Billy goat rescued from rock face after months
timeline
On Monday, mountain rescuers brought a billy goat that quickly got into vertical terrain from the Leoganger Steinberge (Pinzgau) into the valley. “Burli” is likely to have climbed after a herd of chamois on the 2,206 meter high Mitterhorn in June and spent the whole summer on a narrow strip of grass on the north face of the Mitterspitz.
The buck could not find the next descent from the sole vantage point, and it would have surely survived the coming winter up there. Months ago it was much easier when it climbed, because the scent of a chamois goat should have lured you up there. Burli’s route led through an approximately five meter high “chimney” – for people a climb of the second or third degree of difficulty (UIAA).
“He then stayed up there all summer alone,” says Hans Embacher, local branch manager of the Leogang mountain rescue service.
Several attempts failed
Many recreational athletes die on the following Leogang via ferrata north, and hikers at the nearby Passau hut of the German Alpine Club admired the lonely billy goat for his strong nerves. The bold man found enough grass in his narrow spot and obviously enjoyed the long summer freshness. In between, some helpers from a mountain farming milieu tried to rescue themselves, but failed due to technical difficulties and the necessary abseiling action including well-resilient safety points.
Mountain rescuer successful
Burli belongs to a farmer in the valley, and he ultimately asked the volunteer mountain rescue team in Leogang for help. On Monday, local office boss Embacher, mountain rescuer Gottfried Schöngassner and ÖBRD trainer Albert Herzog, who is a state-certified mountain and ski guide in his job, moved out. With combined forces and suitable equipment, they brought Burli back into the easier-to-walk world, which he put up with calmly. At the beginning, the four-legged friend was roped down through the climbing chimney.
New climbing route in honor of Burli
The goat in the wall had already motivated the local climbers Adi Stocker and Christoph Langreiter in the summer to open a new route near Burlis Grasband – the “Schwarze Goaß”. This first ascent in the fourth, sixth and lower seventh degree (UIAA) of classic rock climbing is quite difficult in the upper part for alpine “normal users” and is only recommended for experienced and well-trained people.
Despite the proximity to the Passauer Hütte, tour planning, high alpine protection from wind and weather and provisions in a small backpack are strongly recommended, according to the mountain rescuers.