Great Northern Slab, 5.7

    Gear Used:
  • 60 meter rope
  • gear to 3 inches
  • slings
March 7, 2008

The Drive

The lower slabs of Index probably have the easiest approach of any climbing area in Washington. It's a quick 45 minute drive from Seattle on HWY 2. Once you are in the parking lot it's not even a 5 minute walk to the wall.

Great Northern Slab, 3 pitches.

Pitch 1, 5.2 80 feet

Start at a ramp on the left side of the large block. Climb the ramp all the way to the large rail road bolts and set up a belay. The climbing is easy and could be a great beginner lead.

Index
Dylan climbing the first pitch.

Pitch 2, 5.7 70 feet

The crux of the climb comes right off of the belay. I always use a #3 bd cam here to protect the bulge. After the bulge you have an awesome set of twin finger cracks that run diagonally up the slab. This pitch is excellent and is the reason why I always come back here. There is a 3 bolt anchor at the top of the crack.

Index
Dylan climbing the twin finger cracks.

Pitch 3, 5.6 90 feet

The final pitch climbs up low angle cracks and flakes to a tree. Usually I go to the right of the tree and follow cracks up the slab. This time I went around the left of the tree and followed a couple bolts up the arrete. This was really fun as the exposure down the side of the slab is pretty intense.There is a chain anchor on the wall beyond the trees.

Index
Dylan climbing the slab.

3 single rope rappels back to the ground.

-Useful guide books-

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