• Today marks the start of The Great Pennsylvania Outdoor Challenge, personal challenges that supporters of parks and forests set to help raise funds for state parks and forests. The challenge runs now through Sept. 30. There are three ways to participate. You can decide on a challenge and register for a $20 donation, decide on a challenge and register for a $20 donation, then recruit others to support your fundraising goal by creating your own online fundraising page, or simply donate to the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation. To learn more or register, visit the Web site at http://firstgiving.com/ppff .
Upcoming
• Today - Backpacking Allegheny Wilderness with Venture Outdoors, Allegheny National Forest, 7:30 p.m. Friday through 4 p.m. Saturday. This overnight outing is hosted and led by Friends of Allegheny Wilderness to the proposed Tracy Ridge Wilderness Area. Backpacking experience necessary; participants must bring own gear and food. $15 members, $30 non-members. Visit www.ventureoutdoors.org for details.
• Saturday - The Ninth Annual Storywalk at Frick Park, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information contact Beginning With Books at 412-361-8560.
Saturday - Visit Beaver Hole Cave in Cheat River Canyon with the Sierra Club, all day. Contact Norm Snyder at 412-351-4068.
• Saturday - Hike an easy six miles in a new area in Plum Boro with the Sierra Club. Meet at 10 a.m. at the McDonalds in Verona. Call Ed Divers for details, 412-828-5154.
• Saturday - Fly Fishing: Intro 1 with Venture Outdoors, Ohiopyle State Park, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Learn the basics of rods, reels, line, knots and flies, plus hands-on practice in a variety of casting techniques. Bring waders. Instructed by Dale and Cyndi Kotowski of Chestnut Ridge Trout Unlimited. License requirements apply. $60 members, $75 non-members. Visit www.ventureoutdoors.org for details.
• Saturday - Nature Trail Tyke Hike with Venture Outdoors, Bird Park, 10 a.m.-Noon. Bring the little ones to look for animal tracks and enjoy a morning snack in the woods. Designed for kids 2-8. Pre-registration required; $5 per family. Visit www.ventureoutdoors.org for details.
• Saturday - Wheat Beer Paddle with Venture Outdoors, Kayak Pittsburgh Downtown, 5-8 p.m. Paddle on the Allgheny then enjoy a wheat beer tasting as the sun goes down; $30 members, $50 non-members.
• Sunday - South Park Stroller Hike with Venture Outdoors, South Park, 10 a.m.-noon Preregistration required. $5 per family. Visit www.ventureoutdoors.org for details.
• Sunday - Hike an eight-mile loop in the Mountain Streams area of Laurel Ridge with the Sierra Club, all day. Call Jim at 412-576-0849.
• Monday - Beginner Paddle North Park with Venture Outdoors, 6-8 p.m. $25 members, $40 non-members. Tandems also available. Visit www.ventureoutdoors.org for details.
• Monday - Harvest Moon Paddle with Venture Outdoors, Kayak Pittsburgh Downtown, 7:45-10 p.m. Paddle under the light of the full moon. Tandems available; $30 members, $50 non-members.
• Tuesday - Tyke Hikes with Venture Outdoors, 10 a.m.-Noon, Schenley Park. For parents or caregivers with newborns up to 8-years old. Hikes will be easy, snacks provided. Visit www.ventureoutdoors.org for details.
• Wednesday - TriAnglers, downtown, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Come fishing with the weekly lunchtime fishing group, the Downtown TriAnglers. Instructor Karen Gainey will be on hand to help novice and expert alike. Fee is $5.
• Wednesday - Wednesday Wake Up Paddles with Venture Outdoors, downtown, 6:15-7:30 a.m., $12 members, $20 non-members. Visit www.ventureoutdoors.org for details.
• Wednesday - Medicinal Plants Hike with Venture Outdoors, Frick Park, 6-8 p.m. Join Dr. Christopher Powell, from Powell Chiropractic, for an evening of exploration of traditional and folk medicinal uses of some of the most common plants in our ecosystem. $5 members, $10 non-members.
• Wednesday - Visit Barking Slopes Coxcomb Hill beyond Oakmont Golf Course. Call Ed Divers at 412-828-5154.
• Thursday - Perk-up hikes with Venture Outdoors, North Side, 6:30-7:45 a.m. Visit www.ventureoutdoors.org for details.
• Friday, Sept. 19 - Fireworks Paddle with Venture Outdoors, Kayak Pittsburgh Downtown, 7:30-10 p.m. Paddle up the Allegheny then relax in the water near the ballpark for the post-game festivities. $30 members, $50 non-members.
• Sept. 20 - Nemacolin Season Finale adventure race with Grass Roots Racing, Farmington, 10 a.m. prologue followed by a noon race. This race will include six miles of trail running, more than 15 miles of mountain biking and several hazards, or team-building tests of skill. It will also require navigational skills. Event expected to last five to seven hours total. Visit www.rootsrace.com for details.
• Sept. 21 - Month of Mud Race No. 1, Bavington State Game Lands (Hillman State Park), Bavington, Pa., 10 a.m. This race is a mountain bike time trial on technical, twisty, single track loop. Registration closes at 9:30 a.m. For more details visit www.westlibertycycles.com/mom/schedule .
