On the standard (easiest) way up Mt. Index, this is the principal difficulty in the climb if attempting the mountain later in the year. This is what I call the "Hourglass Gully". Pictured here is the narrowest section (at approx. 5,000 ft) which involves 50 feet or so of class 5 climbing. This is usually a snow-filled walk up in early season. The icicles in the photo are probably about three feet long. Photo taken October 16, 1999.