Melloblocco day 1: the ritual recommences

This morning Val Masino and Val di Mello woke up bathed in splendid sunshine and at the moment the valleys are showing off all their beauty to the first climbers who have just arrived at Melloblocco. As always, they are greeted by crystalline waters, by snow-capped peaks, the imposing Precipizio degli Asteroidi and the other huge mountain crags that overlook the thousands of boulders scattered throughout the valley. As for the largest bouldering meeting in the world, the ritual began in 2004, exactly 20 years ago, and shows no signs of aging.

Yesterday the light drizzle did nothing to dampen the spirits of those who worked tirelessly in recent months to prepare the Melloblocco - first and foremost the route setters Matteo Bufalo, Andrea Pavan and Matteo De Zaiacomo - and today all their efforts were rewarded.

It was day 1 of the meeting and, as such, it was time to see old friends (perhaps 365 days after the last meeting), to make new acquaintances (perhaps sharing crash pads from Bormio, Bolzano or even Berlin), and to start bouldering (perhaps even sending a problem or two). Indeed, some of the best climbers made short work of the prize money blocks and sent a strong of them with disarming ease, such as Siara Fabbri, Roberta Longo, Barbara Zangerl, Stefano Carnati, Simone Tentori and Pietro Vidi. Others though realised once again that the bouldering here is yes extremely beautiful, but damn difficult. And also that the rough granite here is particularly unforgiving.

But it really didn't matter. Everyone gave their all today as they tried to push their limits, safe in the knowledge that tomorrow is another day, that they need to save their skin in order to try the problem that got away. After a short rest, a few beers listening to the strong climber and nutritional biologist Gianluca Bosetti talk about "How light is right?" (maybe that beer wasn't a wise decision after all... ) tomorrow morning the ritual will recommence.

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MELLOBLOCCO 2024
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When: 8 - 11 May 2024
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
Info: www.melloblocco.it / Instagram / Facebook