I just returned home from spending the past week in Austria representing the United States in the Youth World Championships for sport climbing. It was a great opportunity to be able to compete in this exciting and challenging event. During the competition we received climbs with very different styles from what I had ever climbed on in a competition before. But they were some of the most fun and exciting routes I have ever done. We were given very challenging routes, but one of the best parts was to be on new and different holds and features that I had not seen or climbed on before.

I went on this trip with my mother and had a great time traveling as well. We spent time in Italy, Switzerland, and Austria sightseeing before and following the competition which was tons of fun. This was also I believe the tallest man-made wall I have ever climbed on which was a neat adventure. The wall in Imst is located in the towns sports center and is a man-made wall that is in an outdoor venue. I had a fantastic time competing in this venue and traveling and spending time with other competitors from the U.S. team and other countries as well. After having a great time climbing in the competition I am looking forward to training more for Bouldering events as well as getting climbing outside in the Boulder area in the next few weeks.