Fortress Mountain


			Canadian Rockies Scrambles and Panoramas by T. L. Helmer

Fortress Mountain - Canadian Rockies

Mountain Photography
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Top: The Fortress:
The peak is visible in the background, the route goes up the right hand skyline.
Bottom: Closer

July 23 2001
This day I was originally going to Mt. Indefatigable. That was closed due to a bruin; so off I drove to the Smith Dorien.

When I got above Chester Lake and could finally see "The Fortress" I thought of quitting. I'm Glad I didn't. If you have no good reason to turn back, don't.

First you cross a boulder field. That lasts for about one kilometer. It's good for the foot-eye coordination.

Just a bit of loose talus to reach the Fortress Chester col, then the last bit is a pleasant trail to the summit. Very nice!!

Just before the summit I caught up to a Taiwanese Canadian by the name of Michael L. When we got to the top we took each others picture and enjoyed the view.

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Headwall Lakes approach

After that we walked down the mountain, Michael took many photo's and we talked about his Headwall Lakes approach. He said it was wet, vegetated and it was more effort than the Chester Lake approach.

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Here is Michael looking down from just below the summit. The crux is one easy move, no exposure and is just below.		This is me at the summit of the Fortress, still working on the gut, but getting stronger.

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View to the east, the highway is below		The Tower is on the left

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Looking towards the Kananaskis Golf Course		Gusty Peak and The Tower. Mt. Assiniboine is in the background

The east face is nearly vertical, so don't get to close or aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

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Top: Down the east face, this is the far north end of the Fortress Mountain Ski Area.
Bottom: Michael takes a photograph

Famous Quotes <-- click

he human spirit is your specifically human dimension and contains abilities other creatures do not have. Every human is spiritual; in fact, spirit is the essence of being human. You have a body that may become ill; you have a psyche that may become disturbed. But the spirit is what you are. It is your healthy core.

Joseph Fabry
1909 - ? Austrian Born American Professor, Lecturer, Author

ankind differs from the animals only by a little and most people throw that away.

Confucius
BC 551-479, Chinese Ethical Teacher, Philosopher