Metropolis Sector

Description 

This is the cave surrounded by gently overhanging walls on the far right margin of the south-facing Central Sector of the Fortress. It is the last bit of south-facing rock before the crag bends around to the east again in the vicinity of some tall tower/pillar features.

You can also recognize this sector by Metropolis, which climbs the lonnnngg black streak on the very right side of this zone, or the prominent cave, about 20 feet off the deck, with a long, right-trending crack system leading out the roof of the cave and onto the headwall above.

The other day we also came up with the nickname "The Sandbox" for this zone, since any routes not following the water streaks are pretty well coated in Fortress Powder and can be textureless nightmares.

There are four completed routes here and two open projects. This zone is best in winter and spring, as it's basically in the sun all day, except for early mornings.

Getting There 

Head east along the path at the base of the crag from the Pummeling Sector, passing the Central Sector and Tommy's monster routes, until you hit a small scramble-up above some cool barrel cacti to the tier just below Metropolis. There is a nice pinon tree there, where you can stash your packs, hang out in the shade between burns, and keep your water bottles from boiling.

The Classics