First of all SARDA is the Search and Rescue Dogs Association (voluntary service called out to assist Mountain Rescue and the Police)
Secondly a body is just that.
Here is a day in the life of a body:
After a good sleep, despite some random rhythmic snoring which I found actually quite dainty and relaxing!, all dog handlers and bodies were up and about organising packed lunches for their day ahead on the hill and ensuring breakfast was had.
The weather was looking promising so I stuck on a base layer, t shirt and lightweight jacket along with shorts and heavier walking trousers on the bottom half. Thick socks, summer boots and gaiters also ready for action this sunny but slightly windy morning.
We were all ready to depart about 9am from Kincraig village hall where we had slept last night on our mats and camp beds.
A short drive later we arrived at Cairngorm Ski Centre where we had a quick team photo and ensured all our radios were fully charged and on the SARDA channel.
Two assessors and 2 bodies headed off into each area. The assessors set the boundaries for their area and decide where is best for the bodies to hide on the hillside. The boundaries and hiding places are based on the terrain, wind speed and direction and weather.
Being a body I set off into the area to my designated spot. The ground was very uneven with large clumps of heather and many pools of water.
I carry a roll mat, bivi bag, sleeping bag, food and drink and my personal first aid kit in my large rucksack along with my walking poles to help me over the tough terrain.
When I reached my destination I unrolled my mat, used my rucksack as a pillow, ditched my base layer and jacket and proceeded to cover myself in midge repellent!
Beautiful day for lying in a t-shirt on the stunning hillside!
I didn’t have long to take in the view before the first dog in to my area had located me.
Jib with handler Brian.
Jib enjoys tug of war and fetch so we played both on the hillside for a while before she headed off to find her next body.
Now was my chance to spin my mat round and reposition slightly to face the beaming sunshine!
Within twenty minutes the next dog was in to me. Kaniq with his handler Angus.
Kaniq also enjoys both tug of war and fetch. After several games of each with Angus and I he headed off to locate the next body in my area.
With a longer break in between dogs coming into my area (can hear on the radio who’s coming in next) I took in the scenery, did a bit of sunbathing and had a bite to eat.
I heard the faint sound of bells coming bounding in.. Glash appeared, then disappeared, he was shuttling back and forth from his handler Paul.
Anytime I get a photo of Glash coming into to find me he looks really mean and vicious but really he’s very playful and is excited to get his toy as a reward for finding bodies.
All handlers carry their own dog’s special toy into each area. They range from small and large kongs to plastic donuts and rubber chickens!
Glash has a large kong which was now totally covered in slevers. We played many games before he headed off to find Kate (the other body in my area).
Next up is a pup in training called Corrie. I’ve been instructed to fully wind him up to bark loads when he finds me. Mission accepted!
Corrie came racing towards me, jumping all over me barking his head off, hardly needed wound up! He’s a cheeky wee dog, full of beans. It was quite an energetic play time. His handler Mike has had search dogs before. Corrie is his fourth. Mike was telling me this was Corrie’s first blind area to search. I feel privileged.
At puppy school the training consists of the pup watching the body run away squeaking their favourite toy so when let loose they chase down the body for their toy and are rewarded with play time. It develops onto larger areas and hidden dips within the areas. After that the body is fully hidden so it turns into a game of hide and seek.
The breeze dropped so the sun was super warm and the midges were swarming around. Luckily they don’t like me that much!
Next up was Bodie with handler Kate who have both recently passed their Novice Dog Assessment. Kate is a Ski Patroller at Glenshee and Bodie joins her everyday at work and is now on hand to assist if need be.
Bodie wasn’t really herself today, possibly because of the heat or due to her recent tablets she seemed to be uninterested despite my best efforts of winding her up!
They headed off the hill and I took a quick comfort break. I was getting to the stage where I’d wished there was sun cream in my bag! Normally we have snow and chilly winds when we visit the Cairngorms!
Next in was Glen with handler Innes. Glen has a new brightly coloured rope toy to play with. Glen and I played tug of war with him winning everytime! A quick drink and they were off to find Kate.
Oops must have dozed off in the heat! Woke up to Walter, a beautiful and well natured German shepherd, peering over me! His handler Tony soon appeared with Walter’s toy.
Nothing too energetic for Walter as he looked rather warm and when play time finished he went straight into a pool of water nearby.
Next in was Beck, a beautiful black faced collie with loads of energy. Her handler Fiona before saying hi suggested I get some sun cream on! I had white stripes where my sunglasses were sitting! Beck had a good loud bark whilst playing with her toy and she also finished with a quick dip in the local pool!
A couple of sandwiches later and Felix was in to see me. With lots of energy he played happily with his owner Alison whilst I smothered myself with the factor 50 that was kindly sent in for me!
Next in for a flying visit was Jess with handler Phil. Jess was lots of fun and energetic. I managed to throw her wee kong into a pool of wet mud so it was swiftly thrown into the pool of water after that!
The time is 4.15pm and there’s not many dogs left to visit me today.
Ha.. just realised my big radio has a flat battery so don’t have a clue what’s going on now! Just sitting tight for the next dog and handler to appear.
Thought they’d all gone home without me as I couldn’t see anyone in the other two areas, however just then Torrin, a massive half German shepherd half golden retriever came bounding in licking all the sun cream off my face! Followed shortly afterwards by his handler Alasdair. Alasdair helped me to pack up as I threw Torrin’s ball on a rope about the hillside.
It was time to head off the hill back to the carpark.
The rest of the evening will be spent eating, drinking and blethering, most likely in the local pub along the road from the village hall, so not much of a story from here on!
I honestly can’t remember the last SARDA weekend where I could lie out on top of my bivi bag catching some rays (and potentially getting sun burnt!!).
Over and out!
Body Snuz
You can follow my SARDA pictures on Instagram @bodysnuz
Snuz's Adventures 