January 3, 2022 - HGSS members performed a complex and challenging rescue operation on Sunday night. After almost 13 hours, they pulled out an injured mountaineer, who slipped with his Alaskan Malamute North to a depth of 150 meters on Vaganski Vrh.

Fortunately, two friends were with the injured mountaineer, who immediately called for help and were in contact with the rescuers at all times, report 24 Sata. 

The head of the HGSS Gospić, Josip Brozičević, states that the mountaineers were experienced and had all the necessary equipment, but a combination of unfortunate circumstances led to this accident.

"The mountaineers climbed the Velebit hiking trail to Vaganski vrh. When descending, the dog was afraid to cross the icy surface. Its owner received it to pass it on. The moment he wanted to lower him to the ground, the dog began to slide on the icy ground. He was on a leash and tied to the owner, and as he slipped into the pit, he dragged his owner behind him," said Brozičević.

HGSS members received a report at 6:30 pm, and 27 rescuers from Gospić, Zadar, Split, and Istria reached the injured mountaineer and dog that had been in the pit for five hours. Unfortunately, the action on the inaccessible terrain, on the highest peak of Velebit, was hampered by snow and ice, and landslides and broken trees blocked the trails.

"The dog was curled up next to the owner in the pit the entire time; he warmed his owner with his body, thus preventing the mountaineer's significant hypothermia who suffered a severe fracture of the lower leg and ankle when he fell. In addition, he looked quite sober mentally and physically," stated Brozičević.

After rescuers pulled the victim and the dog out of the pit, the hypothermic mountaineer was first warmed, and his injured leg immobilized. His dog North, who passed without injuries, did not want to be separated from the owner for even a moment. Instead, he curled up on him while on a stretcher, while rescuers lowered him from the mountain on steep and icy terrain Transportation began at 0:20.

"When we started with the transport, we saw that it would not be possible to transport the victim and the dog together. Since the dog was unharmed, he was taken over by one of the rescuers, but even then, he was near the owner," said Brozičević.

After more than seven hours of transport, the injured mountaineer was taken to the ambulance, to the Gospić General Hospital, and then to the Zadar Hospital, where he underwent surgery.

HGSS members warn that hiking is dangerous in winter conditions, regardless of how experienced the mountaineer is and how well they prepare for the route. This accident has shown that only one wrong step is enough, after which there is no going back. Vaganski vrh is visited almost daily by mountaineers. The only exception is when the most severe winter conditions prevail on the mountain.

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April 18, 2019 - Putting Croatian adventure tourism on the map, with the biggest welcome in the world. Day 25 of this incredible 2011 adrenaline trip covering 2,500 km along the Croatian coast. 

The World's Biggest Welcome, an ambitious adventure tourism project in 2011 in Croatia enters Day 25 of this 2019 appreciation of one of the finest tourism promotion projects ever in Croatia.  

The plan? To showcase the diversity and fabulous offer of adventure tourism in Croatia by following a GPS route the length of the Croatian coast in the shape of the word 'Welcome' - thereby creating the biggest welcome in the world from a hospitable tourism country. 

Day 25 continued from Vaganski vrh to NP Paklenica on foot.

13 kilometres for the day: And just 13 km on foot from Vaganski vrh to NP Paklenica to continue forming the ‘C’ in ‘Welcome’.

Day 24 rolled into Day 25 at Struge, where the team slept over near Vaganski vrh.

And it looked like they were on the set of a horror movie. 

In the morning they set off to Buljmi.

And continued through the Velika Paklenica canyon. 

It looked like paradise. 

They continued with rock climbing on Debeli kuk. 

And finally ended in Starigrad. With beers. 

A key part of the project was promoting tourism, and the official website has details of the key places visited during the day. 

National Park Paklenica.

You can see the entire project on the Welcome website, as well as much more of Luka Tambaca's stunning photography on the Welcome Facebook page. 

Tune in tomorrow for Day 26, as Lacko stays in Paklenica for a day of big wall speed climbing! 

To follow the whole project from the start, follow the dedicated TCN page. 

April 17, 2019 - Putting Croatian adventure tourism on the map, with the biggest welcome in the world. Day 24 of this incredible 2011 adrenaline trip covering 2,500 km along the Croatian coast. 

The World's Biggest Welcome, an ambitious adventure tourism project in 2011 in Croatia enters Day 24 of this 2019 appreciation of one of the finest tourism promotion projects ever in Croatia.  

The plan? To showcase the diversity and fabulous offer of adventure tourism in Croatia by following a GPS route the length of the Croatian coast in the shape of the word 'Welcome' - thereby creating the biggest welcome in the world from a hospitable tourism country. 

Day 24 continued from Lovinac to Vaganski vrh on foot and bike. 

27 kilometres for the day: 20 km bicycle ride from Lovinac to Raduč, before 7 km on foot from Raduč to Vaganski vrh to continue forming the ‘C’ in ‘Welcome’.

Day 24 kicked off with Lacko and children from the Lovinac primary school.

Before looking at a map to see where their journey would take them next. 

They set out into the fog. 

And arrived in Raduč where Lacko nearly got attacked by a pack of wild dogs.

Pedaling to the top of Velebit.

And through the dark forest of Velebit. 

Which was worth it for the view over Lika. 

Pedaling towards Bunovac.

Bunovac is a meadow in the middle of Velebit which unfortunately hasn't been cleared of all the mines. The hiking path is the only "clear" part of the area. Getting off the path is seriously dangerous and is strictly forbidden. 

Deep in the fog of Velebit.

And finally, Vaganski vrh, the highest peak of Velebit.

A key part of the project was promoting tourism, and the official website has details of the key places visited during the day. Lacko and his crew didn't cross any significant landmarks on Day 24. 

You can see the entire project on the Welcome website, as well as much more of Luka Tambaca's stunning photography on the Welcome Facebook page. 

Tune in tomorrow for Day 25, as Lacko moves from Vaganski vrh to NP Paklenica.  

To follow the whole project from the start, follow the dedicated TCN page.