A grandiose Melloblocco withstands the rain

Melloblocco in the rain. Melloblocco resisted. Val Masino woke up this morning to a heavy drizzle which lasted all through the morning and continued at times in the early afternoon. So what did the Melloblockers do? Despite the adverse weather forecast predicted days ago, more than 200 arrived this morning and registered nonetheless. Others, after having partied the night away, ventured up into the valley. The love for rock climbing evidently has no limits...

It's worth noting that amongst these diehards there was the world-class phenomenon Adam Ondra who, upon arrival at the Melloblocco village, stated that he'd go and climb, come rain or shine. Which he immediately did. Some even predicted that he'd fail to get up anything. But once again the little wizard surprised everyone. In a brace of shakes he sent a competition problem, the Beast to be precise, which provides some powerful moves through a "grotto" to then get established outdoors, i.e. in the rain. Only he knows how he managed to stick the pinches on the lip of the roof. Or perhaps it was the work of the climbing god who wanted to reward so much passion.

Adam wasn't the only one to resist in the rain and choose to take part in Melloblocco despite everything. There were the likes of Lead World Champion Ramon Julian Puigblanque and the ever-irresistible Sasha DiGiulian who put on a show by waltzing across the roof of the climbing gym, transformed for the event into a massive meeting hall, village, cinema and Melloblocco living room. Even Chris Sharma was there, always smiling and relaxed, engaged in the usual meetings with his countless fans. And in the early afternoon other stars arrived, such as the champion competition climbers Kilian Fischhuber and Anna Stöhr, as well as rising French star Mélissa Le Nevé and the extremely talented climber and mountaineer Hansjörg Auer.

All the Melloblockers - more than 2200 of them - managed to find something to do during this enforced break. Some waited for tonight's concert (the billboard at Vallanzaska announced a "spaghetti ska"). Others discussed endlessly about moves, or routes, they just can't climb. While others savoured those chance encounters and meetings which always take place at Melloblocco. In short, today was marked by an infinite flow of words. But also cultural exchanges, like that of Melloblocco and San Vito Lo Capo, Sicily's great little climbing paradise. Of course there were some who dozed away and recovered their energy after having given it their very best during the last days and (crazy) nights. Some read. Others waited, certain that the weather will (as forecast) be beautiful tomorrow. In fact, it had already stopped raining. And the shy sun had driven many out for a late afternoon bouldering session.

This is what Melloblocco was all about today. Many things all together. Done in unison. Little things so as to remain, to take part and continue to be a part of it all. In order to say that Melloblocco resists, that it can't disappear because of some rain. And tomorrow Melloblocco will continue, just like their smiles and desire to climb.

MELLOBLOCCO 2012
- Grip, magic and boulders galore at the start of Melloblocco 2012
- Melloblocco day one and the sea of new boulder problems
- Melloblocco 2012, a record start!
- Melloblocco 2012 instructions for use
- Melloblocco 2012 - The Bouldering Community returns to Val Masino