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ABC Channel 7 Assignment 7
Local Teen Climber Faces Tall Goal

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Jan. 15 — A Bay Area teenager is gearing up to set a world record in 2004 by climbing both El Capitan and Half Dome in Yosemite National Park in under 24 hours. The champion rock climber hails from Brentwood. ABC7's Leslie Brinkley spent the day with 13-year-old Scott Cory.

In a Spiderman-like ascent on steeply angled walls, Scott Cory demonstrates why he's become the new young champion in the extreme sport of rock climbing. He's in demand — on network TV and in the international press — as he trains 30 hours a week at a Concord facility and in the garage of his Brentwood home.

"I don't know many other people that would be able to do 24 hours of climbing and hiking."

Scott Cory, rock climber: "I had already done el Capitan and Half Dome, each in separate days, and I always thought it was the next step for me.

Leslie Brinkley: "To do them both in one day?"

Scott: "Uh huh."

Leslie Brinkley: "Will that set a new record?"

Scott: "It will if I can do it." He knows what it's like to be scared.

Scott: "When you're out on the face of the wall and the wind spinning in circles, all your bags getting stuck on the ledges."

Scott's Dad: "He's just really dedicated." Scott's parents are amazed at his prowess.

Jennifer Cory, Scott's mom: "I actually didn't notice Scott's gift for climbing. It was pointed out to me by other climbers at the gym."

Scott: "At 7 and a half, I realized it was what I wanted to do and I kept trying it more and more and fell in love with it and didn't want to stop."

And he hasn't stopped. He and his family have traveled around the world on his rock climbing escapades, which in 2004, will include trips to Peru and Scotland for the junior world championships.

Scott: "These are my trophies from over the years, internationals and nationals."

His room is a shrine to rock climbing greats. And as a 13-year-old, he now has an agent and photos that will soon go on a poster of his own.

But it's his upcoming Yosemite climb that's poised to grab headlines. On the first day with no snow or rain on the summit of Half Dome, he's ready to go and he'll be raising money for a school for the disabled in Alamo.

Sharon Hillstrom, Mauzy Foundation: "He's 13-years-old and it's really heartwarming to see him have a heart for kids."

In fact, he's quite an inspiration to younger kids who watch him lurch upside down across the 32-foot high rock climbing walls where he practices. Scott Cory is a force to be reckoned with.

Scott: "My goal for the future is to keep climbing and to keep loving it."