From Climbing · Corey Buhay · · 1m 40s
9 Undercover Climbers Shaping Climbing's Future
Nine climbers who quietly dominate the sport without fame could redefine climbing's next generation.
In brief
Nine climbers who quietly dominate the sport without fame could redefine climbing's next generation. Nine climbers who send hard routes without public recognition may influence climbing's future. Originally reported by Climbing.
The Undercover Crusher Phenomenon
The climbing world loves its celebrities but also its underdogs, with undercover crushers emerging quietly to send famous projects and vanish again.
“It’s not my hardest route ever, but I think it took me the most effort, in terms of projecting as well as bolting.”
Cy Mcintosh
Cy Mcintosh, 20, established Montana's hardest climb Fox-Like Creature (5.15a) but says his proudest send is World Without End (5.14d).
“It’s not my hardest route ever, but I think it took me the most effort, in terms of projecting as well as bolting.”
Quinn Mason
Quinn Mason, 23, sent her hardest sport climb Spirit Quest (5.14d) and two Squamish lines this year while pursuing filmmaking and youth coaching.
“It was also the first 9a [5.14d] route in Montana, which I’m proud of.”
Eli Perry
Eli Perry, 21, sent V16 routes Pegasus (V15) and Grand Illusion (V16) while working as a busser at an Italian restaurant.
“Both of them I spent a lot of sessions on and multiple seasons.”
Dr. Shanjean Lee
Dr. Shanjean Lee, 42, sends hard routes across disciplines while working as an orthopedic surgeon at the VA Medical Center in Reno.
“It was really special to add a new testpiece route to a place that had given me so much.”
Teddy Eyob
Teddy Eyob, 31, sent the Joshua Tree triple of finger cracks and became the first Black climber to free El Cap (NBD) in early 2026.
“I love lines that have finicky gear and keep you feeling like every piece you place is what’s keeping you from decking.”
Lani Chapko
Lani Chapko, 32, established La Sombra de Muerte (5.12b; 1,500ft) in Mexico and lives in Index, WA.
“There is always another 4-star route, a new way to get humbled, and something to learn from the climbing there.”
Sam Daulton
Sam Daulton, 33, made the first flash ascent of Grand Illusion (5.13c) in January 2.026 while working as a research scientist for Meta.
“Grand Illusion was the hardest climb in the world when Tony Yaniro made the first ascent in 1979.”
Liam Foster
Liam Foster, a physics Ph.D. student at UC Berkeley, redpointed Line Above the Sky (D16), the hardest drytooling route in the world.
“It doesn’t have to be aesthetic as long as the holds are cool and the movements are cool.”
Andrew Leich
Andrew Leich, 32, sent Green Magic in the Hills (5.14c) after nearly two years due to a rattlesnake bite in 2025.
“I think people get snooty about climbs, and only want to climb good climbs.”
The takeaway
Nine climbers who send hard routes without public recognition may influence climbing's future.
