Photo: Caroline Treadway
Hueco Tanks State Park & Historical Site

Hueco Tanks is arguably one of the best bouldering areas in the world. Located in the Chihuahuan desert, 30 miles east of El Paso, Texas, this 860-acre park is an extensive outcropping of sun-baked syenite porphyry boulders with over 2,000 established problems ranging from V0-V15.

Every winter, from November thru March, climbers travel across the globe to this isolated island of cratered rock for its warm, dry climate and large quantity of quality climbing in condensed areas.

Photo: Abbey Smith
Caine Delacy, Roughage

The boulders, ranging from VW Bug to house-sized, are adorned with incut edges and trademark huecos (Spanish for hollows) that lend themselves to brilliant face climbing and dynamic overhangs.

Photo: Jason Kehl
Abbey Smith, Assisted Living

Hueco Tanks is far from being tapped out there are more than 200 unpublished problems and over a dozen concentrated areas in the park s most visible places and darkest caverns. This past season alone, around 50 new classics were established throughout the park s four mountains. There s a lifetime of climbing in Hueco just never enough skin.

Check out the Photo Gallery for more images.

As I stroll along the cracked concrete of South Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas, I'm reminded that this vibrant, artsy, hipster district was once a squalid sector of ramshackle shops and seedy bars. I'm here on a jet-set mission, and with only 24 hours to explore, SoCo provides the perfect, pedestrian friendly access and a taste of Austin's authentic, unorthodox flavor.

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It's almost dark when I check into the Hotel San Jose, a refurbished, bungalow-style hotel. The rooms are charmingly spacious with a blend of modern chic d cor and luxurious amenities a real retreat after spending four months climbing in arid Hueco Tanks.

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Before racing off to my presentation, I enjoy a quick Fire Cracker Roll and Seaweed Salad at Zen Japanese Food Fast across the street, in less than 15 minutes and under five bucks.

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With a panoramic view of Austin's downtown high-rises on the horizon, SoCo runs along the eastern edge of Congress Avenue, and then borders Town Lake on the north, Oltorf to the south, and South First Street to the west. Immune from corporate chains, this broad avenue is lined with eclectic restaurants, cute cafes, funky boutiques, vintage and high-fashion shops, landmark bars, quirky food-trucks, neighborhood grocery stores, as well as uniquely renovated hotels, apartments and condos.

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This proudly independent state capital is the self-proclaimed "Live Music Capital of the World." On any given night, it's easy to find live music, cheap drinks and a rambunctious crowd. Since 1957, the Continental Club, located at 1315 South Congress, has reigned as one of Austin's premier music venues.

The next morning, it's off to yoga. Halfway there, I decide to blow it off when I spot the shiny Airstream street vendor Hey Cupcake! and stop to enjoy a Vanilla Dream. After one bite of vanilla on vanilla, I instantly fall in love with this remarkable boulevard.

In the efforts to "Keep Austin Weird," SoCo's creative persistence and corporate resistance embraces it all. Knowing I only scratched the surface, I look forward to the next trip hopefully longer than 24 hours.

Check out the Photo Gallery: "Keeping Austin Weird"