Return toThe Fortress (a.k.a. Poop Peak), NV Black Mts

The previous trip report describes a trip to "The Fortress" by an eastern route (inspired by Anji's gpx file on PeakBagger). I was searching for a good way to take multiple friends, but the eastern approach had many iffy sections and lots of steep talus-covered slopes above big drops. Kevin H told us he remembered a milder approach from the SW.

So Paula and I returned to find the western route.  It involved one short class 3 stretch with exposure, then multiple class 2 ramps with cruddy loose rock, and much less "climbing" than the eastern route.

Harlan WS & Paula C R
Jan 19, 2018

0map
Overview of the
W route.		 1map
Top of peak,
comparing E (blue)
and W routes. I had
explored the W side
of the peak before,
and saw a few cairns		 DSCN6914
Telephoto view
of the peak from
near TH.
DSCN6915
Note the peak
is separated from
the W ridge by a
pronounced gully;
this gully area,
appears flat on the
USGS topo.		 DSCN6917
Paula on approach,
Sun City Anthem
to WNW		 DSCN6918_stitch
As one gets closer
to peak (at L),
W ridge blends
in and gives the
appearance of
an easy ramp
to summit.
DSCN6920
I went rogue and
found this deep
canyon S of ridge		 DSCN6921
Paula comes down
rough rock. One
can possibly avoid
this downclimb by
staying lower on
N side of ridge.		 DSCN6924
View WSW
DSCN6924paula
Paula's view S of
me at top of class 3.
Many holds, but
some exposure.		 DSCN6928
Suddenly we're
on top!		 DSCN6931
Black Mt to S
DSCN6936 DSCN6938paula DSCN6939-paula
I hadn't stretched
in 3 months; yet
this didn't hurt!
DSCN6939-paula2
View ~N		 DSCN6940
Charleston Peak
at L, across Vegas 		DSCN6942
View E to
Railroad Peak
(Black Hills)
DSCN6943
Paula descends W
on steep, loose
class 2.		 DSCN6944
A close-up of
Paula down-
climbing class 3.
View S in gully.		 DSCN6949
Paula descends the
valley N of gully
between summit
block and W ridge.
View E.
DSCN6949paula
Paula's view of
me descending.
We took a slight
detour E of a
slippery dryfall.		 DSCN6951
The wash was
fairly easy
walking.		 DSCN6954
chalcedony rose
weathered out of
 altered volcanics
DSCN6954paula
We jogged back		 DSCN6956
Don't tread on me!