Great Northern Slab, 5.7
- Gear Used:
- 60 meter rope
- gear to 3 inches
- slings
June 23, 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, 5.7
It seems every time I climb this route I do it a little different. For the first pitch I climbed from the ground all the way to a ledge above the awesome 5.10a Pisces crack. The climbing is easy until you hit the railroad bolts where you have an awkward 5.7 move to get over the bulge. Once above the crux I simply traversed to the ledge above the steep Pisces crack and at the base of the splitter that cruises the slab above. I climbed it this way so I could climb the awesome hand crack. This followed easily up the 5.2 ramp and pulled the 5.7 crux with ease.
Lacey on the 5.2 ramp system.
It's all fun and games until you stick your feet in the crack! ;-)
Pitch 2, 5.6
I wish this crack was longer! It is such a fun jam session! This was Lacey's first straight in hand and fist crack. She did great although the technique of jamming her feet into a splitter crack cause her much discomfort! Sorry once again babe. Sometimes I forget about my high pain tolerance. She pulled through with out even a whimper!
Lacey jamming her way up the crack.
Pitch 3, 5.6
We climbed the final pitch up cracks and slabs to the tree ledge and anchor. It's fun and easy climbing. I still get nervous after passing the tree. The slab is a bit harder to protect than the rest of the climb.
Lacey following on the slab.
3 single rope rappels back to the ground.
-Useful guide books-
