Category Archives: Books

The Grahams and the Donalds.

Posted on December 4, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

Following on from the Scottish Mountaineering Club’s best-sellers, The Munros and The Corbetts, this definitive guidebook recommends the best journeys on the next principal listings of Scottish hills. Written and compiled by some of the foremost authorities on the Scottish mountains and brought … Continue reading →

Posted in Mountaineering, Books, Recomended books and Guides, SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Other hills Grahams & Donalds, Corbetts and other hills, Well being | 1 Comment

High Risks – Climbing to Extinction – Brian Hall

Posted on December 1, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

I found this an exceptional book. It took me back to the “ Golden Years” of Alpine and Himalayan Mountaineers.The death toll of these climbers pushing their ambitions and the complexity of their lives is an eye opener. He also … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Enviroment, Equipment, Family, Friends, Gear, Health, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

1976 The Munro’s – 46 years on. A few thoughts.

Posted on November 27, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

Munros- 46 years on. Big changes but still a great way to get to know Scotland. In my early wa liking days the Munro’s was a huge ambition. I completed them in 27 Mov 1976! It was recorded in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Friends, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Munros, Well being | Leave a comment

Everest Classic – photo and memories of the Fox of Glencoe.

Posted on November 25, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

I always thought that this was an outstanding photo of Hamish McInness stretcher being used on Everest in the Western CYM. ‘The photo was taken by my pal Terry Moore in 1992 . Typically Terry understated the effort “ Twas … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Friends, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, Recomended books and Guides, Rock Climbing, SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

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

Ben Loyal – 764 metres and an epic rescue after a plane crash of a Handley Page Hampden.

Posted on November 20, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

My first impression of Ben Loyal many years ago sometimes called the “Queen of Scotland” was so impressive. It was a Misty day and the hill emerged as the hill cleared. You can see this mountain from a long way … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Books, Corbetts and other hills, Friends, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Recomended books and Guides, Rock Climbing, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

Cranstakie and Beinn Spionnaidh and the Mosquito crash.

Posted on November 20, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

These are Twin Corbetts rising East of the A838 road from Rhiconich to Durness. The most Northerly Corbett is Beinn Spionnaidh. These are two Corbetts I never appreciated in my youth. There a long way North to these hills. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Articles, Books, Corbetts, Corbetts and other hills, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Recomended books and Guides | Leave a comment

More Classic smaller mountains: Fionaven the Reay Forest North – West Sutherland.

Posted on November 17, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

I have promised a pal that we will climb the Corbett Fionaven she has been waiting to climb in for a while. I hope next May when I am fit enough still to climb a big mountain after my health … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Corbetts and other hills, Enviroment, Equipment, Friends, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Munros, People, Rock Climbing, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

Remembrance Week – The Beinn Eighe Lancaster. March 1951.

Posted on November 11, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

IN THE MEMORY OF THE CREW OF LANCASTER TX264 Its 70 years since the crash of the Lancaster on Beinn Eighe. I was told of the story often and visited the site on many occasions. It is a situated in … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Articles, Books, Friends, Gear, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Recomended books and Guides, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | 4 Comments

Some great tales at the RAF Scotland Mountain Rescue re – union at Newtonmore. Thank you to all the families for your support over the years.

Posted on November 6, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

This weekend was the Annual RAF Mountain Rescue Reunion. It was a great night and RAF Lossiemouth Team joined us after the meal. What a great bunch of people. We had a superb night hosted by the Highlander Hotel who … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Charity, Family, Friends, Lectures, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Well being, Wildlife | Leave a comment