Category Archives: Books

Early days Arran

Posted on May 2, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

Travelling from my hometown in Ayr we holidayed in the nearby Arran the boat over was always like coming to another world! We were a big family of 5 kids ( i was the youngest) that feeling of being on … Continue reading →

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The Cairngorms & North East Scotland book review courtesy of Adrian Trednall.

Posted on March 1, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

This book is long awaited written by true lovers of these mountains I spent many great days on the hills and rock in the past here. Glen Clova was our playground after work on the climbs. It is published by … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Corbetts, Corbetts and other hills, Mountaineering, Recomended books and Guides, Views Mountaineering | Leave a comment

Fionaven – A grand day out.

Posted on February 25, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

This is a grand mountain hill Fionaven  I love this mountain and I have been very lucky to climb it about 10 times. It is spectacular and can be seen for miles. The shattered quartzite makes the hill look white and … Continue reading →

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I spent today not feeling great and taking it easy and trying to get over my mind sorted. I ended up reflecting on a magic days on An Teallach with great friends. How do you explain about the mountains and especialy of An Teallach. The views are stunning and a short walk along the path opens up a new world at every turn. This mountain has so many mysteries so many ridges and tops you will never understand all it’s secrets. Every year it’s buttresses and cliffs open up to a new generation of climbers making any visit a long mountain day and a special place to be the wild North West. It is a serious area to be especially in winter and in wild weather and is well served by the local Dundonnel Mountain Rescue Team.

Posted on February 21, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

Many of these walks and climbs became a classic in my days with the RAF Mountain rescue team.The classic Traverse is one of the best. The young troops enjoyed this route and it became a right of passage for some. … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Friends, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Munros, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Well being | 3 Comments

Famine Walls and Foodbanks.

Posted on February 7, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

Famine Walls and Foodbanks what a state we are living in. After a winter wander on Beinn Dearg I had a look at some other effects of this tragic time in Scotland’s history. On that day I followed the “Famine … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Corbetts and other hills, Mountaineering, Munros, Views Political? | 3 Comments

Another piece of history SMC Journals

Posted on February 6, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

Yesterday I gave my SMC Journals to Robin Clothier a SMC s stalwart. There was nearly;80;years worth. They gave me so much enjoyment and back ground on my Statistician. Robin a is connoisseur.Of mountaineering despite being a great climber he … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Clothing, Corbetts, Corbetts and other hills, Enviroment, Friends, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Munro Society, Munros, People, Recomended books and Guides, SARDA, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering | 3 Comments

Winds – the killer.

Posted on January 22, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

Today we are again in wild weather the winds are an incredible speed. To me and I have seen the effect of extreme winds its nature in the raw powerful and frightening. Many think they have been out in extreme … Continue reading →

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My very early days on steep ice. Introduction Zero Gully Ben Nevis.

Posted on January 12, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

Cold Climbs first published 1983 The Great Snow and Ice Climbs of the British Isles Ken Wilson,Dave Alcock Ice climbing generates tales of gripping drama and this book (in the same anthology / guidebook / photo format as the rock-climbing … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Avalanche info, Books, Equipment, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Scottish winter climbing., Weather | 7 Comments

Fort William mountain Festival. Thurs day 15 Feb

Posted on January 10, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

MEET OUR LEGENDS 🏔️ 🥳Celebrating Excellence in Mountain Culture Come along on Thursday 15th of February to kick start the weekend and help us celebrate our 20th birthday with a night of inspiring stories, a complimentary nip of Gin from … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Articles, Avalanche info, Books, Enviroment, Equipment, Friends, Media, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

Changabang – Pete Boardman , “The Shinning Mountain” A day on Hells Lum Chimney.

Posted on December 30, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Due to my health I have been reading a lot books give me such joy especially “ The Shinning Mountain “ Changabang is a mountain in the Garhwal Himalaya of Uttarakhand, India. It is part of a group of peaks … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Friends, Gear, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Recomended books and Guides, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment