Index

I hope to climb at Index next week or the week after. Never been there

1 is it easy to find partners at the crag? I will post on MP too. I can usually toprope or follow 5.10s, lead 8s and 9s

2 do cars get broken in to when parked at Index?

thanks for any helpful info

There will be loads of people there, someone will give you a belay if you ask. Break ins aren't super common. That being said, I've been broken into/vandalized twice in about 30 visits. 

thx

Honestly, break ins seem to happen on low traffic days. The trains cover the sound. Someone cut our ditch lights off the vehicle, but we were also one of two vehicles in the main parking lot. Break ins are also seemingly less frequent at the camp and parking in town.  I wouldn't let that discourage you, I bet break ins are more frequent in other areas (exit 38, Monte Cristo, tieton) 

Index wouldn't be high on my list of places to visit without a partner.  There aren't real significant "climber hangout spots" to make meeting folks easy.  But as mentioned above, I'm sure if you ask somebody for a belay, they will be polite and lend a hand.

Yes, cars do get broken into.  I always try to park in the town rather than in the lots, and I don't really ever stay into the night.

Chris C wrote:

Index wouldn't be high on my list of places to visit without a partner.  There aren't real significant "climber hangout spots" to make meeting folks easy.  

Strong disagree, I used to always go to Index by myself and had great luck meeting randos at Wagon Wheel (the 'campground' across from the LTW parking area for those who don't know). Coupled with the fact all the crags and camping have great cell service, I'd say it's one of the better areas I've been to for just rolling up and meeting strangers. Maybe that scene's changed. If you just want to get laps in, people usually offer up free TRs like crazy at the LTW on busy days.

Even if you don't find partners, TR soloing in Index is very accessible and it's lovely place to just hang out.

All-thanks for your feedback

Matthew-would you send me GPS coordinates or a street address for LTW? I've never been to that area and don't know where anything is (what does LTW stand for?)

Richard

Lower town wall, it's the first crag from the parking lot

thx

The new concern in Index is getting towed. They ticketed and threatened to tow almost 20 cars on Saturday.

Lindsay R wrote:

The new concern in Index is getting towed. They ticketed and threatened to tow almost 20 cars on Saturday.

That sucks. Do you know if the cars in question were parked in the town, by the camping, or at the trailheads?

Alex Fletcher wrote:

That sucks. Do you know if the cars in question were parked in the town, by the camping, or at the trailheads?

They were all parked along the road… a place that has been ok to park for the last 10 years. My friends car was on the pavement by 1/3 width of her tire. Others with tow warnings by the wagon wheel were not on the road at all.

New sherif in town. But like, literally. 

We got a notification that we would be towed at dark. We were barley in the road right next to the camp ground. Wondering if it extended all the way down to LTW parking.

No ticket, just a paper saying we needed to move. 

I will have valuables in my van. Is there any safe place to park nearby, even if 1-2 miles away?

I would even pay a small amount to keep my stuff safe

I feel for the poor person that has his window broken but doesn't know because their car got towed 30 miles to Monroe. 

To the OP, the further you park from town, the more likely you are to be broken into. The parking situation is not ideal in index. On a weekday you should be able to get a good spot at wagon wheel. 

Princess Puppy Lovr wrote:

I feel for the poor person that has his window broken but doesn't know because their car got towed 30 miles to Monroe. 

To the OP, the further you park from town, the more likely you are to be broken into. The parking situation is not ideal in index. On a weekday you should be able to get a good spot at wagon wheel. 

One thing I wonder about is solo driving: Do most people drive out cragging solo and meet at the crag? If so, then this might be a good time to make a renewed pitch for carpooling. 

Unfortunately, I'm also guilty of the solo driving. For several reasons though, I much prefer those days when I drive up with others. 

Maybe some sort of meetup group could form that meets at a large parking area nearer Seattle on a regular basis? I've found Woodinville and Monroe to have good spots.

Jon Nelson wrote:

One thing I wonder about is solo driving: Do most people drive out cragging solo and meet at the crag? If so, then this might be a good time to make a renewed pitch for carpooling. 

Unfortunately, I'm also guilty of the solo driving. For several reasons though, I much prefer those days when I drive up with others. 

Maybe some sort of meetup group could form that meets at a large parking area nearer Seattle on a regular basis? I've found Woodinville and Monroe to have good spots.

I really like this idea. There are so many park and rides on the way.

Despite what all the hikers seem to have decided in the past few years, the fact it was never enforced doesn't mean you were allowed to just park in the road wherever you want.