FOČA MOUNTAINEERS REACH THE SUMMIT OF THE PYRENEES

A team from the mountaineering sports society "Vučja Stopa" (Wolf’s Trail) in Foča has successfully reached the highest peak of the Pyrenees — Mount Aneto in Spain, standing at 3,404 meters above sea level.

PHOTO: SRNA

The expedition, which included eight members from Foča, took place from August 13 to 20. Six of them made it to the summit, including Vladimir Kulić, who described the experience as both physically demanding and deeply rewarding.

“It was an enriching journey in every sense — not only physically but also spiritually. The landscapes were stunning, the natural beauty unforgettable. The climb took about seven hours over extremely rocky terrain. We crossed glaciers and navigated a ridge near the summit. It was tough, but we made it,” said Kulić.

Although the Pyrenees are not as tall as the Alps, Kulić noted their many glaciers and dramatic terrain make them quite similar in appearance. “The villages are charming — small towns with stone-roofed houses and winding roads. There were also a lot of tourists; it was quite a lively area,” he added.

The only woman on the team, Jelena Bašić from Doboj, is a medical student in Foča and a member of Vučja Stopa since 2023. After previously climbing Mount Olympus in Greece, this was her second major ascent outside the Balkan region.

“Compared to Olympus, this was easier for me because I was in better shape and had more experience. Before Olympus, I had only climbed Maglić and Cincar. This time, I felt much more prepared — it was my first time above 3,000 meters, and I was relieved I didn’t experience altitude sickness,” Bašić said.

She admitted there were moments of fear, especially when crossing the glacier for the first time. “I was worried whether I’d manage it. We had crampons, and luckily the snow was soft, so it wasn’t too complicated. There’s also a narrow ridge near the top — I was a bit scared of the height, but we crossed it successfully. Standing at the summit, we were filled with pride,” said Bašić, now in her final year of medical school.

Another participant, Stefan Gačić from Teslić, a sixth-year dentistry student, had only climbed the nearby Foča mountains before this. Aneto was his first international mountaineering experience.

“I was drawn by the challenge and the adrenaline. It was especially demanding because I had never climbed above 2,600 meters. Crossing a glacier for the first time was a new experience — thankfully, it was soft at this time of year. The ridge at the summit was intense — on both sides there were steep drops of several hundred meters,” Gačić explained.

Vladan Smrekić, one of the organizers and a seasoned member of the team, pointed out that this was their ninth international expedition since 2016 — skipping only the pandemic year.

“We’ve climbed peaks from Central Asia to various parts of Europe — the Alps, Olympus, Rila, and now the Pyrenees in Spain. The Pyrenees were a great choice — a very demanding range. When it comes to such climbs, good physical shape isn’t enough. Your body also has to respond well to the altitude, or you risk symptoms of altitude sickness,” said Smrekić.

One major challenge of climbing Aneto, he emphasized, is the low starting elevation. “You start from about 1,800 meters and have to climb around 1,700 vertical meters in one day to reach the summit — that’s a lot, especially if your body isn’t well acclimatized beforehand,” he explained.

As with all mountain adventures, this expedition had its risks. Just before the final ascent, one team member was injured but received proper medical care in Spain and is now recovering at home.

Vučja Stopa takes particular pride in the number of students in their ranks.

“Students make up one of the largest groups in our society, and interest is growing every year. They’re using their free time in the best possible way. Every sport is healthy, but especially this one — you’re surrounded by nature, beautiful scenery, and you’re constantly discovering something new,” said Smrekić.

With gratitude to the local government for supporting this expedition, the team from Foča promises to continue their mission of conquering new heights, enriching their mountaineering experience, and inspiring more young people to take on the world’s peaks.