On the 11th of August 2025, in a post on Instagram, Chris Cosser announced his accent of the famous Creature of the Black Lagoon. A notorious 8C+ in the Rocky Mountain National Park. First opened and climbed by Daniel Woods in 2016. After first trying the problem in 2021, Chris returned this season with friends and made consistent progress each session. After spending only four sessions attempting the boulder, Chris got the send.
While Chris might be shying away from the attention of being the first South African to send this grade, the achievement speaks volumes for Chris’s continuous dedication to climbing. Despite living abroad and making his home in the United States, Chris’s achievements are still well known and celebrated in South Africa.
Chris represented South Africa in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and has had numerous impressive sends over the years, both well before, and after competing in Tokyo. Most notably, in 2024 Chris clipped the chains of Ice Cream (9a) becoming the second South African to achieve this grade behind Mel Janse van Rensburg. This time last year Chris also sent Monkey Wedding (8C) and Spray of Light (8C) while on a trip home to Rocklands. Now, Chris has not only cemented his place in local climbing history, he is also one of only sixteen people to have sent Creature from the Black Lagoon.
When speaking with Chris, it’s clear that this is likely not the last we will see. While balancing full time work and training has its challenges and limitations, Chris admits he still has his sights set on several projects – from bouldering to lead and, too many to name. As the weather improves in Colorado, Chris is optimistic that more projects will fall. Keeping his focus outside and on rock for the time being, Chris’s goal remains clear – to continue to push himself.
It goes without saying, but a huge congratulations to Chris on this milestone achievement.
