Monthly Archives: March 2017

Personal locator beacons a bit more information. 2019

Posted on March 31, 2017 by heavywhalley.MBE

Yesterday there was a big call out in the Cairngorms where a Beacon was used to summon help. The Teams did a magnificent job in the wildest of weather to get to the casualty. He had according to radio Scotland … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Equipment, Expeditions - Alaska - Himalayas etc, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Views Mountaineering, Weather | 3 Comments

Beacons in the Outdoors a good article by Mountaineering Council Of Scotland and a Video by Lyle Brotherton.

Posted on March 31, 2017 by heavywhalley.MBE

I am often asked about the use of Personal Locator Beacons in the Outdoors and I am no “techy geek” but have seen them about and done simple trials on them in the past in my RAF Mountain Rescue Days.(Always…

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Don Siddons B.E.M RAF Mountain Rescue Kinloss MRT and the Firefly aircraft crash on Lochnagar in 1949.

Posted on March 30, 2017 by heavywhalley.MBE

This old press cutting sent to me by a pal Dave W Earl is a grand tribute to the RAF Kinloss Mountain Rescue Team Leader Don Siddons I would imagine it was printed in the Press and Journal a year … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Enviroment, Equipment, Gear, Lectures, Mountain rescue, SAR, Views Mountaineering, Weather | 4 Comments

Some memories. Working with the Air Investigation Branch (AIB) The Wessex Helicopter crash on Ben More and St Abbs Head Jaguar.

Posted on March 28, 2017 by heavywhalley.MBE

  The photo above shows a part that few realise happens when the recovery of casualties is over after an aircraft crash then the Air Investigation Branch (AIB) investigate the crash site for clues to why the aircraft crashed. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Views Political? | Leave a comment

Creag Mhor a grand hill in the heart of the Cairngorms ! A day of bikes,sunshine, scenery, scramble great views and new walking stick .

Posted on March 27, 2017 by heavywhalley.MBE

My friend Bab’s was after a day on the hill and a new Corbett if possible the forecast was incredible with even  advice on the effect of the sun and sunburn! The East was best so we headed forour local … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Bothies, Corbetts, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Munros, Other hills Grahams & Donalds, Poems, Weather, Wildlife | 2 Comments

Mothers Day – Give your Mum a huge hug today.

Posted on March 26, 2017 by heavywhalley.MBE

It has been many years since I lost my Mother, she died of Leukaemia an awful disease in 1980 which she kept away from most of the family, as she did not want to worry us. That was typical of her … Continue reading →

Posted in Family | 2 Comments

Off to the Hills – beware of sunburn in the Cairngorms. Heading out to the Corbett Creag Mhor .

Posted on March 25, 2017 by heavywhalley.MBE

You do not often get a forecast like this – EFFECT OF WIND ON YOU? –  Small. HOW WET? – No rain CLOUD ON THE HILLS? – Not expected CHANCE OF CLOUD FREE MUNROS? – Almost certain SUNSHINE AND AIR CLARITY? – … Continue reading →

Posted in Corbetts, Mountain Biking, Weather | Leave a comment

Fun day in the Roseille forest with Burghead primary school and Outfitmoray! Moray Mountaineering Club AGM a slide show -Hills on Horseback / General Wades Roads: 

Posted on March 24, 2017 by heavywhalley.MBE

Yesterday it was a busy morning helping Outfitmoray a local charity that I am the patron of with their Active Schools day at my local Burghead primary school. http://outfitmoray.com/wp-content/themes/Avada/assets/js/html5shiv.js Outfit Moray Outdoor Adventure Activities Charity Lossiemouth Changing Lives Through Learning … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment, Friends, Gear, Lectures, Local area and events to see, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Munros, Views Mountaineering, Weather | Leave a comment

Achnacarry and Loch Arkaig a kind keeper can you help identify this photo? Donald Cameron Keeper at Achnacarry.

Posted on March 23, 2017 by heavywhalley.MBE

Maybe Achnacarry Glendessary can you identify the keeper?   From my sister “this photo around 1935-6. Dad was student minister missionary at Achnacary, friends with Donald Cameron head keeper on estate .Used to send Dad venison by post , it was … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Friends | 7 Comments

Am  I a wind coward or just getting old?

Posted on March 22, 2017 by heavywhalley.MBE

I always look at the weather forecast and the wind speeds, the forecast is a guide so when I arrive in an area I keep my options open. I spent 40 years many times out in weather where only the … Continue reading →

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