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Backcountry access to Fortress?
Just wondering if anyone has skinned into Fortress lately from the highway.
How many kms via the access road, and what is the elevation gain? I'm also wondering if there are any issues with the cat ski operating on the hill? I know Sunshine's lease has a clause re: allowing backcountry access, not sure if it would be the same @ Fortress.
I went up last year from the hwy. The gate was closed and we planned on driving up top. About 5/6ths of the way up the hill cars started to come up lol. The base of Fortress is about 7000' I believe and Id say the highway is probably around 3500-4500'. Thats my guess, so its a ways. Its a long way in. Id suggest if they have been grading it and the gate is closed, or if there isn't much snow in that area which is usual you could ride a bike up top with your skis on your back, then your ride out is quick aswell.
About 6 years ago there was one of the pepole who owned it driving around in his cat up there. I don't know if he still does it. He had a rope hanign off the back and if you were lucky enough you could hitch a ride.
Have a good time up there, super nice area and great steep lines to ski. Have a break in some of the cool wind formations around the old lodge. Pretty neat.
Terry
teejay said:
Just wondering if anyone has skinned into Fortress lately from the highway.
How many kms via the access road, and what is the elevation gain? I'm also wondering if there are any issues with the cat ski operating on the hill? I know Sunshine's lease has a clause re: allowing backcountry access, not sure if it would be the same @ Fortress.
Apparently the new owners are running cat skiing up there, so may not be worth the trudge. If you go, the shortest, fastest way up is via the power cut line, not the road, which goes on forever. It is under 1000m to the top of the first lift from the road....the road as an exit route is good. All in all, many other worthwhile places for pow in kcountry and beyond!!
Yup, with cat skiing now operating in the area...
My guess is they wouldn't take too kindly to folks skinning up and poaching their terrain, but it's probably worth a call to see what they say.
