Southwestern Pennsylvania Climbers Coalition

08/25/2026

We need your help to represent our community at this year’s Rock The Quarry, an event that brings folks together with music, food, and memories at the beautiful quarry along the Panhandle Trail. This is a unique opportunity to demonstrate rock climbing to the public and help us advance SWPACC’s mission.

We are looking for volunteers to assist with two important tasks:

1️⃣ Demonstrate Climbing: Show event-goers what climbing is all about by climbing some routes that have been established at the quarry.

2️⃣ Table & Educate: Staff a table to talk about SWPACC’s mission and our ongoing work with the Collier Friends of the Panhandle Trail.

This Friday, August 28th (5 PM – 10 PM) and Saturday, August 29th, (3 PM – 10 PM) on the Panhandle Trail, Collier, PA | 38 Walkers Mill Road, Carnegie, PA.

Learn more and register at SWPACC.org/events.

08/18/2026

📣 Redtown Crag at Roaring Run Work Day! 📣

Wouldn’t you know it? MORE new routes. This one has some boulders too! Once again, no specific skills are needed to help out, and SWPACC will be supplying breakfast/coffee, lunch, and all tools necessary. Only thing you need to do is sign up and show up!

🕧 WHEN: Saturday August 22, 9am – 3pm (but feel free to come for whatever timing works for you)
📍WHERE: Redtown trailhead at Roaring Run in Apollo, PA

Register at swpacc.org/events

08/18/2026

SWPACC will be hosting a short trail building workshop! We’ll be going over some basic best practices relevant for the types of projects SWPACC typically undertakes. And to sweeten the deal (literally), there’ll be an ice cream sundae bar!

⏰ WHEN: Thursday, August 20, 7 – 8:30p (but feel free to come for whatever timing works for you)

📍WHERE: ASCEND South Side, 2141 Mary Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203

Register at swpacc.org/events

07/28/2026

Learn more and RSVP at swpacc.org/events! 💪🪏🛘

07/01/2026

Spring 2026 Volunteer Workdays Round Up!

They say time flies when you’re having fun. We’d be remiss if we did not acknowledge all we accomplished during our crag stewardship days earlier this Spring. As usual, none of it would be possible without the help of volunteers.

SWPACC hosted work days at three of our main climbing areas this past March and April: Breakneck, Ohiopyle State Park, and Frank Curto Park. 35 dedicated individuals showed up, rolled up their sleeves, and got sh*t done!

Read the whole blog at swpacc.org/news

05/18/2026

Calling all coffee-loving-climbers! Swing by Rockwell Park (close to ASCEND Point Breeze!) for happy hour and get a FREE oat milk beverage on the house, courtesy of Oatly! Along with a special edition drink special, horchata 👏

🕧WHEN: Wednesday, May 20 I 9am-12pm
📍WHERE: Commonplace Coffee - Rockwell Park (7514 Thomas Blvd suite 100, Pittsburgh, PA 15208)

Pay it forward by making a donation to SWPACC, and will match your donation 🥰

05/04/2026

5/4-5/7: CLIMBING CLOSURE

ATTENTION: Frank Curto Park will be temporarily CLOSED TO CLIMBING from Monday, May 4 through Thursday, May 7. Allegheny Goatscape will be bringing their friendly goats to help trim back the brush along the steep hillside below the belay area. The entrance to the climbing area will be blocked off and fencing will be placed to contain the goats. This is the start to a multi-phase process to restore the hillside’s ecology with native plants. Thank you, Allegheny Goatscape!

04/30/2026

The goats will be so happy 🐐! Next week, will be making a visit to tackle the growth on the steep hillside below the belay area at Frank Curto Park.

Last night, in the rain, SWPACC volunteers hauled out a literally ton of junk to make way for the goats. 😮‍💨

Thank you to everyone who pitched in on this important project!

04/16/2026

Climbers! A friendly reminder to share your thoughts with Access Fund! Survey is live through April 17!
This survey is an important effort to better understand climbers across the country -- how they see themselves, what they value, how they think about stewardship, conservation, and advocacy, and the role that national and local climbing advocacy organizations play in protecting their interests. The insights will directly inform how Access Fund can better serve and support the community in the years ahead.

Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts!
https://www.accessfund.org/latest-news/take-our-2026-climber-survey

Oh yeah - and there are prizes involved. 😁

Hey you. Yes you. The one who said “Today’s the day!” about sending their project. Again.

We see you, and right now, we need a favor.

Access Fund is asking climbers everywhere to tell us what they truly care about. Your answers will help shape the future of climbing conservation. You know, the future of the places you'll happily drive three hours to, just to get punted off the rock. (You love it though).

Share your opinions with us and be entered to win some really cool prizes—37 prizes to be exact. That's about as many times as you said "okay, one more go" before finally sending your proj.

If you care about protecting climbing's future, take our survey: https://www.accessfund.org/latest-news/take-our-2026-climber-survey

If you don't, well, you do you, boo.

📸: Todd Bukowski

04/05/2026

Join us for another workday at Ohiopyle! This coming Saturday 4/11 at Bruner Run. Get more details and register at https://www.swpacc.org/calendar/.