From Mumbai to Melloblocco

Day 1 of Mello 2025 begins like this: a small group of Indian climbers, crashpads on their shoulders, is making its way from the Village in San Martino to Sasso Remenno. For all three, it’s their first time in Val Masino and Val di Mello, and with ear-to-ear smiles, they explain they've come specifically to be part of Melloblocco 2025. “Actually, I live in Berlin,” clarifies the one with the largest crashpad, but since the capital of Germany isn’t exactly around the corner — and climbers from Mumbai are a rare sight here in the valley — it felt like a fun little story to tell.

It’s just started raining. Up until now though the weather held up, and the boulderers who managed to make it here today were rewarded with good conditions. All afternoon, people could be seen climbing in the valley — not all too many, truth be told, probably because of the dire weather forecasts last week — but actually the climbing proved to be “surprisingly” good. The grip was there. Proof? One of the competition boulders, Usucapione, was freed by Giulia Rosa, and subsequently sent by Siara Fabbri and Katerina Zimova, while Marco Buffalo wasted no time and sent two blocs, followed by Stefano Motta, Simone Tentori, and Davide Bassotto, who topped one. That’s the lowdown about the hardest boulders, but this really doesn’t capture the most important thing of all: the relaxed, exploratory vibe of discovery and rediscovery that was palpable in the valley today. Just like every year.

Tomorrow, this sense of discovery will continue. Forecasts have predicted clear skies, and after all, a bit of rain is part of the greater game. No doubt it’ll be a day of beaming smiles. Just like those from Mumbai.