Monthly Archives: December 2022

Happy New year. Stay, happy, healthy and look after others. A look back and Forward!

Posted on December 31, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

It’s been a hard year for many but the great thing is there are so many great folk out there. Who would believe we would have a war in Ukraine, food banks and the political unrest in the Uk. Yet … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Bothies, Corbetts, Enviroment, Islands, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Munros, People, Views Mountaineering, Well being, Wildlife | 4 Comments

A classic house Inverailort Castle – and the Shackleton crash on 21 December 1967.

Posted on December 29, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

There was a piece on Facebook with a picture of Inverailort castle in poor repair. The military had a long history of use during the war. I am sure it was featured on the television on Secret Scotland ? The … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Bothies, Friends, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Well being | 3 Comments

Clothes maketh not the man or woman.

Posted on December 28, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

I got asked on a few occasions when asked what was the Corporate issue to the RAF Mountain Rescue Teams. This was from a few filmmakers who were reacting a few Call-outs. They were amazed that most folk wore their … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment, Gear, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Recomended books and Guides, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

A few tips for the older climber. Hopefully to help extend your hill days and well being.

Posted on December 27, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

Many older climbers struggle with getting older. We miss the mountains as Health issues hit some of us. I have been very lucky despite the misuse of my body over 55 years only in the last few years have things … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment, Gear, Health, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | 9 Comments

Merry Christmas to everyone lots of love to you all.

Posted on December 25, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

Just a short Blog to wish you all a Happy Christmas. In the past I have been on the Hills but not this Year until after my medical issues are sorted out. Have a great time all a photos are … Continue reading →

Posted in Bothies, Enviroment, Family, Friends, Mountaineering, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | 2 Comments

Tales from the back of a 4 tonner!

Posted on December 24, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

I was sent this photo showing a model of the 4 tonner wagon we used to travel in the early days out with the RAF Mountain Rescue Teams. My earliest reflection was arriving in a wintry February night at Kinloss … Continue reading →

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

Tom Patey Ones Man’s Legacy – a review from “All things Cuillin” by Adrain Trednall.

Posted on December 22, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

Tom Patey One Man’s Legacy – Tom Patey has always been a hero of mine. I was brought into mountaineering with folk who knew and climbed with him. The stories of his climbs and escapades are incredible. During my mountaineering … Continue reading →

Posted in Book, Equipment, Mountaineering, Recomended books and Guides, Rock Climbing, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Well being | 2 Comments

Today is the Lockerbie Anniversary Disaster Tragedy. A hard day for many. Help is out there #itsgoodtotalk

Posted on December 20, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

It’s been a difficult year for me a lot of medical problems and very hard at times controlling the “Black Dog”is always there. Today is a huge day in my life it is the Anniversary of the Lockerbie Disaster in … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Family, Friends, Lockerbie, Media, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Recomended books and Guides, Views Political?, Well being | 4 Comments

Callout – Glencoe 14 Feb 1976

Posted on December 19, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

This is the second article from Tom McLellan it’s an interesting account in a different era. Glencoe – Saturday, 14th February 1976 All day the cloud was low down in Glencoe but I was familiar with the route up into … Continue reading →

Posted in Avalanche info, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment

19 th December 1954 tragedy on Ben Nevis .

Posted on December 19, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

“On the 19 Dec 1954 exactly 68 years ago Eleven Royal Naval personnel from Royal Naval Air Station Fulmar (Lossiemouth) left to climb Ben Nevis via Coire Leis. They had stayed overnight and left the CIC hut where they were … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Well being | 2 Comments