Mantis is located in the next major right (east) of The Fortress and Turkey Neck Tower. The route is obvious on the west face of the tower. Pete Takeda: "A wedge of mud, the Mantis is a thin rib of claycrested by a precarious series of isolated blocks. The blocks, perched on raised clay mounds, resemble bug eyes, lending an insect appearance. The 180' formation is split clean through by a crack".

Mantis

The Fortress - The Prow

Turkey Neck Tower

The Fortress, Regular Route

Because  It's There (aka Palisade Pinnacle)

The Regular Route ascends the left edge of the tower (40') as viewed from the south. Start at the high point of the ridge connecting the landform to the slope behind.

Descent: rap 40' from double anchors on the Dakota Sandstone capstone.

The Prow climbs the back side of the east end of the landform.

Descent: rap 40' from double anchors on the capstone.

Turkey Neck is on the east of the alcove up to the right of The Fortress. Climb it from its short side of the tower. There is an attemted line with fixed anchors at the left edge of the spire. Pete Takeda: "It rises out of the hillside like a giant, raspy gizzard with a house-sized capstone overhanging on all sides.

Desent: rap from a single-bolt anchor back to the notch.

High up above the main street of Palisade on the sky line can be seen a small spire. This is it! It was there, so went up it! There is very loose sandstone.

Eds. This spire has fallen over.

Description

Location

Protection

Routes in Things Of Beauty (aka Interstate I-70 Towers)