Category Archives: Equipment

The Cromdales and a visit to the crash site of a RAF Armstrong Whitworth Whitley, Carn a’ Ghille Chearr, 710 metres Cromdale Hills.

Posted on June 28, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

I have visited the Cromdales a few times mainly on the odd winter course when we skied from Grantown on Spey. This was due to heavy snow at various years stopping us going to the Cairngorms. Yet I have never … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Corbetts and other hills, Enviroment, Equipment, Flora, Friends, Health, Himalayas/ Everest, Mountaineering, Other hills Grahams & Donalds, People, Plants, Recomended books and Guides, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | 2 Comments

Filming in a wet Torridon about the Lancaster Beinn Eighe crash.

Posted on May 13, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

I often wonder how many who climb that magnificent mountain Beinn Eighe and do not know that there is a plane crash on the mountain. So many walk by the Lancaster aircraft wreckage that lies in the wild and Cathedral … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Equipment, Friends, Gear, History, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | 3 Comments

Sea Stacks – A few tales: The old man of Stoer. An early ascent in 1968 and a ascent of a foam covered Stack!

Posted on April 26, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

Well done Bridget from Skye ( All things Culluin) for climbing the Old Man of Storr a sea stack near Lochinver. A great day out for you and Adrian and what a way to experience a birthday. It got me … Continue reading →

Posted in Enviroment, Equipment, Friends, Gear, Mountaineering, People, Rock Climbing, SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Wildlife | 2 Comments

Extra care needed on the winter mountains: a statement from Police Scotland.

Posted on March 9, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

Introduction : by Heavy The hills are incredible in winter but the snow just now is rock hard meaning a slip on an icy slope could be serious . I was out on the hills on Sunday the snow in … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment, Friends, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment

A few thoughts on the Walk Highlands article by David Lintern.

Posted on February 18, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

I was very happy to see this article published after my interview last week with David Lintren. It cane out the same day as an interview podcast with the author John Burns. I hope I do not come across as … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Enviroment, Equipment, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Recomended books and Guides, Views Mountaineering, Views Political?, Weather, Well being | 6 Comments

Great kit ? Pacerpoles What’s yours?

Posted on February 13, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

I have used walking poles since the mid 80’ s my knees were knackered then. I have had two operations on my knees but poles have really helped lessen the impact. At first I used one but in the end … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment, mountain safety, Mountaineering | 2 Comments

The RAF Winter Course a bit of background – Winter Training.

Posted on February 7, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

I just saw the RAF Mountain Rescue annual winter course is now on. Its been going for over 70 years and gets the 3 RAF teams together for winter skills. In my era it was over 2 weeks split between … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Avalanche info, Enviroment, Equipment, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | 1 Comment

The Rescue – what an incredible film. Gives you faith in people working together. Politicians take note .

Posted on January 30, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

During the storm I managed to watch “The Rescue” what an insight into a huge Cave Rescue. ‘The Rescue’ chronicles the dramatic 2018 rescue of 12 Thai boys and their soccer coach, trapped deep inside a flooded cave. It was … Continue reading →

Posted in Enviroment, Equipment, Films, Media, Music & Cinema, People, Views Political?, Well being | Leave a comment

The Alpinist

Posted on January 25, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

Marc-André Leclerc climbs solo unroped, far from the limelight. The free-spirited 25 year old makes made some of the boldest solo ascents in history. Yet he was very different from most other climbers shunning the limelight.. He led a “hippy … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska, Enviroment, Equipment, Expeditions - Alaska - Himalayas etc, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

Kinloss Mountain Rescue Team Routes on Ben Nevis in winter. Ian Clough and others.

Posted on January 14, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

In the 50’s when National Service was mandatory a few climbers were posted to RAF Kinloss in the UK the Mountain Rescue Team in Morayshire in the North of Scotland. As the team trained most weekends at various Base Camps … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Equipment, Friends, Gear, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Recomended books and Guides, Rock Climbing, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering | Leave a comment