In the Val Masino, granite is the source of life. It provides work for stone carvers and fun for climbers. And both require callused hands...
 

For the sixth year in a row, over 2000 climbers from all over Europe gathered at Melloblocco for a long weekend of climbing and fun, making it without doubt the number one European event of its kind.

As usual, the local climbers scrubbed and prepared new areas with hundreds of problems for everyone. The pro-climbers worked 8 particularily difficult problems.

An international selection of the team came to represent Petzl:

• Sean McColl (CAN)
• Jorg Verhoeven (HOL)
• Mauro Calibani (ITA)
• Tony Lamiche (FR)
• Maud Ansade (FR)
• Said Belhaj (SWE)
• Daniel Woods (USA)
• Philippe Ribière (FR)

 
With a couple of new, young faces:

• Enzo Oddo 14 years old (FR)
• Leonardo Gontero 15 years old (IT)
   

From left to right : Daniel Woods, Tony Lamiche, Jorg Verhoeven and Sean McColl

The opening day, after a great bouldering session, was dedicated to a special evening with Phillipe Ribiére. Stopping at Melloblocco during his European travels, Philippe presented his movie and gave a speech about his perspective of being a handicapped climber.
Follow his trip on Philippe's blog

Philippe Ribière:
- "Wonderful landscape, incredible boulders, sharp granite, friendly atmosphere and gathering with the team"
 

Later on, Said Belhaj and the Sagagnass Sound System put on a great concert. Said, wounded finger and all, gave an amazing performance and entranced the crowd...

A few photos from Melloblocco...
 

Guillaume Glairon Mondet links Parnassius (7c+)

  One of the women's problem: Heroes [6c+]

Enzo Oddo flashes Heroes (6c+)