Organized mountaineering in Croatia began in 1874 when the Croatian Mountaineering Society (HPD) was founded in Zagreb with the aim of exploring the previously unknown mountain regions of Croatia. With the founding of HPD on 15 October 1874 Croats were among the first nations in the world to have their own mountaineering organization. In the beginning, HPD was dominated by naturalists and other researchers, many of whom were also the founders of the Academy, the University of Zagreb and initiators of important scientific, cultural and social events. In 1898, the magazine Hrvatski planinar began its publishing, and is still being published today as one of the oldest magazines in Croatia and at the same time one of the oldest mountaineering magazines in the world.
In the 150-year history of Croatian mountaineering, mountaineering expeditions to all the world's high mountains are particularly significant, including successful expeditions to the world's highest peaks. Croatian mountaineers have made a series of successful ascents to peaks of more than 8,000 meters, including ascents to the world's highest peak, Mount Everest (8,848 m) and have also climbed the most demanding rocks on all continents. Speleological activity has a long tradition and numerous worldwide significant achievements that are the basis for many scientific and applied researches. In 1950, the Croatian Mountaineering Association founded the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service. The mountaineering community today consists of 341 mountaineering associations with more than 40,000 members, united in the Croatian Mountaineering Association (HPS). The association is one of the largest sports associations in Croatia and the largest non-governmental organization dealing with nature protection. Today, Croatian mountaineers actively take care of more than 6,000 kilometers of hiking trails and 160 mountain lodges, houses and shelters.
The stamp issued on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of organized mountaineering in Croatia depicts Klek Mountain, which has a special place in the history of Croatian mountaineering, not only because of its recognition and beauty but also because the development of organized mountaineering began here in 1874.
Alan Čaplar,
Croatian Mountaineering Association
