A Portrait of Pittsburgh's Stair Climbers

University of Pittsburgh senior medical student Calvin stands on the Sterling Avenue stairs on Oct. 18. Calvin he's climbed these stairs everyday for three years for his commute between Oakland and his South Side Slopes Apartment. "It gets really tiring, and you have to have really good shoes in the winter," Calvin said.

Duquesne sophomore Taylor stands on the stairs leading from First Avenue to Duquesne University on Oct. 19. Taylor said she takes the steps about three times a week. "On days when I don't feel like making the hike, I go through the tunnel. It's noisier, but much easier," she said.

Duquesne University communications professor Jeff stands stands on the stairs leading from First Avenue to Duquesne University on Oct. 19. Jeff takes the stairs everyday from his apartment on Mount Washington. He said parking is more difficult, and he likes the daily challenge. "I can literally say I go uphill both ways to and from school," Jeff said.

Carnegie Mellon Invitational

Junior broadcast journalism major Dylan Grunn competes Oct. 8 at the Carnegie Mellon University Invitation at Schenley Park.

Senior environmental science major Reuben Rono competes Oct. 8 at the Carnegie Mellon University Invitation at Schenley Park.

A cold, wet fall morning at the Schenley Oval

I went out this morning searching for CRY Pittsburgh's 7th Annual 5k walk/run benefit race, and found nothing but a sopping wet track. After dressing in multiple layers of shirts, pants, socks and gloves, I wasn't leaving without some images. Here ya go.

Impromptu Steeplechase course.

Wet, foggy view of Pittsburgh.

Squirrel Hill resident David Einav trains through the rain on Oct. 2 at the Schenley Oval Sportsplex. Einav plans to run a half marathon in one and one half years. Though he hasn't chosen the specific race yet, he said he trains hard at least three times a week and then rests his body so he can do it all over again.

Sopwith Camels' forward Mark Gualtieri trains on Oct. 2 at the Schenley Oval Sportsplex for the team's upcoming indoor season. The 17-member team is an over 30 pub fútbol team in Pittsburgh, and their first game is Oct. 4. 

  

Anti-Kagame Protest

Friends of the Congo student coordinator Kambale Musavuli leads chants at a Carnegie Mellon University protest against the visit of Rwandan President Paul Kagame. Protesters say Kagame is responsible for the death, rape and financial instability of millions of Rwandans and Congolese.

Musavuli is a 2008 Congolese refugee, and said his family was affected by the violence in the region.

"Whenever there's a genocide, just like the holocaust, we must say, 'never again,'" Musavuli said. "It's my responsibility to be here and to speak up for those who can't. It's the value of free speech."

© 2011 Lindsay Dill

** If you're interested in the ongoing controversy with Kagame, here's a blog that reposted these images, and seems to source many articles/photostories on the topic:

http://lesoldatdupeuple.over-blog.com/article-rwanda-current-president-kagame-confessed-ordering-predecessor-s-plane-shot-down-85777078.html **