SUSTAINABILITY SPOTLIGHT
Scaling New Heights for a Cleaner Pittsburgh
Spring-Clean on the Mount calls on volunteers to rappel and remove trash, making Pittsburgh’s front door as stunning as its skyline.
By Gabby Pogel
April 2, 2025
On Saturday, March 29, volunteers and experienced climbers gathered at the Grandview Overlook in Mount Washington to take on one of Pittsburgh’s toughest cleanup challenges. The annual Spring-Clean on the Mount brought together community members and trained rappellers to remove trash from the steep hillside, making the city’s front door as welcoming as its skyline.
Unlike most cleanup efforts, this one required specialized skills and equipment. The rugged terrain of Mount Washington makes it difficult to remove litter, and getting volunteers to scale the hill is no small feat. But with the help of organizations like the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, the Explorers Club of Pittsburgh, and the Mount Washington Community Development Corporation (CDC), this year’s event was one of the most successful yet.
“The clean up was great. Probably our biggest haul ever," said Mike Carlin, Executive Director of the Mount Washington CDC. "Our challenge on the Mount is larger than litter, it’s about managing our viewscape for today and future generations. Every Pittsburgher and every visitor should be able to take in this spectacular view today and 25 years from now. That will take more than one day of work. It will take the effort of many.”
A combination of warm weather (75 degrees in Pittsburgh in March!) and a growing interest in climbing contributed to a strong turnout. In fact, Chris Ruch, Chief of the Allegheny Mountain Rescue Group, noted that his team has doubled in size over the past five years.
This cleanup is the most visible one of the year. As Pittsburgh’s front door, Mount Washington is one of the first things visitors see, and a cleaner hillside leaves a better impression. But unlike litter on city streets, debris on the mount is much harder to clear. It takes a massive effort, both in terms of manpower and liability.
Between 40 and 50 trained climbers volunteered to rappel down the hillside, joined by at least 15 community members who focused on Grandview, Virginia Avenue, and other side streets where trash tends to collect. Local leaders also took notice. Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor made appearances to support the effort.
By the end of the event, volunteers had removed an estimated 2,000 pounds of garbage. Among the haul were at least three full bags of aluminum cans, roughly 25 to 30 pounds, which will be recycled to support the local food bank.
Beyond the cleanup, the Mount Washington CDC is working on a long-term initiative to protect and enhance the Grandview viewscape. Over time, trees planted decades ago have grown so tall that they are beginning to obstruct the famous panorama of downtown Pittsburgh. Managing the hillside is crucial, but it must be done responsibly to prevent landslides, two of which have occurred in the past 20 years due to poor planning.
The CDC’s three-part plan includes:
- Ensuring clear sightlines while maintaining tree coverage to prevent erosion.
- Planting replacement trees immediately if any are removed.
- Controlling invasive species to preserve the natural landscape for future generations.
Grandview Avenue is Pittsburgh’s most important tourist attraction. It needs a clear, unobstructed view, but it also needs to be protected. The work that started this weekend was a major step forward, but the effort must continue. Volunteerism is key, and the more people who step up, the better Pittsburgh’s front door will look for years to come.
Are you an individual or part of an organization, company, or club looking to volunteer with the Mount Washington CDC? Whether you're volunteering alone or with a group, even a single day of service can make a meaningful impact!
To get involved, contact Executive Director Mike Carlin to schedule a date. Email him at mike@mwcdc.org or call/text 412-855-2537 today.
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