Brave participants jumped into the Monongahela River along the Mon Wharf in Pittsburgh Thursday morning at the annual Pittsburgh Polar Bear Plunge.
Proceeds from T-shirt and other sales at the event benefited WTAE’s Project Bundle-Up.
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Polar plunge draws the brave to Mon Wharf for New Year’s Day jump into Monongahela River
Annual event raises funds for Project Bundle-Up
Wayne McKenith Jr. of Pittsburgh gets help out of the chilly waters after taking the polar plunge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 at the Mon Wharf during the annual Pittsburgh Polar Bear Club Plunge into the Monongahela River on New Year’s Day. (Shane Dunlap | TribLive)
A man uses a rope to climb out of the Monongahela River on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 at the Mon Wharf during the annual Pittsburgh Polar Bear Club Plunge into the Monongahela River on New Year’s Day. (Shane Dunlap | TribLive)
Participants in the annual Pittsburgh Polar Bear Club Plunge climb out of the Monongahela River on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 at the Mon Wharf after taking the traditional New Year’s Day plunge into the icy waters. (Shane Dunlap | TribLive)
Nicki Dembski of Pittsburgh warms up in a towel after taking the polar plunge, on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 at the Mon Wharf during the annual Pittsburgh Polar Bear Club Plunge into the Monongahela River on New Year’s Day. Dembski has participated in the annual cold river jump for 5 years. (Shane Dunlap | TribLive)
Participants watch on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 at the Mon Wharf during the annual Pittsburgh Polar Bear Club Plunge into the Monongahela River on New Year’s Day. (Shane Dunlap | TribLive)
Participants leap into the chilly waters on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026 at the Mon Wharf during the annual Pittsburgh Polar Bear Club Plunge into the Monongahela River on New Year’s Day. (Shane Dunlap | TribLive)
