Melloblocco 2015: Day two, a somewhat particular feeling (c) Open Circle
Melloblocco 2015: Day two, a somewhat particular feeling (c) Open Circle

A 1st of May marked by the game of waiting (and passion) for Melloblocco. This morning Val Masino woke up somewhat… sulky. In short, low clouds and open umbrellas for the 1,500 Melloblockers already up here in the valley. This wasn’t a bad thing though. A slow awakening wasn’t something most had hoped for but maybe exactly what was needed after a first day – and also a first night – that according to many was memorable. Starting with the competition boulders tested by the best. “The problems this year are fantastic” is what more that one climber said. And, since beauty always pays, the results of the first round came immediately…

Fotostrecke: Melloblocco 2015 – Tag 2



Gabriele Moroni, Stefano Ghisolfi and Anthony Gullstein, all three authentic boulder machines, resolved 6 of the 10 new problems set each year by the Simone Pedeferri team. The Finn even flashed 5 of them, while Moroni and Ghisolfi flashed 4. Not a bad start in the slightest! Of note is great Francesco Vettorata (4 problems sent) followed by Jacopo Larcher and Lithuania’s Vilimantas Petrasiunas.

After the first day even the women’s field was led by a superb trio composed of Jenny Lavarda, Giada Zampa and Austria’s Barbara Zangerl who all sent 3 problems. Caroline Sinno, Elena Chiappa, Roberta Longo and Katharina Saurwein managed to send two. But there’s more in store: Melloblocco has only just begun, excellent new arrivals are expected. Such as Mr. Adam Ondra who, upon arrival this afternoon, ignored the rain and checked out the “terrain”. Tomorrow the sun is expected to flood the valley. In short, the great battle towards the tops of the “competition problems” has only just begun…

Talking about “battles”: tonight there’s the not-to-be-missed event “Change Your Mind and Change Your Climbing” with the great paraclimbing athletes Simone Salvagnin and Urko Carmona Barandieran demonstrating their super-abilities. Who will have the courage to climb blindfold or without a leg? A challenge we’re certain many will accept! And talking about challenges: some even hedged their bets and have ventured out with open umbrellas to get some climbing done. Nothing strange here, this is what Melloblocco is all about.

These “die-hard” (or heroic) climbers include Elias Iagnemma, Angelo Colaiuda and Simone Tentori who, despite te rain, sent “Toro”  at Sasso Remenno. Congratulations to them and all those who ventured out to climb. This certainly shows how strong the Melloblocco climbing passion really is.

In the meantime, Mello’s priceless encounters and re-encounters are already in full swing. Because if there is something that no one can stop (even the rain!) then it’s the spirit of Mello. That somewhat particular feeling, those somewhat particular emotions we all share up here, in Val Masino. And those somewhat particular faces, those somewhat particular expressions we all have up here at Melloblocco…

Melloblocco 2015
When: 30 April – 3 May 2015
Where: Val di Mello / Val Masino (Valtellina, Sondrio, Italy)
What: the world’s biggest bouldering meeting
Who: for all those who love bouldering, from across the globe
What for: climb the numerous boulders and valley rock faces
Organisation: Associazione Operatori Val Masino
Internet: www.melloblocco.it

QuellePlanetMountain, Fotos: Open Circle