INDEX

Index mighty Index!  Has a reputation for being intimidating.  Steep granite cracks and sport climbs.  Not a huge amount of stuff for the sub 5.9 leader.  About 1.5 hours from Seattle.  Approach hikes 5-30 minutes.  West of the crest; i.e. wetter.
 
Directions
Take I-5 to 520 East, then 405 North, then 522 East to Monroe, then Hwy 2 east.  Turn left at Index Cafe (Just after crossing North over the Skykomish River. If you come to the town of Baring you've gone too far). Follow river a mile or so then go left across big bridge into Index.  Travel slowly through town, turn left at the T (Bush House), cross the RR tracks (might want to park here for some climbs, see overview map) then keep heading south (straight, left, right).  Travel down the road about a 1/2 mile.  Just after a huge pullout on the left (river side) watch for an entrance to a dirt n' gravel parking lot on the right. Park there. If the road starts paralleling a RR track, you've gone too far.

weather  current conditions, forecast

guidebooks
Cummins guide is mostly online, and you can buy the real thing cheap at the general store in Index (see overview map).
Cramer, "Sky Valley Rock Climbs", is more up-to-date and very good, and the Smoot's "Washington Rock" will get you by too.

recommended climbs 
  upper town wall area 30 minute approach
Davis holland-lovin arms 10c hirst, cc.com smoot
The Zipper p1 10b magnuson

  private idaho/lookout point area 20-30 minute approach
Battered sandwich 9
Senior citizens in space 7
Steel pulse 10c 
End run 10a
Free cat 10d

  the country  5 minute approach
GM-Heart of the Country 9-11a

  lower town wall area   5 minute approach
Thin Fingers 11a cc.com
Godzilla-CityParkp2-Sloe Children  9-10d smoot
Japanese Gardens  10a-? cc.com
Sagitarius 9-11b cc.com
Princely Ambitions-Beak Beak Beak-10%MV 9
Dr. Sniff and the Tuna Boaters 10d
Rogers Corner-Breakfast of Champions 7-10a magnuson

  great northern slab area 3 minute approach, most easy climbs
Lizard aka Aries 8 cc.com, smoot
Libra Crack 10a smoot
Great Northern Route 4-6

  inner wall area  20 minute approach, shady
Toxic Shock 9
Even Steven 8-11b


above: pitch 2 of Davis-Holland (photo by Robert Meshew)
below: Godzilla (photo by Andrew Burr)

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