Index rockfall

I heard rumors of recent rockfall on GNS that was described as "massive." Can anyone confirm?

Photos and comments on facebook seem to indicate some boulders released from near where the trail meets the very top of GNS - several large blocks visible on the ground and lots of tree carnage as far as the toilet. Not my photo: 

Was there today and checked it out. Huge boulders and debris came down from the top of Great Northern Slab, raking the entire area from top to base. Trees were shattered, massive boulders rolled across the trail into the woods, even near the toilet. On our way out while walking the tracks, we watched another large boulder free-fall from the top of GNS to the base, hitting the ground with impressive force. I wasn’t there Monday but heard no one was injured, which seems amazing. The trail starting before the toilet all the way to Roger’s Corner was impacted and is currently marked closed by police tape.

Photos 1 & 2: GNS - brown dirt marks the path of the fall. You can see a large debris pile on the ledge with the black streaks.

Photo 3: looking west from the base of Roger’s Corner/Princely Ambitions, tree shrapnel covering the trail.

Photo 4: large boulder in the gully between GNS and train tracks, compare it to the size of the toilet in the background. There were many more strewn about.

Really glad nobody was hurt! That's a ton of debris. Curious about the impact to the top of GNS and the left side of the sonic slab. The dirt patches in the photo look to be pretty in line with the start of Sonic Reducer.

I’m interested in how WA State Parks will manage the situation now that LTW is under their jurisdiction. Wouldn’t be surprised if the affected areas are closed… Either way, I won’t be climbing at GNS or approaching LTW via that direction again. (FYI, I was nearly smoked by a 200 lb rock in nearly the same spot two seasons ago - not worth the risk.)

Microwave-sized block came down about a week ago at The Country, too, was sitting under the start of Zoom. Presumably from Orc Tower. 

I guess the "Index is choss" stickers are onto something...

heard but didn't see some loud rockfall coming from the direction of orc tower this morning.  

Any word on closures and clean up on the original posts rockfall?

Caution tape was still up yesterday next to the LTW bathroom.

I was there yesterday and it looks like not much of any cleanup has happened. There are giant trees and such everywhere. It seems like it's a little unclear when/if the area will reopen. Currently the lack of clearing seems to be acting as a semi-intentional deterrent to not go over there.

I've seen plenty of folks walking through the zone, and I stopped a pair with their guidebooks out from walking up to climb Roger's Corner. Some signage may be necessary (if it's not already there).

Any updates on this or LTW Access ? Is GNS still climbable ? 

Lower Town Wall to the right of the rockfall zone is still climbable. GNS and Rogers Corner area is not.

Thanks for the update, was GNS essentially destroyed by the rockfall making it unclimbable or is the area just still too risky to venture into ? I'm curious if it will ever be doable again sometime as it's one of my favs 

Alex Clark wrote:

Thanks for the update, was GNS essentially destroyed by the rockfall making it unclimbable or is the area just still too risky to venture into ? I'm curious if it will ever be doable again sometime as it's one of my favs 

No, it was not destroyed. It's missing some massive trees, but im not aware any of the bolts were even damaged.

There is a massive amount of labor to make it clean enough to climb however. George Geoffs has been out there trundling choss and cleaning the dirt off. This is going to be a long game though, and it's wise to allow the rain and remaining freeze thaw cycles to continue to work their magic before a cleaning party takes place. 

Thanks for the info! Would be happy to help with clean up efforts when the time comes so if anyone knows how that will be organized, please let me know.
cheers 

I hiked to Winkie Dinkie via Laurel's Lane in early January of 24. WD seems to be the starting point of the slide. A lot of loose rock and debris that needs to settle.