This past weekend I stepped out of my comfort zone and competed in the SCS Nationals in Boulder, CO.  Sport climbing is not something that is completely foreign to me, as I was exclusively a sport climber for 5 years of my youth, but it is definitely not something I do very often anymore.  So, I knew that this event would be a challenge for me.  Given that and the fact that it was at Movement, just a few blocks from my house, it was hard to resist.  

I've always been better at ropes and speed than bouldering.  I've been to 3 sport and speed nationals but this was my first bouldering nationals.  What a great experience!  It was held in Colorado Springs in the civic auditorium where they built a wall just for the nationals.  

Last weekend concluded the 2013 ABS National Championships. This year, I traveled out to Colorado Springs to compete in both the youth and open divisions, securing a semifinal bid in the adult category and my 5th National Bouldering Championship title in my last youth bouldering competition ever.This two week Colorado experience has definitely been one of the best times of my life, and I am extremely grateful to be able to live out this lifestyle, balancing my studying with traveling and competing with some of my best friends. Now that I am able to look back and reflect on...

ABS Open Nationals came to an exciting close this past weekend!!! Congratulations to Daniel Woods and Alex Puccio for an impressive win once again. This was my second adult competition. Last year I barely missed qualifying for semifinals in 22nd place. This time I knew I had it in me to make it to semi’s, but I always shoot for finals!!! Anyway, first off was qualifiers. I climbed about midway through the pack which turned out a great thing. Colin Bauer and I were chair buddies which was fun. I ended up sending four of the five...

ABS 14 open nationals was this weekend, and the whole event was very well organized and a lot of fun! In qualifiers, I flashed the first two climbs – both were fairly straightforward and gymnastic. I had a bit more trouble with the next two – there was a big move on the third one, which I tried to static, and in hindsight I probably should have just gone for it. The fourth climb was a technical problem, on which I got about halfway. When I turned to face the last qualifier, I found that it was essentially what...

Well it definitely has been a long time sine I last updated! I can credit that to living at Miguel's for most of June. I spent about a month down in Kentucky climbing outside in the Red River Gorge trying to get stronger. I have spent a great deal of time down there this year, I think that is the reason I am climbing as well as I am. I feel stronger than ever! Living in a tent for almost a month is nothing glorious, but I can proudly say that I grew to love it....