Alpinism, climbing, “sassismo” and bouldering

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The history of this valley begins with the classic conquists of the peaks. The first time of Mount Discrazia was at 1862, compleated by english alpinists Stephen and Kennedy, followed by Pizzo Cengalo, Cima Castello and Pizzo Badile. This first period continued until ca.1930, after the alpinistic exploration was oriented towards great walls and and climbs. 1937 Riccardo Cassin e friends conquisted one of the most difficult walls of the alps, the north-east of Badile, coming part of the alpine legend. This period went on till 1970s when “sassismo”  and bouldering was  born. On the big rocks young climbers discovered the game of climbing and the pitons were sostituted  by more soft  nuts, after the rocks came the turn of smaller walls, fun but highly difficult technical climbs. The pioneers of the new discoveries were Ivan Guerini, Paolo and Giampi Masa, Mario Villa, Jacopo Merizzi and many others, their friends. Were made the climbs called: Oceano Irrazionale, Luna Nascente, Polimago, Cristalli di Polvere etc.

 

In the following years the valley began to get famous in  the whole europe, and many climbers from other countries visit the location, many new climbs were created, like “Amplesso Complesso” and “Paradiso puo Atendere”.

 

Also today there remains many alternatives to create new climbs here, but in the lower valley, there has evolved very much also the bouldering sport, concluding every year with the international competition of “Melloblocco”.  The last ten years this competition has brought in Valmasino thousands of young people from all over the world, often the “old” heroes of the big walls now  giudge the competion!