Lee Cossey sneaks new Taipan Wall testpiece

Lee Cossey, one of Australia’s most talented all-round climbers, has added a new route to the immaculate Taipan Wall in the Grampians which has been described by photographer Simon Carter as being  "one of the last great lines on one of the world’s greatest cliffs."

Sneaky Snake is a weaving 55m outing first bolted circa a decade ago by the 28-year-old, who came up trumps around Easter after some serious air-time - due to skipping bolts on the crux up high. Cossey graded his route 33 (8c, 5.14b) and success finally came after opting to climbing the first seven meters of an existing route and then traversing to the remaining independent 48m. The direct start remains the obvious challenge.

In spring 2010 the Blue Mountain local established Saturation Point 33 at Diamond Falls, while a year earlier his brother Ben completed Mr Pink, after Chris Webb's White Ladder one of only a handful of routes in Australia to be graded 34. Perhaps that tremendous direct start will up-the-ante Down Under?