Author Archives: heavywhalley.MBE

About heavywhalley.MBE

Mountain Rescue Specialist. Environmentalist. Spent 37 years with RAF Mountain Rescue and 3 years with a civilian Team . Still an active Mountaineer when body slows, loves the wild places.

Scottish Mountain Rescue Annual Review 2022

Posted on June 3, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Scottish Mountain Rescue have published their Annual Review for 2022. I was asked to do a wee piece for the booklet “Over the years the work of Mountain Rescue has adapted as things move on. It is great to see … Continue reading →

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

The Mull of Kintyre Chinook crash 2 June 1994. A few days I will never forget.

Posted on June 2, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

This is a timely reminder of a tragedy of the Chinook Crash and the efforts of the RAF Teams involved. The Chinook crash Mull of Kintyre June 1994. –   29 Years ago and this story is still as vivid … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Mountain rescue, PTSD, Well being | 9 Comments

Skin Cancer and the mountains. Please be aware !

Posted on June 1, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

I got some great replies to my blog on Heat exhaustion and skin cancer. Many years ago little was known about the effects of skin cancer and prolonged effect of being in the sun for prolonged periods. I spent many … Continue reading →

Posted in Clothing, Expeditions - Alaska - Himalayas etc, Friends, Gear, Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | 4 Comments

Be Aware during this hot weather.

Posted on May 30, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Average Weather at Masirah The hot season lasts for 2.3 months, from 17 April to 26 June, with an average daily high temperature above 33°C. The hottest day of the year is 13 May, with an average high of 35°C and low of 27°C.  Over the years I was very lucky … Continue reading →

Posted in Enviroment, Equipment, Friends, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | 7 Comments

Socks on wet big routes in the rain. “Slip sliding away”

Posted on May 29, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

This is a strange time to write about wet rock during this glorious spell of weather a time to climb the Classic Clachaig Gully or the Chasm in Glencoe? Let me know how you get on. Quiver Rib Glencoe a … Continue reading →

Posted in Friends, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment

Coping with hard times.

Posted on May 29, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

In life you hit spells that most of us struggle through. I feel I am n this period again. I have been down in my home town in Ayr where my sister is not well. I stopped on the way … Continue reading →

Posted in Enviroment, Family, Friends, Health, Mountaineering, People, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | 10 Comments

Les Boswell – “Bodger”the wee man with a huge heart.

Posted on May 28, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

From Les’ s wife Hello troops , this is my first post on here and its a sad one . My lovely husband Les Bodger Boswell has passed away . He died yesterday after a long battle with liver cancer … Continue reading →

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

Travelling West – no summits but great joy seeing the mountains again

Posted on May 26, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

The weather yesterday was stunning as o drove West. Blue skies and sunshine made it a journey through to Fort William. I am still vert tired but felt the sun all day giving me warmth and a feeling of joy. … Continue reading →

Posted in Enviroment, Family, Friends, Health, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Winter round of the Munro’s – winter 282 a film by Kevin Woods.

Posted on May 24, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

The film was Introduced by Jenny Graham a local world record breaking cyclist and superb host. This was A marvellous insight into a winter Traverse of all the 282 Munro’s in winter . Influenced by Sir Hugh Munro Hamish Brown … Continue reading →

Posted in Avalanche info, Book, Films, Friends, Hill running and huge days!, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Munros, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment

Last day in Harris

Posted on May 23, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

We were up early as Yvette had not been to Harris before. What a busy day till the mid afternoon ferry. We went to lots of beaches mostly empty but the ever-changing weather was incredible. The beaches are amazing add … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Friends, Mountaineering, People, Sailing trips, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | Leave a comment