Back in the 1990s, the Berghotel Schwarenbach near Kandersteg in the Swiss Alps was home to a rather unusual resident: Tomba, a black and white cat with a real spirit of adventure. Far from being content with napping by the fireside, this fearless feline loved to join hikers on their expeditions, climbing up to dizzying heights with baffling agility.
One day in 1990, a couple set off towards the Balmhorn, a mountain peak rising to over 11,800 feet (3,600 metres). To their sheer amazement, Tomba decided to tag along. He confidently led the way at the front, as if he knew the path by heart. For him, it was just a casual stroll; for the couple, it was the start of a day they would never forget.
When feline instinct defies the laws of nature
As they made their way along a snow-covered path, the cat's behaviour suddenly changed. The once-confident Tomba stopped dead in his tracks. He flatly refused to go any further, his body tensing up as he began to hiss towards a rock face. The puzzled hikers tried to soothe him, assuming it was just a passing mood.
But Tomba wouldn't budge. He stood his ground, blocking their path and urging them to change direction. Seeing his absolute determination, the couple decided to trust their four-legged guide's strange intuition. They took a detour, steering well clear of their original route.
A hero turned legend
Moments later, a low rumble echoed through the mountains. An avalanche swept down, hitting the exact spot where they should have been standing. Safe and sound, the couple watched the cascading snow in sheer terror and gratitude. That was when it hit them: Tomba had just saved their lives.
Word of the heroic cat's feat quickly spread across the globe. Tomba became a true local legend, with some even calling him the reincarnation of a mountain guide. His story was so popular that more than 10,000 postcards featuring his picture were printed, immortalising the memory of this incredibly brave little cat.