An approach for improving the writing an index file on tape storage by switching, via a tape drive, write sequences in an index partition, in which the tape drive switches between a normal wrap sequence and a reverse wrap sequence. Further, embodiments write the index information by the normal wrap sequence during initialization of the tape media, in which the tape media is being mounted for the first time. Additionally, embodiments write the index information by the reverse wrap sequence during an unmounting the tape media for the first time, and wherein the tape media is mounted based on index information written at a rearmost end of one or more data partitions during second and subsequent mounting.