ExcitableBoy wrote:Wastral wrote:Uh, EB, Index isn't world class trad when compared to CO. Don't even try to go there! Its not even in screaming distance let alone shouting.
That's right. Nothing good to climb at Index. Keep driving east to Leavenworth. Don't let Colin Haley, Mikey Shaefer, Justin Sjong, Fred Beckey, Hugh Herr or Todd Skinner fool you.
This topic reminds me of when I am in Colorado local Colorado folks trying to imitate you, by saying the alpine of Colorado is just as good as Washington, California, Wyoming, or Canada Rockies... Its not even close. In fact Colorado alpine is down right boring. Giant mole hills for the most part.
1 little wall of good rock is world class trad? Uh no.
What you are saying equivalently is that Index is comparable to Yosemite. Get real man. Colorado is equivalent to Yosemite or nearly depending on what you decide to climb and there is a TON more of it.
I don't believe you have ever been in Colorado it seems. High quality rock of all types is EVERYWHERE along with excellent weather for most of the year. It is Ubiquitous. To be a world class destination you have to have more than 3 routes or in Index's case 23 routes. Yea, the rock is good on the few routes that are there. So what? When you are waiting in line its not very good anymore. Or when you have already climbed the good routes and have to do laps on them... That is not world class trad. That is just good trad whom the locals have over inflated its reputation because they don't have anything better. The 6 pitch climb of Petit Grepon is better climbing than anything in Washington outside of liberty crack on liberty bell, actually its better as it doesn't require aid, and its not exactly unique in Colorado.
I am not saying Index is not good. It is don't get me wrong. But, it is NOT world class though. Never take the opinion of locals as fact as they are always over inflated. Let outsiders give said opinion. Outsiders opinion it seems is that they skip it and go to BC or Washington pass or Leavenworth or city of Rocks Idaho or, Smith Rocks Oregon or red rocks or nearly anywhere BUT Index.
Common man a bit of reality and less hubris.