On Sunday, October 5, 2025, the serenity of Slovenia’s Julian Alps was shattered by tragedy, as three Croatian mountaineers were swept away by an avalanche on Mount Tosc. The accident, which claimed the life of one climber and left two others missing, has sent ripples of grief through both Slovenia and Croatia, highlighting the ever-present dangers faced by those who venture into the mountains, especially under harsh weather conditions.
According to police in Kranj, the three mountaineers were part of a group of seven from Split and the surrounding Croatian towns of Kaštel Sućurac, Solin, and Žrnovnica. The group had set out on an ambitious trek that began on Saturday, October 4, when they climbed from Pokljuka to Vodnikov dom at 1,817 meters above sea level. From there, they continued to Planik dom at 2,408 meters and then ascended over the southern rock of Triglav to the highest peak of the Slovenian Julian Alps, standing at 2,864 meters. After reaching Triglav’s summit, they returned to Vodnikov dom to rest and plan their next move.
On Sunday morning, despite warnings from staff at Vodnik’s lodge about an incoming cold front and worsening weather, three of the mountaineers decided to push on and attempt an ascent of Tosc via the grappa route. The other four members of the party chose to take a break and remain in the shelter. As reported by the official Slovenian news agency STA and confirmed by The Associated Press, it was during this final push that disaster struck. The three climbers were caught in an avalanche, swept from the slopes of Tosc and buried beneath a thick blanket of fresh snow.
Slovenia had been hammered by an early cold front that brought heavy snowfall, biting winds, and plummeting temperatures to the region. In the area where the avalanche occurred, more than half a meter of snow had accumulated overnight, creating perilous conditions for climbers and complicating rescue efforts. “Conditions are not good, it is snowing hard and it is cold,” rescue official Klemen Belhar told Croatia’s public broadcaster HRT, as reported by the BBC. The risk of further avalanches was high, and visibility was poor due to ongoing snowfall and fog.
Rescue teams sprang into action as soon as the alarm was raised, but their efforts were immediately hampered by the severe weather. According to AFP, around 60 members of the Slovenian Mountain Rescue Service (GRZS), including teams from Bohinj, Radovljica, and Jesenice, worked tirelessly to reach the site of the avalanche. They were forced to shovel through deep drifts of snow just to access the area, and the use of helicopters—often a critical tool in mountain rescues—was ruled out entirely due to the dangerous flying conditions. As Klemen Belhar explained, “Rescue service said they could not use a helicopter because of bad weather.”
The rescue operation was a race against time, with rescuers battling not only the elements but also the ever-present threat of additional avalanches. Despite their best efforts, only one of the three missing mountaineers was found—and he showed no signs of life. The remaining two climbers were still missing as night fell, forcing authorities to make the agonizing decision to suspend the search until conditions improved. Police spokesman Boštjan Repinc told Hina, “Rescue teams recovered a body... but the search operation had to be stopped due to hard weather conditions and avalanche threat.” The search was set to resume early Monday morning, October 6, as soon as it was deemed safe for rescue teams to return to the mountain.
For the four climbers who had remained at Vodnikov dom, the ordeal was harrowing. Once it became clear that their companions were missing, they descended to the Pokljuka plateau, shaken but safe. Local media reported that the group had been warned about the deteriorating weather, but the lure of the mountains—and perhaps a sense of accomplishment after summiting Triglav—proved too strong for the three who pressed on.
The tragedy on Tosc has cast a spotlight on the unpredictable and sometimes unforgiving nature of mountain environments. Slovenia, a small Central European nation, is renowned for its breathtaking alpine scenery and is a popular destination for mountaineers from across the region. However, as this incident underscores, even experienced climbers can find themselves at the mercy of nature when conditions turn suddenly hostile. The Slovenian Mountain Rescue Service is well-respected for its professionalism and dedication, but the events of October 5 serve as a sobering reminder of the limits of human preparedness in the face of extreme weather.
In the aftermath, questions have inevitably arisen about decision-making and risk assessment in the mountains. Staff at Vodnik’s lodge had reportedly cautioned the climbers about the approaching cold front and the likelihood of worsening weather. Still, the decision was made by three members to continue their ascent. While mountaineering is often about pushing boundaries and accepting risk, the tragic outcome on Tosc is a stark illustration of how quickly circumstances can spiral out of control.
Authorities and rescue officials have praised the efforts of all involved in the search and recovery operation, emphasizing the challenges posed by the conditions. According to The Associated Press, the rescue operation was suspended on Sunday due to “bad weather conditions including rain, snow, and risk of more avalanches,” with plans to resume as soon as possible. The Slovenian Mountain Rescue Service’s commitment was evident, with approximately 60 rescuers braving the elements in a desperate bid to save lives.
The Croatian mountaineering community, particularly in Split and the surrounding towns, has been left reeling by the loss. The names of the victims had not yet been officially released at the time of reporting, out of respect for their families. In Split, news of the accident spread quickly, with friends and fellow climbers expressing shock and sadness at the sudden turn of events. The tragedy has also sparked renewed calls for caution among those venturing into the mountains, especially during periods of unpredictable weather.
As search operations were set to resume at first light on Monday, hope remained that the two missing climbers might yet be found. However, as anyone familiar with the mountains knows, the odds become longer with each passing hour. The story of the three Croatian mountaineers on Tosc is a poignant reminder of both the allure and the danger of the high peaks, and of the courage and selflessness displayed by rescue teams who risk their own safety to help others in distress.
For now, the mountains stand silent under a heavy blanket of snow, bearing witness to both the dreams and the dangers that draw people to their slopes. The events on Tosc will not soon be forgotten by those who love and respect the wild beauty of Slovenia’s Julian Alps.
