Monthly Archives: February 2022

Soloing a personal view.

Posted on February 28, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

Solo climbing, or soloing, is a style of climbing in which the climber climbs alone, without the assistance of another person belaying. It is generally done on higher walls than bouldering. There are several ways to climb solo: Roped solo … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Well being | 2 Comments

Classic ridges / The South Clunnie Kintail including the Saddle and Sgurr Na Sgine.

Posted on February 27, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

One of the most enjoyable days summer and winter is the South Clunnie at Kintail. It’s a great day and after you leave your car and are on the ridge the walking is superb. It was always a classic day … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Munros, SMC/SMT, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | 3 Comments

Sad days for Ukraine. Please take a few minutes to think of them.

Posted on February 26, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

I daily hear folk moaning about the cost of fuel food and many other things . Yet there are no bombs dropping on our homes. The news abroad is awful with a full scale war going on in Ukraine. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Expeditions - Alaska - Himalayas etc, Views Political?, Well being | Leave a comment

Early days attempts on Point 5 Ben Nevis – A great line from the Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal May 1959.

Posted on February 24, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

Point 5 Ben Nevis. Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Enviroment, Ice climbing Canada, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Recomended books and Guides, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment

Crampons – some thoughts.

Posted on February 23, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

My first time in crampons was in Feb 1972 it was on a remote Munro from Iron Lodge near Kintail. Mullach na Dheregain . I was with another team member from Kinloss he was supposed to be looking after me … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Friends, Gear, Ice climbing Canada, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Munros, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering | 5 Comments

Chasing the Moon on Beinn Dearg.

Posted on February 22, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

It was December 1996 and the RAF Kinloss MRT had been staying at Ullapool Youth Hostel for the weekend. There had been heavy snow for a few days. Any plans for getting in an early winter climb were abandoned. Beinn … Continue reading →

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

Winter Skills – Day 2 Cairngorms a complete change in weather.

Posted on February 21, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

It was a bit hard getting the body going yesterday. Up for a good breakfast “porridge” and head for the Cairngorms. I had to be there for 0900 so I left early top tip as I was unsure of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Avalanche info, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Munros, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | 2 Comments

A few thoughts on the Walk Highlands article by David Lintern.

Posted on February 18, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

I was very happy to see this article published after my interview last week with David Lintren. It cane out the same day as an interview podcast with the author John Burns. I hope I do not come across as … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Enviroment, Equipment, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Recomended books and Guides, Views Mountaineering, Views Political?, Weather, Well being | 6 Comments

A chat with John Burns author of Bothy Tales, the Last Hillwalker and Sky Dance.

Posted on February 17, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

I did a podcast yesterday with the author John Burns see link above . Comments welcome. Johns books are well worth a read see below. Bothy Tales Bothy Tales is the perfect companion for The Last Hillwalker. In this collection … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Munros, People, Recomended books and Guides, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Weather, Well being | 1 Comment

Munro Dog completers Canine Completers – Anne Butler – “the Munro Guru”. The Munro Society.

Posted on February 15, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

Canine Completers In the 120 years since Rev. A.E Robertson became the first person to complete a round of Munros, over 7000 people have registered their completions on the Scottish Mountaineering Club’s official list of Munroists. However, not all completers … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Mountaineering, Munros, SMC/SMT | Leave a comment