What you get on this adventure: An experienced, local rock climbing guide with extensive knowledge of the area Two or four days of rock climbing courses depending on your chosen itinerary What’s not included: Transportation Accommodations Food and snacks Technical rock climbing equipment

How fit do I need to be?

Climbing in Index requires decent fitness levels and previous climbing experience. Participants in these courses should have the skill and physical fitness required to take on easy to moderate single and multi-pitch routes on hard granite. To ensure you have a fun day, your guide will choose routes that best suit your skill and fitness level.

What if I’ve never climbed before?

Trad Climbing Course: To participate in this course, you must have taken a previous sport climbing course or have experience top roping outside at a grade of 5.7 or higher and leading inside at a grade of 5.8 or higher. Multi-Pitch Trad Climbing Course: Participants are expected to have taken a previous sport climbing course or have experience leading trad climbs at a grade of 5.6 or higher. Big Wall and Aid Climbing Course: Before participating in this course, you’re expected to have taken a trad multi-pitch climbing course or have experience leading trad multi-pitch climbs at a grade of 5.8 or higher. Technical Self Rescue Course: Participants are expected to have previous experience climbing multi-pitch climbs. Crack Climbing Course: Participants are expected to have previous experience with top rope belaying and climbing 5.8 or higher outside.

What about required equipment?

When it comes to technical climbing equipment, you’ll need: Helmet Harness with a locking carabiner, belay device, and chalk bag Ropes Climbing shoes Cord — 7 mm, 15 feet Prusik cord Sling — 120 cm Climbing hardware (quickdraws, cam devices, stoppers, etc.) Here’s a list of the equipment we suggest you bring: Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 40L bag) Water bottle Food you can eat on-the-go Hiking or approach shoes Toiletries (sunscreen, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.) Sunglasses Camera — optional You will be provided with a more detailed equipment list upon booking your desired course. If you do not have all of the required items, your guide will work with you to find the best place to buy or rent it. Some additional equipment, such as the assisted braking belay device, quickdraws, alpine draws, and micro-traction style device, can be provided by your guide. Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and prices: The max guest-to-guide ratio for the Trad Climbing Course and the Technical Self Rescue Course is 4:1. The max guest-to-guide ratio for the Multi-Pitch Trad Climbing Course and Crack Climbing Course is 3:1. The max guest-to-guide ratio for the Big Wall and Aid Climbing Course is 2:1. For these private courses, costs per person decrease as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to climb with friends and family. Climbing courses in Index can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking. Min. age requirements: If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to climb on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to Index, WA, most people fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport 3 hours away. From there, you can rent a car or take a bus. Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

Covid measures in Index, Washington

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Index, WA, please refer to the US Government’s international travel guidelines and the Washington State Department of Health’s COVID-19 safety guidelines. Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

Index Mountain in Washington from the distance

Index | Washington

Private Rock Climbing Courses in Index

Season

June through September

Nearest city

Seattle, WA, is 3 hours away

Duration

2-4 days

Difficulty

Guide

The Climbing School

From $995 () / 2-4 days

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Overview
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Things to know

Quality fine-grained granite, impressive views, and excellent accessibility—Index, WA, is an underrated gem rivaling the most famous climbing meccas in the US. The routes here are pretty varied, ranging from straight-forward single-pitches to friction slabs and blood-curdling 700 foot (200+ m) walls. And while Index may be notorious for its more challenging routes (up to 5.12c), there’s a decent supply of 5.8 and lower climbs to warm up on. Crack climbing fanatics will feel especially at home here—Index features one of the greatest concentrations of hard and thin crack climbs on the continent. Couple this with the fact that most of the routes are a 15-minute walk from the parking lot away and you get a practical, cohesive and engaging climbing experience guaranteed to leave you wanting more.

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Hard and fine-grained granite ensures enjoyable climbs
Excellent route variety that’ll satisfy all types of climbers
Some of the best routes are only a short hike away from the parking area

Available itineraries

Private Trad Climbing Course in Index

Ready to get into trad climbing? This comprehensive two-day course is just what you need. An experienced AMGA-certified guide will teach you everything you need to know to start leading outside trad climbs safely and efficiently. The fine granite in Index, WA, will provide the perfect learning environment!
Prerequisite: You must have taken a sport climbing course or have experience top-roping outside at a grade of 5.7 or higher and leading inside at a grade of 5.8 or higher.

After a brief review of your previous sport climbing knowledge, you’ll spend the following 2 days learning skills such as:
- - Appropriate gear selection and placement
  - Anchor building and evaluation using traditional gear and natural anchors or terrain features
  - Safe leading belaying techniques and techniques for trad climbing
  - Safe falling techniques
  - Rappelling
  - Basic crack climbing technique
  - Mental techniques for leading
  - Route finding and topos

Private Multi-Pitch Trad Climbing Course in Index

If you feel ready to start leading multi-pitch trad climbs, this detailed two-day course will give you the know-how and confidence you need! Join a seasoned AMGA-certified guide on Index’s top-quality granite and learn about transitions, belaying, rope management, and other essential multi-pitch skills in a safe and stimulating learning environment.
Prerequisite: You must have taken a trad climbing clinic or have experience leading trad climbs at a grade of 5.6 or higher. Contact us if you have any questions about whether or not you are ready for this course.

Following a short review of your previous trad climbing education, spend 2 days learning multi-pitch trad essentials such as:
- - Appropriate gear selection
  - Efficient anchor building and evaluation for multi-pitch climbing with traditional gear or terrain features
  - Efficient multi-pitch transitions and rope management
  - Considerations for belaying a leader on a multi pitch climb, including fall factors
  - Methods to belaying a follower
  - Basic multi-pitch self-rescue techniques
  - Route finding and topos

Private Big Wall and Aid Climbing Course in Index

Dreaming of taking on the formidable El Cap in the near future? Master the fundamentals of climbing big walls with this hardcore four-day climbing course. Learn big wall essentials, such as transitions, setting up port-a-ledges, assessing pitons, and much more from AMGA-certified rock guides with tons of experience!
Prerequisite: You must have taken a trad multi pitch efficiency climbing clinic or have experience leading trad multi pitch climbs at a grade of 5.8 or higher. Contact us if you have any questions about whether or not you are ready for this course.

This hardcore 4-day course will teach you everything there is to know about taking on massive rock walls, such as:
- - Appropriate gear selection
  - Aid leading with trad gear and bolts
  - Discussion of aid ratings
  - Pendulums
  - Fixing a line and ascending it
  - Following an aid pitch (passing gear, lower outs)
  - Big wall transitions
  - Hauling and docking a haul bag and rappelling with a haul bag
  - Assessing pitons and other fixed gear
  - Setting up a port-a-ledge and a comfortable bivy
  - Route finding and topos

Private Technical Self Rescue Course in Index

Become a safer climber on some of Washington’s greatest routes! This detailed course, hosted by reliable AMGA-certified instructors, will teach you everything there is to know about tackling a wide range of rescue systems. From improvised rappelling devices and techniques to complex pulleys and lowering systems, you’re guaranteed to become a more complete climber!
Prerequisite: You must have experience climbing multi pitch climbs.

Following a review of fundamental knots and an introduction to less common knots, bends, and hitches, you’ll go through:
- - An introduction to load releasable systems, the munter mule and block-and-tackle
  - Belay escapes, knot passes, and improvised hauling
  - Simple, compound, and complex pulley systems
  - Lowering systems with an ATC, assisted braking device, and munter hitch
  - Improvised lowering with an ATC in “guide” mode
  - Improvised rappelling devices and techniques
  - Rappelling with a pull cord
  - Managing a stuck rope on rappel
  - Tandem and counterbalance rappelling with an unconscious partner
  - Rope ascending techniques
  - Single pitch pick off techniques
  - Rescue mindset for climbers

Crack Climbing Course in Index

Crack climbing can feel impossible until you get the technique down, and what better way to learn all the relevant skills than climbing with a professional guide? Join this 2-day course in Index and master the body movements and fundamentals of crack climbing in a safe and stimulating learning environment!
Prerequisite: Must be able to top rope belay and have experience climbing 5.8 outside. Contact us if you have any questions about whether or not you are ready for this course.

Following a short review of your previous climbing education, spend 2 days learning crack climbing essentials such as:
- - Crack climbing techniques for all different sizes from fingers to hands to fists to OW
  - Efficient crack climbing body movement
  - Various crack climbing techniques for your feet

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Meet your guide

5.00

The Climbing School

The Climbing School is an organization of AMGA Certified Rock Guides dedicated to teaching climbers how to safely and efficiently spend time in the mountains or at the crag. They enjoy sharing their experiences with new and old friends and love pushing themselves and their guests to improve their skills in the mountains.

Things to know

What you get on this adventure:
- - An experienced, local rock climbing guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - Two or four days of rock climbing courses depending on your chosen itinerary
What’s not included:
- - Transportation
  - Accommodations
  - Food and snacks
  - Technical rock climbing equipment
Climbing in Index requires decent fitness levels and previous climbing experience. Participants in these courses should have the skill and physical fitness required to take on easy to moderate single and multi-pitch routes on hard granite. To ensure you have a fun day, your guide will choose routes that best suit your skill and fitness level.
Trad Climbing Course:
- - To participate in this course, you must have taken a previous sport climbing course or have experience top roping outside at a grade of 5.7 or higher and leading inside at a grade of 5.8 or higher.
Multi-Pitch Trad Climbing Course:
- - Participants are expected to have taken a previous sport climbing course or have experience leading trad climbs at a grade of 5.6 or higher.
Big Wall and Aid Climbing Course:
- - Before participating in this course, you’re expected to have taken a trad multi-pitch climbing course or have experience leading trad multi-pitch climbs at a grade of 5.8 or higher.
Technical Self Rescue Course:
- - Participants are expected to have previous experience climbing multi-pitch climbs.
Crack Climbing Course:
- - Participants are expected to have previous experience with top rope belaying and climbing 5.8 or higher outside.
When it comes to technical climbing equipment, you’ll need:
- - Helmet
  - Harness with a locking carabiner, belay device, and chalk bag
  - Ropes
  - Climbing shoes
  - Cord — 7 mm, 15 feet
  - Prusik cord
  - Sling — 120 cm
  - Climbing hardware (quickdraws, cam devices, stoppers, etc.)
Here’s a list of the equipment we suggest you bring:
- - Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 40L bag)
  - Water bottle
  - Food you can eat on-the-go
  - Hiking or approach shoes
  - Toiletries (sunscreen, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
  - Sunglasses
  - Camera — optional
You will be provided with a more detailed equipment list upon booking your desired course. If you do not have all of the required items, your guide will work with you to find the best place to buy or rent it.
Some additional equipment, such as the assisted braking belay device, quickdraws, alpine draws, and micro-traction style device, can be provided by your guide.
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season.
Group sizes and prices:
- - The max guest-to-guide ratio for the Trad Climbing Course and the Technical Self Rescue Course is 4:1.
  - The max guest-to-guide ratio for the Multi-Pitch Trad Climbing Course and Crack Climbing Course is 3:1.
  - The max guest-to-guide ratio for the Big Wall and Aid Climbing Course is 2:1.
  - For these private courses, costs per person decrease as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to climb with friends and family.
Climbing courses in Index can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking.

Min. age requirements:
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to climb on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Index, WA, most people fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport 3 hours away. From there, you can rent a car or take a bus.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Index, WA, please refer to the US Government’s international travel guidelines and the Washington State Department of Health’s COVID-19 safety guidelines.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
A 20% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 2 months (60 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies:
- If you cancel more than 30 days in advance of the trip, you will receive a full refund minus the deposit.
- If you cancel less than 30 days in advance of trip, you will not receive any refund.
- If you find someone to fill your spot, you may be entitled to a refund at the discretion of The Climbing School.
If poor weather forces an outright cancellation of a trip, you will issued a credit at full value to use towards a future trip or offered refund minus transaction fees. Extenuating circumstances and acts of god will be reviewed on a case by case basis.