1924
03 — Heritage
Five generations of mountaineers, one mountain. A hundred years of the Vršak society.
Five generations
The first hut had one stove, twelve beds and a book where every ascent was written down. The book is still there — it just has more pages.
A hundred years on the ridge
- 1924
The first hut at Oštarije
Twelve hikers from Gospić build a wooden hut below Kiza.
- 1952
Rope and pitons
The first winter route on the Kiza face, with hemp rope and forged pitons.
- 1968
The canvas pack
The society sews its own packs; one still hangs in the hut today.
- 1989
The new lodge
A 40-bed lodge and the first winter alpine school.
- 2024
A ridge bivouac
The society turns one hundred: a six-person bivouac on the path of the bora.
The people who drew the route
Mate Rukavina
founder, 1924
A teacher from Gospić who first wrote down the winter ridge route.
Ana Vukelić
first head of the winter school
Ran courses for young alpinists for some thirty winters.
Ivo Pavelić
lodge builder, 1989
Carried the beams on his back where the truck could go no further.
Lucija Tomljenović
expedition lead, 2026
Planned the path of the bora for five years before setting off.
The mountain does not ask how strong you are. It asks how long you can wait.
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