Monthly Archives: November 2020

Winter Boots and Crampons a few thoughts Some advice from Scottish Mountaineering website.

Posted on November 30, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

I wore my winter boots the other day on the Cairngorms. They are a bit heavier but they allow me to walk across hard snow with care. I had my crampons and axe with me as well as the Cairngorm … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Equipment, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

Early start for Ben MacDui rewarded by a stunning day.

Posted on November 29, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

It’s been a hard week with losing Hamish MacInnes and a few other things going on. I looked at the forecast it was good for the Cairngorms. I decided to have a very early start and head for my local … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Munros, People, SAR, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Scotland Out of Doors BBC Scotland podcast – link on Hamish MacInnes.

Posted on November 29, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

From Neil Reid “Mountaineering Scotland CEO Stuart Younie spoke well about the late mountaineering legend Hamish MacInnes on BBC Radio Scotland’s Out of Doors programme this morning, with a later contribution by David ‘Heavy’ Whalley, who knew Hamish as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Friends, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

This is the anniversary of my Mother’s passing.

Posted on November 28, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

It’s been a difficult period just now for many. This is the month when my Mum passed away many years ago. What would my Mum be thinking of today as we are in the midst of this virus? She would … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, medical, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, PTSD, Well being | 7 Comments

Sharing a few comments from so many on Hamish MacInnes.

Posted on November 25, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

I wrote a piece on the death of Hamish MacInnes at the age of 90. I was amazed by some of the lovely stories that came back many via Facebook and other media. I have put them together so that … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Friends, Himalayas/ Everest, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Views Mountaineering, Well being, Wildlife | 2 Comments

“The Fox of Glencoe” Hamish MacInnes RIP

Posted on November 23, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

The sad but not unexpected sad news that Hamish had passed away yesterday. There will be much written by many in the Mountaineering world who climbed with Hamish over the years. His exploits are legendary and so impressive. Hamish climbed … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Equipment, Expeditions - Alaska - Himalayas etc, Friends, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Well being | 10 Comments

Special days – Glen Strathfarrar. “In the Highlands it is mountain after mountain after mountain, for ever and ever.” Thomas Wilkinson

Posted on November 22, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

I was digitalising a few slides and found this. It was taken in the late 90’s after a climb. Myself and my pal Dougie Crawford were climbing in Glen Strathfarrar a wonderful Glen in a unique location. Its a haven … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Hill running and huge days!, Mountaineering, People, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Loch Ness Wellington aircraft 2020.

Posted on November 21, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

On New Years Eve in 1940 a training flight went horribly wrong when a Wellington Bomber N2980 suffered engine failure and plunged into Loch Ness. Most of the crew was ordered to bail out, leaving the Captain and a second pilot … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Articles, Family, Friends, Mountaineering, Well being | 2 Comments

A bit more on Dogs on the hills.

Posted on November 20, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

Just remember that when taking your dog out in winter is not the same as a walk in the local fields. Some great tips here in the article above. I was out yesterday with Islay my friends wee Collie she … Continue reading →

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Message from Highland & Island Police Division. A few thoughts on winter mountaineering.

Posted on November 18, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

It’s great to see so many on the hills since Covid but please be aware with the short daylight and winter the days of rushing round the Munro’s and other hills are restricted by daylight weather and your hill competence. … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Munros, Other hills Grahams & Donalds, People, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | 3 Comments