It is possible to combine Precipice and Fortress via an easy class 2 traverse. From Precipice, continue along the south ridge over the first prominent bump and up the second one. Leave the ridge from the top of the second bump, descending south on steep, grassy slopes into a narrowing gully. Pass through a break in the cliffs at the bottom of the gully and continue southwest on talus and grass towards an obvious bluish hoodoo garden. Pass the blue hoodoos on the left and contour at 11800' across grassy meadows, intersecting the normal route on Fortress below the prominent cliff on its west ridge. This is a very scenic alternative to descending to the car, and it saves around 1000 feet of gain. It could be reversed easily, but I think clockwise is the way to go.
metal4lyf - Aug 7, 2016 9:19 pm - Voted 10/10
Precipice-Fortress TraverseIt is possible to combine Precipice and Fortress via an easy class 2 traverse. From Precipice, continue along the south ridge over the first prominent bump and up the second one. Leave the ridge from the top of the second bump, descending south on steep, grassy slopes into a narrowing gully. Pass through a break in the cliffs at the bottom of the gully and continue southwest on talus and grass towards an obvious bluish hoodoo garden. Pass the blue hoodoos on the left and contour at 11800' across grassy meadows, intersecting the normal route on Fortress below the prominent cliff on its west ridge. This is a very scenic alternative to descending to the car, and it saves around 1000 feet of gain. It could be reversed easily, but I think clockwise is the way to go.
Topo map here: http://www.summitpost.org/precipice-fortress-traverse/979243