7/29/2019 Husky Heaven

1/3

HUSKY HEAVEN

Report: Joe ClapsonPictures: Graeme Main

G

LIDING over glistening snow with a packof huskies at your feet and the Rocky

Mountains looming in the distance is surelyan experience that features high on many

peoples bucket list.Dog sledding is one of those pipe-dream scenarios

from the pages of travel magazines that most will neverget the chance to enjoy.

However, the mesmerising activity is undertakenby a significant number of military personnel who areposted to Canada during the winter and by the troopsown admission, the experience is helping to set theArmy apart from other employers.

All soldiers who step onto the wooden sleighs thisseason will be on a break from the winter rehabilitationprogramme at the British Army Training Unit Suffield(BATUS), where vehicles and equipment for Exercise

Prairie Thunder are being repaired.After 12-hour shifts fixing armoured vehicles and

electronic systems, a trip to Trails End Camp, theServices prized adventurous training centre, serves tobreak up the transatlantic deployment. >>

Troops traverseCanadas frozen lakes

with canine companions

7/29/2019 Husky Heaven

2/3

40 FEBRUARY 2013 www.soldiermagazine.co.uk

>> Joining troops on the frozen water ofAlbertas Spray Lakes, Soldiernevertheless foundthe experience to be a significantly challengingone for those taking part.

Dog sledding is not a bunch of lads havinga rest while being pulled around the snow,emphasised Maj Rab Black (RAPTC), officercommanding Trails End Camp.

It is one of the hardest activities goingbecause you may be operating in deep snow,often dragging a sled, and the dogs will not workfor you unless you build a rapport with them.

Those who sign up to the five-day adventureoperated by Russell Donalds Mad Dogs andEnglishmen company learn how to handle and carefor the canines as well as operatealongside them.

Working in temperaturesranging from 4 to -30 degreesCelsius, military personnel need tobe physically and mentally toughenough to endure expeditions ofup to 40km.

Its a steep learning curve forthe guys, explained Donald, aBritish ex-pat who set up home inthe outdoor haven more than 20years ago.

When you walk into a kennelwith 100 dogs barking at you it can be a dauntingexperience but this is about building confidenceand relationships.

Its the job of the guides and the guys to keepthe animals happy so working long days on steepterrain can take its toll on soldiers.

As soon as the howling dogs are unloaded fromtheir trucks and tied to reins they pull powerfullyon their leashes, showing they are ready to work.

Moving up icy hills and through snowstorms,

Servicemen and women must keep their wits aboutthem at all times.

The drivers have brakes and commands suchas easy at their disposal to slow down theirfour-legged companions or whoa to bring themto a complete halt.

The huskies just want to run and run, so ifa sleds brake is off it will keep moving straightahead, added Donald.

The lads need to keep an eye on the navigationand always be aware of the canines welfare.

Following his stint on the sought-after mini-expedition, Cfn Ross Meats (REME) said: Tothose troops who havent done it dog sleddingmight look like a jolly with a few days away from

BATUS but its actually hard workbecause you have to look after theanimals and all your kit.

You get up early in the morningand the dogs are all buzzing, whichis great to see, and then you get outon the lakes.

The engineer from 3 Close

Support Battalion, who is far moreused to working with AS90sthan animals, added: Wespent a couple of nights outin the Rockies camping,seeing the wildlife and

undertaking activities I would never get achance to do outside the Army.

Its something you certainly wouldnt beexperiencing in England a proper once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

In addition to racing along on sleds,those who are proficient on the ice can tryskijoring, an activity where troops are pulledalong by one or two dogs while balancing on

Nordic skis.

This is something that is offered in veryfew places in the world, the company founderproudly commented.

You need to be able to stand up otherwise thedogs will just shut down its great fun but hardwork at the same time.

Given the uniqueness of this exciting activity,coupled with the spectacular backdrop itsparticipants enjoy, the winter experience isunderstandably a very popular one among ArmedForces personnel.

But Maj Black admitted the package is underthe same spotlight as other non-operationalareas of the Services not least because it isone of the most expensive pursuits that the BritishArmy funds.

However, he is a firm advocate of the value ofThe lads needto keep aneye on thenavigationand alwaysbe aware ofthe canineswelfare

7/29/2019 Husky Heaven

3/3

www.soldiermagazine.co.uk FEBRUARY 2013 41

Mushers on the move: Teamsof huskies pull sleds carryingtroops and civilian instructorsacross the frozen Spray Lakesin Alberta, Canada

the unique pursuit.This is something most people in the world

will never do and soldiers get to experience theuncertainty of not knowing how they will interactwith the animals, the officer said.

Personnel wake up in -20 degree conditionsto look after a rowdy pack and that in itself is aconsiderable challenge.

When it comes to finding an activity thatpushes staff to their limits in an awe-inspiringenvironment, most employers would struggle tobeat dog sledding.

Providing fun and promoting commitment toQueen and country, the British Army is also usingthis pastime to equip troops with the skill andstamina necessary to handle the most unforgivingof environments. I