Beckett Hsin Sends Defying Gravity
Beckett Hsin, who sent his first V15 in 2023, has repeated Daniel Woods Defying Gravity V15 in South Platte. The 16-year-old, who is 159 cm tall with an ape index of +8 cm, needed only one session for the send.
On IG, Hsin said: Absolute dream line for me. A beautiful, tall face with the most perfect grips imaginable. Being able to do it in just one session feels absolutely unreal.
This thing has been at the top of my list for quite some time now. I knew it would likely fit my style, but despite this I always felt intimidated by how big the moves are (I’m 5’2). Yesterday I finally made the mission out to DG, and was pleasantly surprised by how possible it felt. After working it for a bit I was able to stick the crux move several times. But the second “easier” jump proved to be just as difficult due to me not being able to reach it (I think I fell here more than the actual crux lol). After a few more tries of falling on the second jump from the bottom, I was able to execute the sequence perfectly, and stick the second jump move for the first time (see slide 6) then took it all the way to the top!
After my send I repeated the first crux move for a total of 7 times, and made a couple links on the low. Maybe one day I’ll be back for the full thing..
I’m so grateful for all the opportunities to be trying and to sometimes be standing on top of these legendary blocs that have inspired me for so long. I have so much respect for these king lines and the people who’ve made them possible🙏. Psyched for more this season!
The following was an interview by 8a.nu with Hsin.
Can you tell us more about the quick send? Defying Gravity has been a dream of mine for quite a while. It’s a striking, tall, overhanging face that revolves around a difficult jump move between two crimp rails. Despite it being relatively close to my house and fitting my style I had never tried it until recently. When I first tried it I didn’t have any expectations, I was just psyched to be trying such an amazing line. But after working out my beta, which ended up being a close right heel hook, I was able to stick the crux move pretty fast into the the session, and realized it was much more possible than I thought. But the second “much easier” jump move posed another challenge as I was too short to reach it. At first I tried to find a way to work around the big move, but eventually decided it was best to full commit to the jump. After missing the jump a few more times from the bottom, I managed to stick the move for the first time and take it all the way to the top!
Did you take any bad falls, like from the position in the picture? Luckily I never took any bad falls. On my send attempt I stuck the second jump one handed and held a crazy swing, which felt super cool but was also pretty scary. I think if I had fallen there I would’ve swung off the landing onto some logs. The top out was spooky too since I’d never tried it before and didn’t have any beta. But I managed to keep my composure and work my way through it.
What is next? I’m planning a trip to Joe’s Valley next month, I fell off the top of Pegasus (8C) last spring so I’m hoping to finish it off while I’m there. I’d also be interested in trying No One Mourns the Wicked (9A) I played around on the moves after I sent Defying Gravity and would be psyched to try it more later this year!
How does a normal training week look like and how much do you climb outdoors?
On average I climb 3-4 times a week in the gym, most of that time is spent on the Tension Board or spraywall. I like to keep my gym training flexible to allow for as much time on rock as possible. My older brother Sam writes me training plans and workouts which has been a huge help throughout the past few years!
Usually just once or twice on the weekends. I don’t have my drivers license yet so I mostly climb with my brother or when I can catch rides with my friends. My Dad has also been a big help, driving and supporting me on whatever projects I’m trying!