12 Hard Sends This Week - Vest, Seo, Purdy and More

From Little Cottonwood to Brione, from Arco to Margalef, the past weeks have delivered significant sends across the climbing world. Rising talents, seasoned crushers, World Cup stars, and full-time professionals juggling work and training have all put down lines at their physical and psychological limits. Here’s a look at ten standout performances that defined the season.

Nicolai Užnik Does Brain Rot 8C+

He's sent Brain rot (8C+) and was very close to flash La force tranquille (8C) in Magic Wood, as can be seen in the video.

Miles Perry Sends Grand Illusion (8C+)

Last year’s 9a first-ascensionist Miles Perry has now added Grand Illusion (8C+) in Little Cottonwood to his résumé—an ascent years in the making.

“This one has always been on my mind,” Perry said. “For a long time it felt out of reach.”

The turning point came when his brother, Eli Perry, sent it last spring. “Watching his process got me stoked… he said I definitely had a shot.” This season, after roughly 20 days of effort, Miles topped out. “One of the most enjoyable climbs of my life.”

Allison Vest Solves Mad Circle (8A+)

Allison Vest—already with sixteen 8B or harder boulders—has completed Mad Circle (8A+) in Price Canyon.

“What an amazing boulder,” she said. Vest first tried the line in November 2022 and initially doubted she could span the standard beta. She devised her own sequence, refined it, and eventually committed fully. “I went from thinking I wouldn’t be able to… to just believing it would go and making it happen. Stoked. What a mega boulder.”

Austin Purdy Double-FA’s Two 8C’s in One Session

In Wild Basin, Austin Purdy authored two 8C first ascents—Don’t Fear the Reaper and Gojira—in a single session.

Both problems start from the same high, awkward hold beneath Two Sizes Too Big (8A) and XXL (8A+). Purdy was initially drawn to Reaper, calling it the “king line,” but the sit start proved brutal—crimpy, shouldery, low-percentage, and made harder after a key hold broke during attempts.

Gojira matched his style more naturally, combining power with a highball 7A+ finish. After sending Reaper, Purdy realized a double FA might be possible. His first go on Gojira ended with a fall and a torn finger, but encouragement from his partner pushed him to tape up and try again.

“To my surprise I made it through the beginning crux with my finger taped… then carefully worked my way up the highball finish with numb fingers.”

Sam Weir Repeats Poison the Well (8C+)

After roughly 25 sessions, American powerhouse Sam Weir has repeated Giuliano Cameroni’s Poison the Well (8C+) in Brione—calling it a “9A personal feeling.”

Weir works full-time in the nuclear field yet has logged ten 8C or harder problems in the past two years.

The line revolves around a reach-dependent double bump. “After eight sessions I did the move once,” he said. After a heavy summer of training and tackling anti-style blocs, the crux went from nearly impossible to repeatable.

This autumn he linked it from the ground three times before sealing the send. “I fell about 15 times even after doing the crux. What a wild and special one.”

His training: “A lot of board climbing, basic weights, trying really hard on boulders that aren’t my style… and keeping some max-effort work despite climbing outside only once a week.”

Filip Schenk Fires Erebor (9b)

A week after sending Tre Mou Polacche (9a), Filip Schenk completed Erebor (9b) in Arco—calling it a “king line” defined by tiny holds, variety, and psychological intensity.

The route opens with 25 relentless moves into a final boulder problem where a good rest becomes a mental trap. Schenk first tried the route in 2024 and had to invent his own beta for the opening crux. Returning this November with a replica of the first boulder built in his home gym, he clipped the anchor after just four days.

“Unforgettable,” he said.

Chaehyun Seo Crushing

Fresh off her second 9a+ two weeks ago, 22-year-old World Cup star Chaehyun Seo has repeated Adam Ondra’s Joe-Cita (9a) in Oliana, despite climbing with tape on both pinkies and her left index due to torn skin.

Her aim for the day had been Pachamama (9a+), but skin forced a change of plan. “During my first try I fell in the Joe Blau part because I forgot some moves,” she said. The second go, tape and poor conditions be damned, she made every move stick.

She then onsighted T-1 Full Equip (8c) in Oliana. "I really didn’t expect an onsight at all, I just tried," she said. "It was totally hard and took all my energy from the beginning, but I just pushed and made the moves. The first crux was the hardest for me, and after that it was quite okay. I changed sequences a lot."

Gianluca Vighetti Sends Lapsus (9a+)

Seventeen-year-old Gianluca Vighetti—who climbed his first 9a at age 12—has now completed Lapsus (9a+) in Andonno.

Post-competition season, he sought an outdoor challenge close to home. Lapsus, linking Noia (8c+) with the cruxes of Cobra Reale (9a), fit perfectly. Two years ago he couldn’t do the single moves; this year he found himself stronger, especially on finger strength. The route fell in eight sessions.

The next day he sent Cobra Reale as well. “I really loved trying these wonderful routes💎.”

Enrique Beltrán Blasco Takes Down Gancho Perfecto (9a/+)

In Margalef, Enrique Beltrán Blasco has completed Gancho Perfecto (9a/+), calling it “the greatest battle I’ve ever won.”

He began efforts in February, only to be shut down by heat in April. He refocused on training and on another line—Patanics (9a+), which he also sent. Returning in winter with good skin, good temps, and strong morale among friends, everything finally aligned. “Everything flowed, and I was on top.”

Stefano Carnati Repeats L’isola che non c’è (9a)

Italian climber Stefano Carnati has repeated Fred Nicole’s hybrid route L’isola che non c’è (9a) in Amden—a line long on his radar but far from home.

The climb begins with the bouldery Cavernicole (8A), extends into Ragtime (8B+), then joins a short rope section that becomes taxing after the long cave start. Carnati had worked the line last year but struggled on the rope finish.

This season, fresh from three 8C boulders in October, he returned to Amden and everything clicked. “Good sensations from the first go,” he said, and soon the full line was done.

Filip Schenk Doubles Up With Beginning (9a+)

Closing out a remarkable run, Filip Schenk also sent Beginning (9a+) at Eremo di San Paolo—the crag where he first learned to climb.

He had struggled with cold temps last autumn but returned this year and dispatched it on his second try. “This one means a lot to me,” he said.

The route sits in a style he’s never favored: overhanging, physical, tiny holds. Sending Erebor (9b), then Tre Mou Polacche (9a), and finally his long-time project Beginning (9a+) within five days gave him “a bittersweet feeling—but pride in seeing real progress.”

His explanation for his 2025 form: “I worked on my finger strength, always my weakness… and found the balance to stay motivated after the comp season.”

Adam Ondra's V15 Flash

Adam Ondra flashed Foundation's Edge V15 and has released a great short film about it and more hard flashes.