Dave's Place - Scrambles: Smith Dorrien: The Fortress

The Fortress

Elevation:
Height Gain:
Location:

9,842 ft (3000M)
3,609 ft (1100M)
Smith Dorrien

Note for 27 Mar 04: This was a solo, predawn trip. I knew that Fortress could be done on skis, but being alone in avalanche territory spooked me out, so I couldn't build up enough courage to continue much past Chester Lake. Click for a detailed trip report

Note for 02 Oct 04: This was the first peak in a three peak day. I went with Vern Dewit, and it was a great day, but pretty tiring. Awesome weather all day long. We also did Gusty Peak and Mt. Shark that day. Click for a detailed trip report

	Date	Ascent Time	Descent Time
1st Time	27 Mar 04	incomplete	N/A
2nd Time	02 Oct 04	2:35 from Parking lot	2:05 to Gusty Summit

WINTER TRIP:

27 Mar 04 - I waited around at Chester Lake for about 20 minutes for the sun to come up enough so I could see. This is looking back toward the bowl between Fortress and Gusty. If you look closely at the bottom center of the picture, you'll see one of the summer trail signs. These are usually 3-4 ft above the ground.

27 Mar 04 - This is looking up at Chester Col from near Chester Lake. That bowl would be good skiing too.

SUMMER TRIP:

For Vern's perspective on the same trip, check out his page: http://www.fresh-oxygen.com/vern/scrambles/fortress/fortress.php

02 Oct 04 - Vern and I started well before the sun came up, so we couldn't take pictures until we were almost at the col. Here we see the col in front of us with the morning sun starting to peak over the mountains. We should have started 30 minutes earlier. I bet the views would have been incredible.

02 Oct 04 - From just below the col on Fortress, the morning sun across the valley was spectacular.

02 Oct 04 - Another view looking across the valley.

02 Oct 04 - This is Mt. Chester's northern outlier with the sun shining brightly on it.

02 Oct 04 - From the col, the summit can be seen just above. Unfortunately, it's longer than it looks. It's more than 1000 ft from the col to the summit.

02 Oct 04 - This is one of the few times I got in front of Vern. This is Vern with the col behind him. At the backend of the bowl on the right, you can see Chester Lake.

02 Oct 04 - This is Vern standing next to the summit cairn. The morning air was a little nippy, but at least the wind died the minute we got to the summit. Of course it returned the minute we started the descent.

02 Oct 04 - The snowy peak in the centre is Assiniboine. In the foreground on the right is Galatea.

02 Oct 04 - This is a picture of Fortress, as seen from the lower slopes of Gusty Peak.

02 Oct 04 - After we also bagged Gusty, we returned to Chester Lake right around lunch time. The fall colours were really nice. This is looking across Chester Lake with the Fortress bowl in the background. If you look closely, you'll see The Fortress in the centre of the photo.