New to WA - Index and Leavenworth Partner(s) through September

Hey all! Just moved to the Snohomish area from Idaho and will be here until late September with my fiance. I start work in June, and will have Friday - Sunday off almost all of the time. I don't think I'll be joining a gym here due to there being none within 30 minutes of where I live/work, but would love to get out to Index, Vantage, and Leavenworth areas on my days off. I've been climbing 3+ years and lead 5.10 sport comfortably and 5.9 trad. I would really enjoy checking out some of the moderate multipitch in Index at some point. I'm here to climb for a long time, so safety is important to me and I will always use a grigri when belaying. 

A few guidebook questions from a newcomer:

• Is The Index Town Walls a solid book for the area? 
• I also plan to boulder around Goldbar a couple times during the week after work. Is Western Washington Bouldering a good choice for Goldbar/Index bouldering info? What's your guidebook of choice for bouldering for those areas and is it available at the local REIs (I haven't seen many local gear stores north of Seattle)?

Welcome.

I'm not your Index or Leavenworth guy, but can probably answer the questions (and if you want to hit the exits hmu)

First - vantage season is almost over it'll be majorly hot for the rest of the summer and not worth the drive when the rest of WA is dry

5.9 trad and 5.10 sport might not get you up many multipitches at Index, so just be aware of your abilities...

Index Town Walls and WW Bouldering are super high quality guidebooks and also the only in-print options for Sky valley climbing, I highly recommend both (and Sheridan's Leavenworth bouldering, the Kramar book for Leavy is only average). Supplement with Mountain Project tho (especially Index) cause new stuff is going up and being posted all the time. I think I heard maybe 250 new routes in Index since the book came out in 2019? 

Enjoy the WA summer!

pm'd

Daniel Chode Riderwrote:

Welcome.

I'm not your Index or Leavenworth guy, but can probably answer the questions (and if you want to hit the exits hmu)

First - vantage season is almost over it'll be majorly hot for the rest of the summer and not worth the drive when the rest of WA is dry

5.9 trad and 5.10 sport might not get you up many multipitches at Index, so just be aware of your abilities...

Index Town Walls and WW Bouldering are super high quality guidebooks and also the only in-print options for Sky valley climbing, I highly recommend both (and Sheridan's Leavenworth bouldering, the Kramar book for Leavy is only average). Supplement with Mountain Project tho (especially Index) cause new stuff is going up and being posted all the time. I think I heard maybe 250 new routes in Index since the book came out in 2019? 

Enjoy the WA summer!

Hey thanks for the info Daniel Chode Rider! Appreciate the info on the area and caution with the multi pitch at Index.

Definitely check out Index, and don't get discouraged, make sure to wear your brown pants tho just in case.