Ascoli Piceno, November 27
First leg of the circuit Melting Block 2004
Photo Paola Romanucci©

On Saturday, November 27, in the climbing gym Bside of Ascoli Piceno, has taken place the first leg of the series of bouldering competitions named “Melting Block”. Mauro Mongiovì and Enrico Squasselli of the Bside of Ascoli, together with Maurizio Riganelli, manager of the climbing center Arterisko of Macerata, had the idea of this circuit in the Marche region. The event consists of three legs, in a period between the end of 2004 and the beginning of 2005. The second leg of the circuit will take place on January 15 in Macerata, in the Asterisko gym, while the conclusion is planned on March 19 in the gym “il Cubo” in Jesi, in the province of Ancona.
The objective of the event is to create an occasion of meeting and indoor comparison for the enthusiasts of climbing in Central Italy in the winter period, combining to the classic aspect of the “competition” also the definitely more friendly one of the party among enthusiasts of the same sport.
At the same time of the event Bside celebrated also the first anniversary of its life, with enthusiasm for the success obtained in the activity and the growing number of members who frequent the gym. It is the confirmation of a winning project, born out the fervid imagination of Mauro Mongiovì and developed in collaboration with the Yuki Club, famous sport center of Ascoli Piceno, where Bside is located.
A nice party, in short, rich of emotions, music and chalk.
Here the original report of Mauro Mongiovì.
Oscar Durbiano

Melting Block 04: It is not forbidden to have fun
It hasn’t yet been forbidden to have fun, also if it seems that somebody likes it.
On Saturday, November 27, at the same time of the first anniversary of Bside, has started a circuit of party-like competitions, named “Melting Block”. When Maurizio Riganelli proposed us the name of the event we understood that he had understood. Yes, for him it is still licit to have fun. Melting means many things and among them also fray, a not really orthodox and conventional mixture…. Therefore we have thought, “ Good, funny!”.
Yes, the idea was this one, paradox but extraordinarily effective.
Surrounding the party there will be a climbing competition, and not the other way around. With a good sangria it will be possible to better observe the competition, eating a delicious sandwich with pork and dancing it will be possible to get to know somebody interesting, listening to the tribal rhythms played by two musicians from Congo will create an electric atmosphere, with the disco fumes and the right lights it will be possible to enjoy an original backstage for a competition.
Instead NO!
Drunkenness is very dangerous. I understand, pork makes you fat and to get to know somebody doesn’t interest me that much. The musicians from Congo aren’t surely the Pink Floyd and I hate discotheques. Better to think about the results, the rankings, these are really serious things!
Here below you will see a leaflet with the dates of MELTING BLOCK, the party is taking place again, we try it again, don’t worry, there will be also rankings and prizes, but take advantage of it, let’s try to enjoy and climb for fun like the children, let’s try not to take ourselves too seriously: at the bottom we are speaking about climbing, not international politics. It is Christmas, a new year is arriving for everybody and we wish you, using the words of Jimi Hendrix, peace love and all the other balls shits. We apologize for the Christmas outlet, we feel the pressure of the holidays.
Mauro Mongiovì