A mushroom forager in Croatia's Gorski kotar region had to be rescued by mountain rescuers this autumn after splitting from his group during a storm with heavy rain and thunder. The incident, reported by Croatian daily Novi list, highlights the risks of foraging in unfamiliar terrain when weather turns suddenly. Rescuers warned that even familiar ground can become dangerous and advised foragers to check forecasts, stay together, carry a charged phone, and call 112 early if lost.
The season has also been poor. Dnevnik Nove TV reported that mushroom societies described a dry season with a weaker yield, and that a kilogram of porcini reached 40 euros at Zagreb markets, up from about 20 euros a year earlier. Scarce spots push foragers further from roads, and they guard those spots closely.
Klobuk, a mushroom-foraging app made in Croatia, aims to address both problems. Its find journal, Dnevnik nalaza, saves a find with one tap using the phone's GPS, with an optional photo, the forager's own name for the spot, and a note. No other forager can see the finds. Its "Vodi me" screen shows the distance and a compass arrow back to a saved find, to the parked car, or to the starting point, and works without mobile signal because it needs only GPS. The app is clear that this is a straight-line bearing, not a walking route: the path through the forest is still the forager's choice.
"Every forager knows the moment you step off the path for one more porcino and realise you are not sure where the car is. The way back should not depend on memory and luck, and helping you get back should not mean handing your spots to someone else. Klobuk only shows you the way back. You still pick the mushrooms, and you only eat the ones you are completely sure of," said a spokesperson for Klobuk.
The free version stores up to 15 finds without an account or ads; Klobuk Plus, at 11.99 euros a year, adds unlimited finds, a cloud copy stored in the EU, offline county maps, and rain alerts. Klobuk does not identify mushroom species and directs users to a determinator at a mycological society.
For readers, the app's offline navigation could be a useful safety tool, especially as scarce mushrooms push foragers into more remote areas. For the foraging industry, it offers a way to balance secrecy with safety. Klobuk's approach also underscores a broader lesson: technology can support, but not replace, preparation and caution. As one rescue case shows, a charged phone and an early call to 112 remain essential.
