Monthly Archives: March 2023

Munro’s and adventures by boat “Daz Boot”

Posted on March 31, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Over the years I have been lucky to use a boat usually an inflatable to climb Munro’s. I first remember borrowing a boat from Grantown on Spey to visit the remoter lochs and distant Munro’s. . Cannich and it’s huge … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Corbetts, Islands, Mountaineering, Munros, People, Sailing trips, Weather | Leave a comment

Benchmarks and the Devil – by Pete Kirkpatrick.I’m

Posted on March 30, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

BENCHMARKS AND THE DEVIL This is a great piece written by my friend Pete Kirkpatrick. It in-my view shows how different we were as RAF Mountain Rescue. Have you ever had that experience when you are eating a meal and … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Family, Friends, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Well being | Leave a comment

Raeburns Arête -Ben Nevis

Posted on March 28, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

I love Ben Nevis it gave me so many great days. In summer it a different mountain. I used to enjoy climbing the Classic Ridges with young troops. North East Buttress is a grand route. It’s like a big Alpine … Continue reading →

Posted in Mountaineering, Recomended books and Guides, Rock Climbing, Scottish winter climbing., Weather | 1 Comment

Sheep ticks / there back !

Posted on March 27, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Ticks The last weekend I was out in the hills the I was out with SARDA and many of the dogs were covered in ticks. last thing I was thinking about was ticks! Despite a thorough search I found another … Continue reading →

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

SARDA Scotland Annual Assessment / Fort William

Posted on March 26, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

I spent yesterday on the final day of the SARDA assessment. Again it was an eye opening day.it wss a long weekend starting Friday night for Dogs, handlers, bodies and those organising the Assessment. There is huge pressure on all … Continue reading →

Posted in Mountain rescue, Mountaineering | Leave a comment

SARDA Scotland – Annual

Posted on March 25, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

This weekend I am down at Fort Williamwith SARDA SCOTLAND on their Annual Assessment. The dogs, handlers and bodies work so hard to get the Dogs and handlers assessed. They had already completed a full days assessment when I arrived … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Friends, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

Guilt or Gratitude missing out on big Callouts ? By Pete Kirkpatrick

Posted on March 20, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

GUILT OR GRATITUDE This is a interesting article that I think many of us in the Emergency Agencies who may feel they miss out on a big incident. This happens as family,holidays, sickness and many other things may stop you … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Lockerbie, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, SAR, SARDA, Views Political?, Well being | 1 Comment

Monday washing day in Tibet. A tale of a bothy on Everest !

Posted on March 20, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Is there a better back drop to dry your gear than this view of Everest. Everything was still covered in sand even after a good wash, We were in Tibet for 3 months hard living but we had our secret … Continue reading →

Posted in Bothies, Himalayas/ Everest, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment

Mother’s Day

Posted on March 19, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Mothers Day I always think about my Mum even more so just now. A few days ago was the day of Women who Inspire my Mum is without doubt the lady I was always inspired by her. It has been … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Friends, Health, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Well being | 3 Comments

The great improvements in weather/ Avalanche/ forecasting.

Posted on March 15, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

In my early days in the RAF Mountain Rescue we got a weather forecast from the local RAF MET office. It was handy but mainly designed mainly for aircraft flying. It came in at weekends by our High Frequency radios … Continue reading →

Posted in Avalanche info, Enviroment, Equipment, Media, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment