Monthly Archives: October 2016

A great journey home from Mallaig – superb views but no hills and rubbish left by fly tippers.

Posted on October 31, 2016 by heavywhalley.MBE

I was up early even after the extra hours as the clocks went back and had a super breakfast in the West Highland Hotel and great company after my Coastguard lecture in Mallaig. I had hoped to get two new … Continue reading →

Posted in Corbetts, Enviroment, Lectures, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Views Mountaineering, Weather | Leave a comment

An interesting day with the West Coast Coastguards at Mallaig.

Posted on October 30, 2016 by heavywhalley.MBE

Yesterday was an enjoyable day and I spent the morning travelling to Mallaig on the West Coast to speak to a group of Coastguards from many of the Islands and Fort William . It was a long 3 hour drive … Continue reading →

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A wonderful painting of Beinn Eighe and the story behind it for RAF MRT.

Posted on October 27, 2016 by heavywhalley.MBE

The photo above is of a wonderful painting by Pat O Donovan who was a member of RAF Mountain Rescue and I am sure painted this for the RAF Kinloss Team for one of their anniversaries. I have a bit … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Articles, Books, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering | Leave a comment

Thanks for all the comments on PTSD and Mental illness ! 

Posted on October 25, 2016 by heavywhalley.MBE

Thank you for the supportive comments on yesterday’s blog. I did it as a former colleague contacted me as he realised that after over 20 years he was suffering from PTSD. It was good to see the response and I … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Family, Friends, Lockerbie, medical, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, PTSD | 2 Comments

Great bothies and Memories.

Posted on October 24, 2016 by heavywhalley.MBE

It’s great when you find an old photo that sirs the memories like the one above of wonderful bothy days and night with great pals. Mark in the photo is no longer with us killed on Lochnagar many years ago … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska, Books, Bothies, Expeditions - Alaska - Himalayas etc, Family, Friends, Gear, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Recomended books and Guides, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather | Leave a comment

Looking after each other and dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and mental Illness! 

Posted on October 22, 2016 by heavywhalley.MBE

Many will know that I suffered from PTSD after Lockerbie in 1988 and at times it still effects me! I have written about it many times in my Blog and regularly hear from so many who suffer from it. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Articles, Books, Charity, Family, Friends, Lockerbie, Mountain rescue, PTSD, Recomended books and Guides, SAR, Views Mountaineering | 15 Comments

Sunshine in the Cairngorms in more ways than one?

Posted on October 21, 2016 by heavywhalley.MBE

Yesterday was a special day in the Cairngorms not just because of the weather or because of the chance of wonderful day on the hills. I was with a pal Susan who a year ago this month was diagnosed with … Continue reading →

Posted in Bothies, Enviroment, Family, Friends, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Munros, Weather | Leave a comment

Looking forward to a walk with friends today!

Posted on October 20, 2016 by heavywhalley.MBE

Going for a wander today with a pal in the Cairngorms forecast is good and they just want a short walk. Looking forward to these hills before the big snows come along with all the people? The photo above is … Continue reading →

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A fall of snow on the Cairngorms – a few points of enjoying the winter.

Posted on October 19, 2016 by heavywhalley.MBE

    I heard yesterday that snow fell on the Cairngorms and maybe this is the start of a long winter. I am off on Thursday to the Cairngorms so I will see for myself. The forecast is very good … Continue reading →

Posted in Enviroment, Equipment, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Views Mountaineering, Weather | 2 Comments

A must-see for anyone with an interest in Scottish mountaineering and mountain rescue. Various talks by Ian Spike Sykes.

Posted on October 18, 2016 by heavywhalley.MBE

IAN ‘SPIKE’ SYKES –  TRANSITION EXTREME    Aberdeen   Thursday    27th October 7pm   IAN ‘SPIKE’ SYKES – ONETOUCH THEATRE  Inverness 31 Oct 2016 at 1930  As a young man Ian was posted to RAF Kinloss Mountain Rescue Team where he was … Continue reading →

Posted in Lectures, Local area and events to see, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Scottish winter climbing. | Leave a comment