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Elevation: 3,642 ft
GPS: 34.58355, -119.26301
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 85,154 total · 404/month
Shared By: Matthew Fienup on Dec 1, 2006
Admins: andy patterson, Mike Morley, Adam Stackhouse, Salamanizer Ski, Justin Johnsen, Vicki Schwantes
Warning Access Issue: Hwy 33 Road Closure DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

Sandstone face climbing on large, triangle-shaped formations above Sespe Creek.

The area is characterized by an airiness and sense of exposure that is truly unusual for Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Currently, only the most obvious and striking lines have been climbed. Still largely undeveloped, there is the potential for many more excellent moderate routes.

Getting There Suggest change

From the Black Wall of Sespe Gorge, continue up the road for about 1/2 mile. Park in the huge dirt turnout on the left, just past the place where Hwy-33 crosses Derry Dale creek. The Fortress is directly overhead!

20 Total Climbs

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Location: The Fortress Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at The Fortress

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b
 35
Blue In Green
Sport
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 28
Rational Expectations
Sport
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 24
Magali's Arete
Sport
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c
 63
Free to Choose
Sport 2 pitches
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 85
Permanent Income Hypothesis
Sport
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 23
Snickerdoodle
Sport
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a PG13
 52
Spontaneous Order
Sport 4 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 13
Consumption Dysfunction
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 31
Seven Steps to Heaven
Sport
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 7
Straight, No Chaser
Trad
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b
 35
Capitalism & Freedom
Sport 2 pitches
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 10
Adaptive Expectations
Sport
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 28
Natural Rate of Unemployment
Sport
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 11
Classically Liberal
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Blue In Green Central Gully
 35
5.6 4c 14 V 12 S 4b Sport
Rational Expectations Central Gully
 28
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport
Magali's Arete Central Gully
 24
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Sport
Free to Choose Right Side Gully
 63
5.9- 5c 17 VI 16 HVS 4c Sport 2 pitches
Permanent Income Hypothesis Right Side Gully
 85
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Snickerdoodle Central Gully
 23
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Spontaneous Order Central Gully
 52
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a PG13 Sport 4 pitches
Consumption Dysfunction Right Side Gully
 13
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Seven Steps to Heaven Central Gully
 31
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Straight, No Chaser Central Gully
 7
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Trad
Capitalism & Freedom Right Side Gully
 35
5.10a/b 6a+ 19 VI+ 19 E2 5b Sport 2 pitches
Adaptive Expectations Right Side Gully
 10
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Sport
Natural Rate of Unemployment Right Side Gully
 28
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Sport
Classically Liberal Right Side Gully
 11
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Sport
More Classic Climbs in The Fortress »

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