Press release

August 5, 2026, No. 122

Prepper camp in the Karwendel Nature Reserve Removed and Disposed Of

The Bundeswehr's 230th Mounted Animal Operations and Training Center and the District Administration Office Are Cooperating

Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen District. It was a discovery made by a hunter in the summer of 2025 in the Karwendel Nature Reserve that led to an unusual event during the Bundeswehr’s endurance march last week. The hunter had found a “prepper” cache—nine blue barrels containing food, clothing, batteries, and other everyday items—which he reported to the local nature conservation authority at the Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen District Office. The problem with disposal: The barrels were located in rough terrain, inaccessible to vehicles and too heavy to be carried long distances on foot.

The Bundeswehr’s endurance march during the last week of July provided an opportunity to recover the barrels from the rough terrain with the help of the 230th Pack Animal Operations and Training Center at the Bad Reichenhall base. Benedikt Pfaller, deputy head of the Environment Division and organizer at the district administration office, expressly thanked them for their smooth cooperation: “Their professional effort, as well as the technical and ‘animal’ support, were invaluable to the success of this challenging project. Without the help of the German Armed Forces, this operation could not have been carried out with the same quality and efficiency.” Approximately 40 soldiers and 25 animals—primarily mules, but also three Haflinger horses and a donkey—were involved, in part for training purposes.

During the forced march, the barrels and other loose items were transported down a steep slope using a rope pulley and backpacks, and then loaded onto the mules.

With the help of the animals, the soldiers and county office employees hauled the trash about four kilometers to a passable dirt road, from where it was then transported by a small van to the waste disposal center in Greiling and properly disposed of. The barrels were filled with items including food—some of which had expired as early as 2014—medications, batteries, clothing, a sleeping bag, dog food, a tent, and a camp bed.

It is not known who placed or stored the barrels in the nature reserve. The Lower Nature Conservation Authority is accepting tips at umwelt@lra-toelz.de.

Marlis Peischer
Press Officer / Head of the Press Office
Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen District Office