Great Northern Slabs Grade II; 5.8***

    Gear Used:
  • 60 meter rope
  • gear to 3 1/2 inches
  • slings
Aug. 14 2006

The Approach

There is no approach! Follow the trail out of the parking lot across the railroad tracks and your there!

The Climb

This was our first trip to Index so I didn't really know what to expect. I always that of index as being to difficult for me but there are a few climbs that are just my speed. For our first trip we started with The Great Northern Slab.

Access Pitch, 5.8

To get to the actual route you have to scramble up to a large terrace where all the climbs start. We decided to try a wide 5.8 crack to get up to the terrace. It ended up being pretty strenuous but very fun. Reka had a harder time with the crack because her hands are so much smaller than mine.

Great Northern Slab route
Reka climbing the 5.8 access pitch.

Pitch 1, 5.2

We set an anchor at the left hand side of the terrace and climbed up a ramp with cracks to the large railroad bolts below a roof. This was very easy climbing and would be great for a first time leader.

great northern slab route
Reka climbing the easy 1st pitch.

Pitch 2, 5.6

This was a great pitch! The crux is pulling over the roof which is actually pretty easy once you find the jugs on the left side above the roof. Twin cracks lead up and to the right to another set of bolts and chains. This is great crack climbing on clean granite.

great northern slab route
Reka climbing the twin cracks on the 2nd pitch.
great northers slab route
Reka fiddling with gear.
index town walls
Reka climbing to the anchors.

Because of time we decided to turn around after the 2nd pitch and set up our rappels. From the anchors we did a single rope rap to the railroad bolts and another full length rap to the ground.


Me setting up our rappels.