Monthly Archives: October 2020

Beinn Bhan 896 metres route from Beleach Na Ba. A day snatched before the weather breaks.

Posted on October 31, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

It was an early start to meet my pal Kalie in Applecross before the forecast weekend storm broke. I had looked at a route and though the forecast was poor I thought we could see what the weather was like … Continue reading →

Posted in Corbetts and other hills, Enviroment, Equipment, Friends, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, Scottish winter climbing., Weather, Well being, Wildlife | 2 Comments

Missing hill runner Glen Lyon.

Posted on October 29, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

Message from Tayside Police Division: MISSING MAN – CHRIS SMITH – GLENLYON Officers in Perthshire are today continuing their searches in the Glenlyon area for missing 43-year-old man Chris Smith. The searches have entered their third day, after Chris was … Continue reading →

Posted in mountain safety, Mountaineering, Munros, People | 3 Comments

Taking your Dog on the hill! Please read this.

Posted on October 27, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

These last couple of years have seen a distressing number of dogs lost in the hills. Mountaineering Scotland now has a new page in our section on taking dogs to the hills, with information on how not to lose your … Continue reading →

Posted in Charity, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Views Mountaineering | 4 Comments

How much does a photo bring back memories? The remote Coire a’ Granda Beinn Dearg. The healing power of the wild places to help your well being.

Posted on October 26, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

The photo above was taken after my second operation when I was pretty ill a few years ago 2017. As I recovered slowly by walking round my stunning Moray coast they were just not enough for me. I needed to … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Enviroment, Equipment, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Every photo tells a story. Friendships forged in the mountains.

Posted on October 25, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

Al died whilst soling on the the North Face of the Matterhorn a few years later. It was one of the hardest periods of my life getting him home. I have lost a good few pals in the mountains it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Expeditions - Alaska - Himalayas etc, Family, Friends, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, SAR, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Well being | 3 Comments

Falling leader – the leader must not fall?

Posted on October 23, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

In the old days there was a saying “ the leader must not fall” These were the days before good protection in winter and summer climbing . In these very early days gear was poor and climbers were very bold. … Continue reading →

Posted in Friends, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering | 6 Comments

Coire Lair a wander and some thoughts on the wonderful Stalking paths.

Posted on October 23, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

We had an Autumnal walk up to Coire Lair through mist covered mountains yesterday. It had been very heavy rain for a few days and the Coire has a interesting river crossing and some of the best stalking paths in … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Corbetts, Corbetts and other hills, Cycling, Friends, Gear, Mountain Biking, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, Plants, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | 2 Comments

The Zardsky sac a bit more gen ? A few tips on early winter Mountaineering gear to carry !

Posted on October 22, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

Following my blog on bothy bags yesterday I received this from Mike Parsons: “The very first bothy bag was called the KISU, Karrimor Instructor Survival Unit, KISU. and made by Karrimor, my company at the time. Here is a link … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Avalanche info, Enviroment, Equipment, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Munros, People, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | 2 Comments

Great gear – the Bothy bag !

Posted on October 21, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

Group Shelters – We we’re lucky in the RAF that we had access to various trades within the Mountain Rescue Team. Our group shelters were made originally by our Safety Equipment Section of bright orange nylon. We went through a … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Enviroment, Equipment, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment

Whats your best piece of kit from the past?

Posted on October 19, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

Things have moved on since my early days on the hills. The clothing and footwear has improved beyond belief. Gone are the “hairy breeks” that many wore. How proud was I that I got a pair then at last I … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Bothies, Equipment, Gear, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Well being | 2 Comments