The last 36 hrs have been great for me,

Uconn won.

Duke LOST!

And I FINALLY climbed this little boulder called Echale.

Thas for you Earl!!!

After braving dust storms in El Paso.

I am back home in Boulder. I've been doing some soul searching as to why I haven't felt "on form" lately. Looking back over the years I've always felt best when I climb 90% outside. So I'm going to make it simple on myself. No gym memberships, just the boulders.

Here are two pics from the 2nd or 3rd move of Fantasia, a great roof that I've enjoyed climbing on lately.

Night sessions...

I've been feeling pretty lazy the past few weeks. Not big Bill. He's putting in work, late at night. Always brining his A-game.

Untitled from Phillip Schaal on Vimeo.

Training hard...

Not much going on in Ct. People are shoveling off their roofs. I've been stuck inside training very hard.

When I've had some rest I've been training my lil' bro for the big leagues.

I've also made some time for fun too.

I'm looking forward to climbing again soon. Next week I'll be back in CO for a week,

then back again to El Paso!

Glastonbury....

I've been planning a trip back to CT for some time now. My Mother and Josef built a new addition on their house and offered my the painting job. I was very much looking forward to working and climbing while Im back.

Now I'm just looking forward to working....

Another Sydney Sensation...

Here you have another great v11 boulder problem in Sydney. Like most of the problems around Sydney this one doesn't top out. For me top outs are arbitrary. I mean I'm not concerned with a long top out that adds nothing to the difficulty of climb. I guess you have to weigh out the pros and cons for anything that seams dangerous. Fortunately this boulder just ends half way out a huge cave so there is really no were to go. I love to climb great moves and this one does not disappoint.

Combat Wombat from Phillip Schaal on Vimeo.

Cowboys still do exist in El Paso.

Real cowboys do exist.

I just returned from a three week trip from El Paso. It has become a ritual of mine now. Four straight seasons in a row are making me feel like a local. Maybe not that severe. Although I am beginning to have a soft spot for the harsh place.

This year I was a bit off form on my arrival. In effect my first week and a half was a warm up of sorts. Repeating some classics falling off some others. Fun at first but boring soon there after. Another theme for my trip other than my time spent warming up, Hueco was warming up too. So far the warmest winter on record. Lower 70's was common. True vacation weather. It wasn't primo by any means but acceptable. I put some time into old projects. Tried a few new ones. left excited to get back.

Chrtstmass Dinner at the Strong's

Santa even showed up!

Now that the holidays are over, it's time for me to start training again. Or something!