left on 40th, right on Penn, right at S. Highland Mall.
From the Parkway East (I-376 westbound):
Take exit 8B toward Wilkinsburg. Continue onto Penn Ave. Turn left at S. Highland Mall.
From the Liberty Bridge:
Take the ramp to I-579 north and exit onto Bigelow Blvd. Turn left on Baum Blvd. Turn left at S. Highland Mall.
Questions? E-mail info@urbanhike.org.

Totally Rad, Totally Free!

RAD stands for Regional Asset District. Part of the taxes you pay in sales goes to funding great stuff in the region. This weekend is the last weekend of RADical days (Sept. 25-Oct.7), so a great opportunity to check out some of the best of Pittsburgh.

Thinking about the zoo – see it for free on Sat. How about the symphony – thats free too!

Here is what is free this weekend:

Saturday, October 6

Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium Continue reading →

Get Out Of That Car & Win Big with the Scavenger Hunt

Well this event has been a year in the making.  The Alternative Transportation Festival is a result of a massive collaboration that started with Engage Pittsburgh last fall.
Friday October 5 is the Alternative Transportation Festival.  Pittsburgh is a hotbed of information, innovation and resources on  alternative transportation.
A number of these groups…

have worked with the Sprout Fund to put together a day of demonstrations, activities and fun in 3 Pittsburgh locations.

  • Schenley Plaza
  • Southside Works
  • Market Square

Win Win Win with the Text Message Scavenger Hunt

ATF Festival Organizers are excited to announce a partnership with Pittsburgh based DeepLocal to put an innovative twist on the traditional scavenger hunt.

GUMBAND, a new information platform developed by DeepLocal, allows users to send short text messages to a
local phone number to find nearby events or activities as well as directions by car, or bus to get from where you are to where you want to be. GUMBAND can also highlight historic sites and local landmarks that are often left out of the public eye.

If you’re interested in checking out this innovative technology, learning more about the organizations participating
in the Festival, and becoming eligible for prizes like $2,000 in GetGo gift cards and Annual Port Authority Passes, free FlexCar memberships, bikes, and and gear from REI then

text ATF SIGNUP to 412-726-2653 or visit
WWW.GUMBAND.COM