Category Archives: Aircraft incidents

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

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

Cold Bivouac’s – what’s yours ?

Posted on January 6, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Most of the bivouacs in my early days in these days the bivouac gear was basic. Orange polythene bags were the standard. This was the early 80’s a few on call-outs. My worst one was on Skye in 1982 on … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Alaska, Books, Enviroment, Expeditions - Alaska - Himalayas etc, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, Views Mountaineering | 4 Comments

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

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

80 years ago The Wellington Crash South Eastern Flank of Geal Charn near Beinn Alder.

Posted on December 12, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

This is always a story I just get so moved by. Imagine crashing into a remote mountain during the dark days of the war. Things were not going well it was 1942 and in December. There is limited daylight and … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Views Mountaineering, Weather | 2 Comments

Thanks for all the comments on my trip to Skye in Remembrance of the F111 crew who died on Sgurr na Stri.

Posted on December 11, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

Many thanks for all the positive thoughts on our trip to Skye. I am still tired despite it being two days since I was there. It did make me think as I spent so much time on the hill. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Well being, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Just back from an incredible 3 days at the JMCOf Scotland hut. On the 40 Anniversary of the F111 crash on Sgurr Na Stri.

Posted on December 10, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

I have been struggling with health issues but I so wanted to be near the crash site on Sgurr Na Stri above Loch Coruisk. I had promised the relatives if I was able I would go. Packing the bag for … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Avalanche info, Bothies, Friends, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | 5 Comments

Sgurr Na Stri Skye only 494 metres it’s tiny but packs a punch! What a viewpoint one of the best and a sad night in 1982.

Posted on November 21, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

This was a mountain I hate to say I had never climbed. I was always to busy when on Skye climbing, traversing the ridge and rock climbing. My first ascent was one of the most wildest call-outs I can recall. … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Books, Islands, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, PTSD, Weather, Well being | 1 Comment