Monthly Archives: September 2022

We have an answer to where photo is.

Posted on September 28, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

For many years this wee handbook was a classic for ice climbers The front page was thought by many to be a route called the Chancer. I put it out and got a few different ideas one from a guru … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Mountaineering, Scottish winter climbing. | Leave a comment

When your young your think invincible ? Or are you?

Posted on September 27, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

Sorry for the lack of blogs I have not been feeling great. Recently I have been off the hill for a few months. I have had a constant cough for years but it was getting very bad over the last … Continue reading →

Posted in Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Views Mountaineering, Well being | 2 Comments

A few thoughts on working with the Media over the years in Mountain Rescue.

Posted on September 21, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

How things have changed from my early days when we rarely spoke to the media. It was a different era then. Most Mountain Rescue teams and SARDA did the job and that was that. Nowadays news is instant and you … Continue reading →

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Interesting call-out. USA USA F111 crash – Lauder. 28 July 1987 – . We had no Communications so the American Airforcec moved a satellite and gave us an early Satellite phone.

Posted on September 20, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

I think this was One of my first aircraft call outs as Team Leader of RAF Leuchars MRT – sadly both crew were killed. We had no communications and when the Americans investigation team arrived not long after the crash … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Articles, Equipment, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Well being | 3 Comments

Winter Tips/ learning 2022. “Caught out in the fading light“ a slip that could have been a lot more serious on a short walk in the Cairngorms.

Posted on September 17, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

This will be a series of blogs on some of my adventures/ mistakes made in the mountains. Sadly no hills for a while due to Health problems and awaiting various results. Many will be glad to hear I lose my … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Enviroment, Friends, Health, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | Leave a comment

A breakthrough booklet in its day. Modern Snow & Ice Techniques by Bill March printed 1973 ! What route is on the front cover?

Posted on September 15, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

An old pal dropped some books of for me the wee booklet was one of them it brought back many memories. Some of them like the french names Piolet Canne and Piolet Ramp for using the axe are still baffling … Continue reading →

Posted in Ice climbing Canada, Mountaineering, Recomended books and Guides, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering | 7 Comments

Book Review “Towards the Ogre “

Posted on September 13, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

This is a review by a friend Adrian Trednall many thanks . Towards The Ogre by Clive Rowland Luck plays a part in everyone’s lives. It was totally by chance that I received a copy of “Towards The Ogre.” I’d … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Expeditions - Alaska - Himalayas etc, Friends, Himalayas/ Everest, Mountaineering, Recomended books and Guides, Well being | Leave a comment

A bit of travelling over to the West.

Posted on September 11, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

It’s been a busy few days over on the West visiting my friend Kalie and Islay. The weather was magnificent and we had two days of perfect weather. I got a good walk with Islay from Applecross to Sand and … Continue reading →

Posted in Enviroment, Friends, History, Local area and events to see, Mountaineering, People, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Working with Hong Kong lads – Civil Aid Service (CAS) a blast from the past.

Posted on September 6, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

The Civil Aid Service(CAS) is a civil organisation that assists in a variety of auxiliary emergency roles, including search and rescue operations in Hong Kong. CAS is funded by the Hong Kong Government and its members wear uniforms. CAS was … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Friends, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Views Political?, Well being | 2 Comments

A Mountaineers view of the Falklands in Winter.

Posted on September 5, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

MOUNTAINEER’S VIEW OF THE FALKLANDS By David “Heavy” Whalley, MBE I was privileged to spend two tours in the Falklands when I was in the RAF. It is a wonderful place for wildlife and mountains. Most of the popular peaks … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Falklands Islands, Mountaineering, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | 5 Comments