In early December 2023, Curry, Grazer, Goatie McGoatface, Goatie Hawn, and Billy Goat Bluff became national celebrities. The goats had been stranded on a ledge on the East Brow of Signal Mountain. How the goats got there is a mystery. After Walden residents alerted authorities that the goats were trapped, Walden’s Ridge Emergency Service led a team that rescued four of the five goats. Although WRES primarily focuses on human emergencies, its members recognized the urgency of this unique situation and acted.
Climbing gear and ropes were used to rappel down the steep ledge. The team, including Hamilton County Rescue Service and Sparta White County Rescue Squad, used harnesses to raise the goats back up to the top and then wrangled them into an awaiting animal trailer.
Three of the goats were taken to a nearby farm. One had a broken leg and was transported to a veterinarian. The fifth goat, Goatie McGoatface, found his way off the ledge and became a local celebrity, eating apples and other vegetables provided by locals while avoiding capture.
National and regional news media outlets covered the story, including photos and drone videos of the rope rescue team in action, dangling off the cliff with goats in tow. Today, many in the Chattanooga area remember the event. But the story does not end there.
Recently, longtime Nolan Elementary School teacher Becky Leary recalled the goat rescue in “Invaders on Walden’s Ridge.” Inspired by social media posts from Walden resident Cathy Pierce, who also named the goats, the book is benefitting WRES. Leary, now retired from 28 years of teaching, wrote the account to appeal to both adults and children, providing lessons to be learned through human interactions with the goats.
“Cathy was posting on social media about the ‘invaders,’ giving them the humorous names and [detailing] the how the community was coming together,” Leary says. “At the same time, I realized that while the topography of the area is amazing, it is also dangerous. So, when WRES performed the rescue, I thought what better way to call attention and support our local first responders?”
A paperback version of “Invaders on Walden’s Ridge” is available on Amazon for $14.99 and on Kindle for $9.99. “The book was always intended to be a fundraiser for WRES. It was the right thing to do,” Leary says.
WRES Deputy Chief Jim Gault says, “We appreciate Ms. Leary’s contribution to WRES and the work she put into the book. We depend on the support from the community so our 50 members can effectively respond to emergencies, including fires, medical incidents and rope rescues.”
As an all-volunteer organization, WRES relies on donations to maintain its operations, which include funding for vehicles, training, and essential resources that keep our community safe. While WRES receives some funding from Hamilton County and the Town of Walden, private contributions are crucial for sustaining its services.
Get Involved
To get medical help or report an emergency, call 911. It is always the fastest way to get first responders to the site for immediate help.
To volunteer or donate to WRES call (423) 886-5974, visit www.WRES.org or send a message on Facebook. Visit WRES Station One on Taft Highway any Thursday at 6:30 p.m. when the team has its weekly drill.
WRES is a 501(c)(3) taxexempt organization and tax-deductible donations help save millions in local taxes.
by WRES Volunteer Staff
Climbing gear and ropes were used to rappel down the steep ledge. The team, including Hamilton County Rescue Service and Sparta White County Rescue Squad, used harnesses to raise the goats back up to the top and then wrangled them into an awaiting animal trailer.
Three of the goats were taken to a nearby farm. One had a broken leg and was transported to a veterinarian. The fifth goat, Goatie McGoatface, found his way off the ledge and became a local celebrity, eating apples and other vegetables provided by locals while avoiding capture.
National and regional news media outlets covered the story, including photos and drone videos of the rope rescue team in action, dangling off the cliff with goats in tow. Today, many in the Chattanooga area remember the event. But the story does not end there.
Recently, longtime Nolan Elementary School teacher Becky Leary recalled the goat rescue in “Invaders on Walden’s Ridge.” Inspired by social media posts from Walden resident Cathy Pierce, who also named the goats, the book is benefitting WRES. Leary, now retired from 28 years of teaching, wrote the account to appeal to both adults and children, providing lessons to be learned through human interactions with the goats.
“Cathy was posting on social media about the ‘invaders,’ giving them the humorous names and [detailing] the how the community was coming together,” Leary says. “At the same time, I realized that while the topography of the area is amazing, it is also dangerous. So, when WRES performed the rescue, I thought what better way to call attention and support our local first responders?”
A paperback version of “Invaders on Walden’s Ridge” is available on Amazon for $14.99 and on Kindle for $9.99. “The book was always intended to be a fundraiser for WRES. It was the right thing to do,” Leary says.
WRES Deputy Chief Jim Gault says, “We appreciate Ms. Leary’s contribution to WRES and the work she put into the book. We depend on the support from the community so our 50 members can effectively respond to emergencies, including fires, medical incidents and rope rescues.”
As an all-volunteer organization, WRES relies on donations to maintain its operations, which include funding for vehicles, training, and essential resources that keep our community safe. While WRES receives some funding from Hamilton County and the Town of Walden, private contributions are crucial for sustaining its services.
Get Involved
To get medical help or report an emergency, call 911. It is always the fastest way to get first responders to the site for immediate help.
To volunteer or donate to WRES call (423) 886-5974, visit www.WRES.org or send a message on Facebook. Visit WRES Station One on Taft Highway any Thursday at 6:30 p.m. when the team has its weekly drill.
WRES is a 501(c)(3) taxexempt organization and tax-deductible donations help save millions in local taxes.
by WRES Volunteer Staff
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