Monthly Archives: January 2023

Missing person Harvey Christian – Ben Nevis

Posted on January 30, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

From Lochaber MRT The last two days have seen the team search for the missing person Harvey Christian who failed to return from Ben Nevis on Friday 27th January. With extremely challenging weather conditions which did not allow helicopter assistance. … Continue reading →

Posted in Friends, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, SARDA, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | 1 Comment

Ray Sefton Sunshine – one of the best . The Way it was.

Posted on January 30, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Ray Sefton (Sunshine) was and still is one of the best people I have met. He joined the RAF in 1956 when National Service was still going. The RAF Mountain Rescue Teams were full of characters, many who were excellent … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Articles, Avalanche info, Books, Family, Friends, Hill running and huge days!, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Munros, People, Rock Climbing, Scottish winter climbing., Well being | 2 Comments

My hearts in the Highlands.

Posted on January 29, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

I went to a wonderful Burns night. There were song, poems and music. We were met by a piper at the door which led to the atmosphere. I was born in Ayr which is Burn’s country. Sadly my voice does … Continue reading →

Posted in Mountaineering, Music, People, Poems, Well being | Leave a comment

Pete McGowan – another character of the hills. RAF Mountain Rescue, Mount Kenya and Dhaulagiri 1V.

Posted on January 28, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Pete McGowan was an ex RAF MRT team leader. Pete was an amazing guy and he sorted out the “RAF Kinloss Team ” in the mid 70’s. What a leader and some task master, he was known throughout Mountain Rescue … Continue reading →

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

John Hinde another great character.

Posted on January 27, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

I was very fortunate to meet so many great mentors in RAF Mountain Rescue. John Hinde was one who helped me a lot and gave me so much of the history of the Mountain Rescue Service. John was a superb … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Corbetts and other hills, Enviroment, Expeditions - Alaska - Himalayas etc, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Munros, Other hills Grahams & Donalds, Rock Climbing, Scottish winter climbing., Well being | 2 Comments

Working with true characters. George Bruce BEM.

Posted on January 26, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

It’s fun looking back and seeing the old i photos of some of the characters. I was so lucky to meet so many that had an influence on my life over the years. George lead the team through his wit … Continue reading →

Posted in Mountaineering | 6 Comments

The Nest of Fannaich – lost Bothies.

Posted on January 25, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

The Nest of Fannichs : One of two houses that stood at the head of Loch Fannaich. Cabuie Lodge was demolished, it was feared that it would be flooded when the Hydro enlarged the loch. The Nest was lost to … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Bothies, Friends, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | 1 Comment

Hamish -The Log cabin wee bothy in the North West. Furniture removal thanks to the RAF helicopters.

Posted on January 22, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Hamish during and before COVID used to send me little stories of past days to me me most are in that wonderful book above. I know how much he enjoyed talking about these days. His memory had recovered and he … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bothies, Mountaineering, People, Well being | Leave a comment

The Tragsitz – some memories!

Posted on January 19, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

The Tragsitz was used widely in the Alps and Jonnie Lees was a exponent of it. The finest achievement of Lees’s career – for which he became the only man to be awarded the George Medal for a cliff rescue … Continue reading →

Posted in Friends, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Views Mountaineering | Leave a comment

Glen Nevis a place of many memories

Posted on January 18, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Yesterday I did a wee bit of filming with Dave and Claire McLeod. The weather held for us and we got a few shots and a wee video done.The drive down was okay apart from Inverness which seems to have … Continue reading →

Posted in Films, Friends, Health, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Munros, Rock Climbing, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | 2 Comments