Trip #451 Lorenz Avenue, Elliott, Pittsburgh took place on May 25, 2020, and was published on June 17, 2020.
Wutaishan is a mountain in China that has a staircase specifically designed to help visitors reach one of its peaks. But there’s a catch; it’s 1,080 steps long. To give that some context, it’s like climbing Pittsburgh’s longest flight (Raye Avenue in Brookline) three times. Some visitors see the stairs as a physical challenge and try to ascend as quickly as possible. Others create a slower experience, stopping for photographs, breaks, and snacks along the way. (And then there are those who purchase a ticket for the tram-lift, but that’s a different story for another day.) Throughout our lives, we travel our stairs in many different ways; sometimes, we need to hurry or want to test our capacity. Other times we prefer to wander around without looking at the clock. Whether you’re in an exciting race or a meandering meditation, enjoy your climb and the view you’re rewarded with when you reach the top.
Field Notes: I wasn’t sure if this long wooden flight was viable all the way, but it is! A few uneven patches, but all is good – and quite pretty this time of year.
See the Risograph print of this photo and story in the Mis.Steps Shop.
Want to visit these stairs? You can locate them on the Pittsburgh City Steps Plan website!
Like watching videos? Check out PCTV21’s 100 Things to Do in Pittsburgh YouTube channel. Hosted by author and journalist Rossilynne Culgan, there’s even an episode where she interviews me about City Steps. When you want to start planning warm-weather excursions, this series will do you right.
Be a good neighbor! Have you visited these stairs and found them in poor condition or that illegal dumping (large items like tires, old furniture, and construction debris) and trash were abundant in the area? There are two things you can do to take action and make our city steps cleaner and safer for everyone! First, grab a photo if you can, and submit a report to Pittsburgh 311. All problems, both broken stairs, and railings, as well as trash and dumping, should be reported to the city. You can easily do this online or by calling.
