Alpinism, a set of activities that involves ascending mountains, was added to UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) on 11 December, when International Mountain Day was observed, the Croatian Mountaineering Association (HPL) stated on Friday.

“Alpinism is a traditional, physical practice characterised by a shared culture made up of knowledge of the high-mountain environment, the history of the practice and associated values, and specific skills,” according to the explanation provided by the UN.

Alpinism is recognised by the UNESCO as an art of climbing mountain summits and testing one’s own physical, technical and intellectual strengths as well as of challenging one’s own capabilities and expertise while negotiating natural, non-artificial obstacles.

The Croatian association explained today that the nomination of alpinisim for this list of UNESCO had been proposed by the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA) with the support of national associations which are members of this federation, founded in 1932.

In Croatia, alpinism is promoted within activities organised and promoted by the HPS Commission for Alpinism, which include expeditions, hiking, climbing high mountains and other related activities.

The UIAA introduces itself as a federation with “a global presence on six continents representing over 90 member associations and federations in 68 countries.”