i've been driving around the western us, living in my '86 westy, for about a month now.  earlier this week, as my gf was driving through idaho, she reported that it felt as if she was constantly going uphill.  i took over driving, and sure enough, there was signifigantly less power than when i had been driving a few hours before.  the problem has been persistent ever sense.  the engine more or less runs fine, no stumbling or missing, idle is ok, gets up to high rpm fine, but there is just way less torque available.  i have to get down to 2nd or 1st gear to climb hills!!  

does anyone have any ideas where to start looking?  i pulled a couple spark plugs and they look ok.  the plugs,wires,cap&rotor are new.  could it be a clogged fuel filter?  should i have the compression checked?

i'll likely take this to a shop for some trouble shooting.  does anyone have a reccomendation of a good vw shop in the boulder, co area?  i have a place to stay here for a few days and would like to get this looked at here.

thanks!

Ben.