★ Lats 21

5m right of Flex is a short bolted slab starting at a small alcove (gear belay).

The ease of access and signs of merriment seems to make people lose their morals here. A 'ridiculous number' of bolt belays and bolt runners sprang up around the time the 1996 guide was published, with old tree belays being cut down in the process. The most ridiculous addition was a set of metal steps left of 'Sentry Duty'. These have been cut off, returning The Fortress to the glory days of down-soloing a chimney to get off most routes. There was also some retrobolting, with bolts sprouting on 'Apprentice's Edge' and 'Scratched Record'. In the last case the climb was originally climbed with a tied-off abseil rope and first written up as having a bolt, although Richard Watts never got around to putting it in. The 'worst case', however, was at the top of the previously unbolted 'Blood on His Lips' where a golden 'carrot' style bolt appeared in the final slab, right next to a wire placement. Many of the new bolts have been pruned.