On Wednesday morning, Bård Johan Smestad and his friend went up Lisjetinden in Ørsta municipality in Møre og Romsdal.
The two are both experienced skiers and the conditions were perfect for a nice descent.
However, the trip did not turn out quite as they had imagined.
– I have skied a lot in the Sunnmør Alps, but I have never experienced anything like this here, says Smestad.
The case was first discussed by Møre-Nytt.
Saved two sheep and a lamb
After walking all the way up to the top of the mountain, they will begin the descent. When they have driven only a couple of hundred meters in height, Smestad spots something moving in the snow.
SKIER: Bård Johan Smestad is an experienced outdoorsman. Photo: Private
– It takes a few seconds before I realize that there are three sheep digging in the snow, he says to TV 2.
See the video from when the friends found the sheep further down in the article!
The friends are very surprised to meet two sheep and a lamb so high in the mountains at this time of year.
– We often see sheep on walks when there is no snow, but this was really surprising.
– Steep and lots of snow
They quickly realize that they have to do something to help.
– We were at an altitude of almost 900 metres, so after we had gathered a bit we realized that we had to find a way to get those sheep down.
STEEP: The red cross marks approximately where the skiers found the sheep. Photo: Private
There is close to 40 centimeters of loose snow in the mountains. After an attempt to chase the sheep down, the friends realize that they have to take more physical action.
– We ended up having to drag them down with us. There was a lot of steering, but luckily it was so steep that it wasn’t too heavy.
Well received
After getting a few hundred meters further down into the valley with the sheep, the friends made contact with the owner.
– He came and met us with a snowmobile so that the sheep returned home safely, says Smestad.
The owner of the sheep, Odd Bjarne Bjørndal, was surprised when the phone rang with the message that the sheep had been found.
– After the sheep herding last autumn, there were a few animals we couldn’t find. I searched and searched and finally ended up renting small planes to find the lost animals without success, he says and adds:
– It’s something I’ve thought about in the evenings when I’ve gone to bed. All farmers want all their animals back.
Watch the video from when the skiers saw the sheep and took them with them:
– In good shape
The sheep farmer is unsure where the animals have hidden, but points out that an extensive search has been made to find the sheep this autumn.
Now he is grateful to have recovered three of his missing animals.
– It’s unbelievable, but all three of them are safe – it doesn’t seem like they’ve suffered any distress, says Bjørdal.
He now says that they are safely back on the farm and are being well looked after.
– We look after them a lot and have a relationship with all our animals, so it was good to get them home again.
FAR: The sheep had to be transported a few hundred meters down the mountain by the two friends. Photo: Private
DEMANDING: Getting two sheep and a lamb down such a steep mountainside in loose snow, admits the experienced top tour rider, was a challenge. Photo: Private
HAD TO GO: For large parts of the trip down, they had to drag the sheep with them. Photo: Private
COVERED: The sheep were wading in loose snow when they were found. Photo: Private
SAFE HOME: The two sheep and the lamb are now safely back on Bjørdal’s farm. Photo: Private
– Forever grateful
The farmer Bjørdal invited Smestad and his friend to the farm afterwards, where they both received fennel loin and cured meat as thanks for their help.
– I am eternally grateful for the effort they made and for letting me know. They have done a great job.
Despite the fact that the descent did not go quite as planned, the friends are happy to have contributed.
– It was a bit bitter, but there are always new trips. We have been on a trip both yesterday and today.
– And no more sheep in sight?
– No, chuckles Smestad.
