Nikola and Stele are Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS) members. The HGSS has been operating for over 75 years, primarily tending to cave rescues, ocean rescue, rock rescue, and more recently, avalanche rescue. It is a nationwide rescue organization with over 2500 members. The alpine terrain in the country is minimal, but the country is an exporter of avalanche victims. Including a prolific accident that killed a member of the organization and injured several others in neighboring Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Nikola and Stele have been involved with HGSS since they were young adults and serve as lead trainers, organizing international workshops for their organization's avalanche commission. HGSS has gained status as an ICAR delegate organization, and as of 2019 they regularly bring US avalanche instructors over to teach their team the emerging standards of North America. Working with these two on several custom programs, I have gotten to know their team and admire the commitment they place on advanced alpine training, often traveling to neighboring alpine countries like Slovenia, Austria, Italy, and France to practice.
Summary of their conversation: Nikola Brebric and Stele Stefanac give an overview of the history of the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service highlighting:
- Their involvement over two decades
- How the dynamic contrast of the recreational opportunities influence training, education and prevention, and rescue operations.
- The way a significant event shaped their organizations approach to internal training
- How they have made connections across the globe to keep their team up to speed on the latest advances in Avalanche Search and Rescue.
Croatian Mountain Rescue Service Website
Thanks to the sponsors of the show.
Legacy Sponsors:
Darren Johnson Avalanche Education Memorial Fund
Drone Amplified’s Montis
The Guide Network
Partner Sponsors:
Austin Powder
Peak Visor
onX Backcountry
Episode Sponsor:
Arva Equipment
Music: Ketsa
Artwork: Mike Tea
Production: Caleb Merrill, Angie Lake
