Distance

8.9 km to summit

21.2 km total

Elevation

1,884 m start

3,016 m max

Vertical

1,335 m gain

Time

4 hr 4 min to summit

8 hr 56 min total

a long day going up the Fortress, and an unnamed outlier to the SE. Given there was a bear closure at Chester lake, Headwalls Lake valley it was! A beautiful hike in the the lakes. We went up the rocky rib to climber's right to avoid the snow and being under the large cornices at the Chester-Fortress col. We glissaded down on snow for a fast and fun descent. We then cut across to the SE, and headed up to the SE outlier by first reaching a col and then walking North along the ridge to the summit. All in all made for a long day with 21.2 km, and 1750 m of elevation gain.

Route name

Headwall Lakes approach

out-and-back
Obstacles

snow on route

Key gear

ice axe