Interesting post. I have only been on 4 routes at Chimney, but I thought Cooper Hiser was the worst. What's so great about it? The only memorable parts were the very start of the first pitch, the short little handcrack left of the chimney on the second pitch, and passing through the tunnel (if finishing over there). The rest of it is highly broken with loose rock and loose flakes. It's an ok route, but look around you, there are several mega classic routes on the east face and that isn't one of them.
I'll have to try camping on top, sounds like fun.