VUČJA STOPA TEAM REACHES TOP OF THE PYRENEES

FOČA, SEPTEMBER 2 /SRNA/ – The mountaineering team Vučja Stopa /Wolf's Foot/ from Foča recently reached the highest peak of the Pyrenees – Aneto Mountain in Spain, standing at 3,404 meters above sea level.

The expedition from Foča consisted of eight members and lasted from August 13 to 20. Vladimir Kulić, one of the six members of Vučja Stopa who reached Aneto, emphasized that this climb was a significant and valuable mountaineering experience for all of them.

"It enriched us both as mountaineers and in every other way – we enjoyed the stunning nature and landscapes that the Pyrenees offer visitors. Physically, it was demanding; we hiked seven hours to the summit over extremely challenging and rocky terrain, crossed glaciers, and near the top traversed a ridge, but we succeeded," said Kulić.

Although lower in altitude, Kulić added, the Pyrenees resemble the Alps in many glaciers and terrain features, and they are characterized by picturesque settlements.

"These are smaller towns, houses are mostly stone-covered, roads are winding, and many tourists can be seen – there were indeed quite a number," Kulić noted.

The only female member of the expedition, Jelena Bašić, originally from Doboj and studying medicine in Foča, has been a member of Vučja Stopa since 2023. After climbing Mount Olympus, this was her second expedition to an important European peak outside the regional countries.

"Unlike Olympus, this climb was easier for me because I was physically more prepared and had more prior experience, although before Olympus I had only climbed Maglić and Cincar. It was a wonderful experience and a big challenge because it was my first time crossing altitudes above 3,000 meters. Fortunately, I did not suffer from altitude sickness," Bašić said.

She admitted that there was fear, especially since it was her first time crossing a glacier.

"The glacier itself was intimidating – would I manage to cross it? We had crampons, the snow was soft, and there were no complications. Also, near the summit there is a ridge, and I worried about the height, but we successfully overcame it and felt great pride at the top," said Bašić, a medical student in Foča.

Her fellow climber Stefan Gačić from Teslić, a sixth-year dentistry student, had previously only hiked mountains near Foča, making this his first mountaineering experience abroad.

"I was drawn by the challenge, a kind of adrenaline, and this mountain was very demanding, especially for me since I hadn't climbed peaks above 2,600 meters. It was my first experience on a glacier, and fortunately, it was soft at this time of year. The ridge near the summit was also very challenging, with cliffs hundreds of meters deep on both sides," Gačić explained.

One of the organizers and participants of the Pyrenees expedition, Vladan Smrekić, noted that since 2016 this was their ninth international expedition outside the region, with a pause only during the COVID-19 year.

"We have climbed in Central Asia, mostly in Europe in the Alps, then Olympus and Rila, and now in Spain in the Pyrenees. This was the right choice because the Pyrenees are particularly demanding. In such mountains, it’s not enough to just be physically fit – your body must also adapt well to the altitude because altitude sickness can occur," Smrekić said.

He emphasized that the body must acclimate properly before the ascent.

"The problem on Aneto is that the starting point is quite low, around 1,800 meters, and on that day you must gain about 1,700 meters in altitude to reach the summit, which can be too much for a body not previously accustomed to such climbs," he explained.

Every mountain is a great challenge, carrying not only breathtaking beauty but also certain risks, which was confirmed when one member of Vučja Stopa was injured just before the final ascent. In Spain, he received proper medical care and is now recovering at home.

Vučja Stopa is especially proud of the high number of students in its ranks.

"Students may be our most numerous members, and interest grows every year. They try to use their free time in the best possible way, and I think joining such activities is a wise choice – any sport is healthy, and this one in particular, because you are always in a beautiful environment, enjoying nature's beauty," Smrekić assesses.

With gratitude to the local authorities who again supported their climb, the society announced that it will continue its mission of conquering peaks worldwide, enriching mountaineering experience, and attracting an increasing number of young people.