Volunteers rappel down Mt. Washington to clean up litter

PITTSBURGH — Volunteers from the Explorers Club of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Mountain Rescue Group used their climbing skills and equipment to rappel the steep slopes of Mount Washington to safely remove litter on Saturday.

The 28th annual event at Emerald View Park and the Overlook on Grandview Avenue was put on by the club and The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, and comes two years after the last cleanup, as the pandemic postponed the 2020 event.

“We are excited to welcome the Explorers Club of Pittsburgh back to this annual event,” said Kathryn Hunninen, senior manager, special initiatives, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy. “We admire their commitment to helping clean up Emerald View Park. While last year’s event was sadly postponed, we are excited for the return of this decades-old Mount Washington tradition.”

The Explorers Club of Pittsburgh was organized in 1947 to promote exploratory science and adventure.  The club hosts outdoor recreation activities year round for beginner, intermediate, and advanced skill levels.  For more information about the ECP, visit www.pittecp.org.

“The Explorers Club of Pittsburgh is ecstatic to be able to host this event again,” said Jennifer Flaggs of the Explorers Club of Pittsburgh. “We are indebted to all of our partners, including Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, council president Kail-Smith, Allegheny Mountain Rescue Group, and all of the local businesses who support this cause.”

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