Lee Cossey

Lee Cossey is fast becoming one of Australia’s most progressive climbers alongside his brother, Ben. The Blue Mountains-based climbers have been mentioned in the pages of prestigious climbing journals worldwide, and Lee holds the first ascent of one of Australia’s hardest routes, Sneaky Old Fox, grade 34, at Diamond Falls – to date an unrepeated ascent.

He has also made a name for himself in the big wall mecca of Yosemite, having one of the best seasons on a first trip. This included a ground-up free ascent of El Nino on El Capitan, a 900m, 31 pitch, grade 5.13c route.

Over the 07/08 summer, Lee freed Lord Gumtree in Mount Buffalo, Victoria, a classic ten-pitch aid route that pushes trad climbing in Australia to a higher level. In May 2008, Lee will travel back to Yosemite and, hopefully, also to Patagonia.

And Lee’s favourite piece of BD gear? The 'exceptionally adaptive Camalots. Their smooth action and extended range over other units makes placing them faster and lessens the likelihood of not having the right piece for the placement’.

To keep up with Lee, Ben and Amanda's real time ascent of El Capitan's Zodiac route, go to www.teamtigermonkey.blogspot.com.