Climbing and particularly bouldering – literally climbing on boulders – is a growing activity throughout the world, including Italy.
To witness this positive trend is the rising number of boulderers, the expanding market of gear (shoes, crash-pads, technical wear, etc.), specialised publishing and participants to MELLOBLOCCO!

The reasons for its success are the need for wilderness and natural beauty, the wish to meet boulderers from all over the world and to enjoy sport outdoors.
Bouldering meets all these requirements, with negligible environmental impact and strong integration with the most advanced models of sustainable land development.

This international meeting will reach its sixth edition in 2009, having been organised every year in May since 2004.

Right from the start, the non-competitive side of the event was especially appreciated, gathering hundreds then thousands of young boulderers and older climbers and mountaineers from all corners of the world. Every edition has seen the participation of a crowd of boulder-lovers, from beginners to world champions.

Besides boulderers, lots of people have come along just to watch, attracted by the spirit of the event and the spectacular emotions offered by this sport.

According to the press and television networks that followed the event with great enthusiasm – there is a wealth of articles, press releases, videos and movies for each edition – Melloblocco is an extraordinary meeting and a pretty unique one in the world.

Its success lies in the wild beauty of the venue, Val Masino and Val di Mello, in the efficient and slender organisation as well as in the non-competition formula which offers boulderers a chance to practice together with the world champions.
Lombardy, Val Masino and Val di Mello in particular, has had a remarkable return in the number of climber tourists visiting. Thanks to Melloblocco, foreign climbers and tourists has come to know the area as well, enlarging the ranks of those visiting the area from March to November to practice this gripping activity.

Some figures of the past six editions, 1.095 enrolled foreigners (17%) from 58 countries: France 171, Great Britain 118, Germany 117, Czech Republic 93, Switzerland 72, Austria 68, Spain 65, Netherlands 45, Slovenia 38, Belgium 36, USA 31, Rumania 30, Russia 20, Slovakia 20, Hungary 16, Lithuania 15, Brazil 11, Argentina 10, Japan 9, Mexico 8, Bulgaria 7, Australia 6, Denmark 6, Philippines 6, Poland 6, Andorra 5, Portugal 5, South Africa 5, Ukraine 5, Peru 4, Turkey 4, Finland 3, Korea 3, Norway 3, New Zealand 3, Sweden 3, Venezuela 3, Bosnia 2, Canada 2, Greece 2, Libya 2, Albania 1, Belorussia 1, Burundi 1, Capo Verde 1, China 1, Colombia 1, Croatia 1, Cyprus 1, El Salvador 1, India 1, Iran 1, Ireland 1, Israel 1, Lebanon 1, Panama 1, Serbia 1, Vietnam 1.

Visualizzazione ingrandita della mappa

Melloblocco figures

Edition: 2004

311 enrolled climbers: 82% men, 18% women

Estimated people in Val Masino: 800 persons

Foreigners (5%): Francia, USA, Germania, Canada, Messico e Perù

Edition: 2005

822 enrolled climbers, 80% men, 20% women

Estimated people in Val Masino: 2000 persons

Foreigners(13%) from 22 Countries: Francia (37), Gran Bretagna (11), Olanda (10), Austria (9), Svizzera (9), Spagna (5), Germania (4), Slovacchia (4), Slovenia (4), Stati Uniti (3), Belgio (2), Argentina (1), Australia (1), Brasile (1), Filippine (1), India (1), Norvegia (1), Rep. Ceca (1), Romania (1), Serbia (1), Svezia (1) e Venezuela (1).

Edition: 2006

953 enrolled climbers, 78% men, 22% women

Estimated people in Val Masino: 2500 persons

Foreigners 19% from 27 Countries: Francia (25), Gran Bretagna (23), Germania (19), Austria (15), Spagna (13), Svizzera (13), Rep. Ceca (10), Usa (10), Belgio (9), Olanda (7), Polonia (5), Argentina (4), Slovacchia (4), Australia (3), giappone (3), Lithuania (3), Romania (3), Messico (2), Portogallo (2), Venezuela (2), Brasile (1), Corea (1), Filippine (1), Libia (1), Peru’ (1), Sudafrica (1), Ungheria (1) .

 SEE THE IMAGES

Edition: 2007

1003 enrolled climbers, 79% men, 21% women

Estimated people in Val Masino: 2500 persons

Foreigners 18% from 28 Countries: Germania (29), Gran Bretagna (21), Francia (16), Spagna (14), Rep. Ceca (14), Svizzera (12), Olanda (10), Austria (9), Bulgaria (7), Romania (6), Andorra (5), Ungheria (5), Slovacchia 5), Danimarca (4), Belgio (4), Slovenia (3), USA (2), Grecia (2), Giappone (2), Turchia (2), Sud Africa (1), Norvegia (1), Messico (1), Korea (1), Filippine (1), Cipro (1), Brasile (1) e Bosnia (1).

SEE THE IMAGES

Edition: 2008

1424 enrolled climbers, 78% men, 22% women

Estimated people in Val Masino: 4000 persons

Foreigners 19% from 33 Countries: Francia (42 atleti), Repubblica Ceca (31), Gran Bretagna (31), Germania (28), Svizzera (21), Austria (19), Slovenia (14), Belgio (12), Lituania (10), Olanda (8), Slovacchia (8), Argentina (3), Brasile (3), Portogallo (3), Romania (3), Spagna (3), Ungheria (3), Danimarca (2), Filippine (2), Finlandia (2), Nuova Zelanda (2), Russia (2), Sud Africa (2), Turchia (2), Usa (2), Australia (1), Bosnia (1), Colombia (1), Corea Del Sud (1), Croazia (1), Libia (1), Messico (1), Polonia (1).

SEE THE IMAGES

Edition: 2009

2008 enrolled climbers, 78% men, 22% women

Estimated people in Val Masino: 6000 persons

Foreigners 17% from 42 Countries: Francia (43 atleti), Repubblica Ceca (37), Germania (35), Gran Bretagna (32), Spagna (30), Russia (18), Romania (17), Slovenia (17), Svizzera (17), Austria (16), USA (11), Olanda (10), Belgio (9), Ungheria (7), Brasile (5), Ucraina (5), Giappone (4), Argentina (2), Lituania (2), Messico (2), Perù (2), Slovacchia (2), Svezia (2), Albania (1), Australia (1), Bielorussia (1), Burundi (1), Canada (1), Capo Verde (1), Cina (1), Filippine (1), Finlandia (1), Iran (1), Irlanda (1), Israele (1), Libano (1), Nuova Zelanda (1), Norvegia (1), Panama (3), El Salvador (1), Sud Africa (1), Vietnam (1).

SEE THE IMAGES 

Edition: 2010

1896 enrolled climbers, 75% men, 25% women

Estimated people in Val Masino: 4000 persons

Foreigners 13% from 35 Countries: Francia (41 atleti), Gran Bretagna (28), Germania (26), Spagna (22), Ucraina (13), Svizzera (12), Austria (11), Romania (11), Slovenia (10), Ungheria (10), Russia (9), USA (8), Israele (4), Australia (3), Olanda (3), Repubblica Ceca (3), Turchia (3), Argentina (2), Belgio (2), Brasile (2), Finlandia (2), Lituania (2), Polonia (2), Filippine (2), Bosnia (1), El Salvador (1),  Grecia (1), Indonesia (1), Kazakhistan (1), Panama (1), Sud Africa (1), Svezia (1), Tunisia (1), Venezuela (1), Vietnam (1).

SEE THE IMAGES

Edition: 2011

1896 enrolled climbers, 75% men, 25% women

Estimated people in Val Masino: 4000 persons

Foreigners 13% from 35 Countries: Francia (41 atleti), Gran Bretagna (28), Germania (26), Spagna (22), Ucraina (13), Svizzera (12), Austria (11), Romania (11), Slovenia (10), Ungheria (10), Russia (9), USA (8), Israele (4), Australia (3), Olanda (3), Repubblica Ceca (3), Turchia (3), Argentina (2), Belgio (2), Brasile (2), Finlandia (2), Lituania (2), Polonia (2), Filippine (2), Bosnia (1), El Salvador (1),  Grecia (1), Indonesia (1), Kazakhistan (1), Panama (1), Sud Africa (1), Svezia (1), Tunisia (1), Venezuela (1), Vietnam (1).

SEE THE IMAGES

Edizione: 2011

Great success and absolute record number of participants in Val Masino – Val di Mello (Italy) during the eighth Melloblocco, the biggest climbing and bouldering meeting in the world. 2600 registered climbers from 22 different countries took part in the event, while at least 10000 people gathered in the valley.

REPORT

IMAGES

VIDEO

From Thursday 3^rd to Sunday 6^th May 2012, it is Melloblocco^® time, the largest international rendez-vous of people who love bouldering, climbing and the breath-taking wilderness of Val Masino and Val di Mello.

Melloblocco^® and the Val di Mello Natural Park

The large broad-leaf and conifer forests of Valmasino and Val di Mello join the event! In respect of the whole Valmasino and of the Val di Mello Natural Park we suggest reaching the boulder areas either on foot or by bus-shuttles.

Melloblocco^® Bouldering and Communities

This year too, hundreds of new problems will be cleaned and set for Melloblocco^® 2012 in full respect of the environment. Follow and contribute to the event in real time on Melloblocco^® social networks: Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and Youtube.

Melloblocco^® All Around

Melloblocco^® is climbing but also parties, presentations, exhibitions, field-tests, meetings, aperitifs and more events on surprise. Do not miss the traditional La Sportiva Saturday-night Party. At sunset, Montura offers the boulder people musicians and drummers and dancers. Two painting exhibitions by Nicola Magrin and Gabriella Piardi. Photografic show on alpine pasture activities by Regione Lombardia DG Agricolture – ERSAF. Moreover, Melloblocco^® movies: videos and movies about climbing, mountaineering and outdoor sports.

Melloblocco^® Lab

Great stuff in 2012. Try the new Futura shoes by La Sportiva and discover the No-Edge technology. Garmin puts on the Melloblocco^® GPS bouldering map with GPS devices on free-trial during the event days. Vibram offers the “Resole Service” with live demonstrations with Xsgrip2, Xsedge, etc. soles. Melloblocco^® joins the high altitudes and ice-lovers thanks to Grivel: free-of-charge ice screw sharpening during the event. Furthermore, slack-line sessions with profesional slack-liners.

Melloblocco^® Instructions for Use

The event kit given to all participants contains the event T-shirt and the map showing all the problems in the areas, including the difficult money-awarding ones. Special prizes in climbing equipment will also be drawn among participants.

PROGRAM

The events will take place at the Melloblocco^® Village, at the Centro Polifunzionale della Montagna.

Thursday, May 3^rd – Melloblocco^® Open Ceremony!

5 p.m. Starting of registration to Melloblocco^® 2012

8.30 p.m. Presentation of Melloblocco^® 2012

9 p.m. Painters Nicola Magrin and Gabriella Piardi presents their exhibitions.

9.30 p.m. Presentation of the new bouldering guide “Melloboulder” by Versante Sud with the video: “S. Pedeferri, G. Maspes, G. Notari, E. Fanchi, R. Colli, G. Miotti and R. Colombo tell the author A. Pavan about the boulder areas”.

Friday, May 4^th – Melloblocco^®, Start!

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Bouldering time

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mellobaby- Melloblocco^® by for children and school classes; Arrampic-abile … bouldering for the handicapped in collaboration with ANFFAS and CONI Sondrio.

11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Judges at the most difficult money-awarding boulders

7-9 p.m. Melloblocco^® movies: videos and movies about climbing, mountaineering and outdoor sports: 7 p.m. “The Extraordinary Story” by Vibram, presented at Film Festival di Trento 2012; 7:45 p.m. Mellissimo, by UPclimbing.com

9-10:30 p.m. ADMO presents “Climb for Life”. La Sportiva presents the new shoes Futura and the No-Edge technology. Vibram presents “The Shoe Resoling Technique”. Grivel presents: Angelika Rainer.

10:30 p.m. Live music. DJ-set follows.

Saturday, May 5^th – Melloblocco^® Peace, Boulder and Party

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Bouldering time

10:30 a.m. Bouldering Clinics for all with La Sportiva athletes. Meeting at La Sportiva gazebo in Val di Mello.

11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Judges at the most difficult money-awarding boulders

6 p.m. Al-Berto concert, the Swiss group composing The Wizard´s Apprentice soundtrack, at Montura tepee

7-8:30 p.m. Melloblocco^® movies: videos and movies about climbing, mountaineering and outdoor sports: 7 p.m. “The Extraordinary Story” by Vibram, presented at Film Festival di Trento 2012; 7:45 p.m. Mellissimo, by UPclimbing.com

8:30 p.m. La Sportiva presents: the new bouldering video “The Network” by Chuck Fryberger

9:30 p.m. Movie on Adam Ondra “The Wizard´s Apprentice” by Petr Pavlícek, Bernartwood/Montura Editing coproduction.

10:30 p.m. La Sportiva Party at Melloblocco^® Village. Live music. DJ-set follows.

Sunday, May 6^th – Melloblocco^®Top!

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Bouldering time

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Judges at the most difficult money-awarding boulders

3 p.m. Al-Berto concert, the Swiss group composing The Wizard´s Apprentice soundtrack, at Montura tepee

4 p.m. Closing of the event at Centro Polifunzionale della Montagna. Money-prize awarding to the climbers who have sent the most difficult boulders and drawing of the gear-prizes for the lucky ones.

REGISTRATION – TRANSPORT – NOTICES

Pre-registrations: on www.melloblocco.it or by email at promo@melloblocco.it

Registration to Melloblocco^®: the Event Office is at Centro Polifunzionale della Montagna (Filorera), tel. +39 0342 640004.

Time for registration: from 5 p.m. of Thursday, May 3^th and from 8:30 a.m. the next day onwards

Registration fee: 12,00 €. Handing out of the “event kit” until available (2.500 kits).

Transport: Throughout the event, free-of-charge shuttle transfer for the Melloblocco^® participants to the boulder areas. A bus-shuttle is granted from and to Morbegno railway station in the days of the event.

Beware: the road to Val di Mello is closed to unauthorised cars. Camping is forbidden outside the camp-sites.

N.B.: the event is for climbers over 18; minors should be accompanied by a parent; the event will also be held in case of rain (be equipped for it). Participants must bring their own crash pads. The organisers disclaim all responsibility for any injury occurring to participants.

INFO & ACCOMODATION

Ufficio Turistico del Comune di Val Masino: tel: +39 0342 641117 fax: +39 0342 640040, email: info@valmasino-online.eu – web: www.valmasino-online.eu

Consorzio Turistico Porte di Valtellina: tel +39 0342 601140 – fax +39 0342 619063 – email: info@portedivaltellina.it – web: www.portedivaltellina.it

More info, pre-registration and updates on www.melloblocco.it

Cooming soon…