Category Archives: Equipment

The great improvements in weather/ Avalanche/ forecasting.

In my early days in the RAF Mountain Rescue we got a weather forecast from the local RAF MET office. It was handy but mainly designed mainly for aircraft flying. It came in at weekends by our High Frequency radios … Continue reading

Posted in Avalanche info, Enviroment, Equipment, Media, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment

A few comments on my Bog about staying safe on the hills . Comments always welcome.

Eye sight The point you make about eyesight is a good one. I have been using differential contact lenses now for many years and several other members of the Kintail team do the same. This is where the dominant eye … Continue reading

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Pushing the climbing standards in RAF Mountain Rescue. The late 50’s – early 70’s.

The RAF Mountain Rescue went through many changes since it’s beginning in 1944. Wales had some exceptional climbers like Johnnie Lees who pushed the standards along with several exceptional climbers in South Wales, The Peaks and the Lakes. In Scotland … Continue reading

Posted in Equipment, Friends, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Well being | 6 Comments

Simple thing that may save your life in the wild places. A whistle.

In these days of mobile phones and Rescue beacons there is still a handy piece of simple kit that to me is invaluable. Yet there is one thing that I have found to still be a wonderful asset if your … Continue reading

Posted in Articles, Enviroment, Equipment, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, SAR, SARDA, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

The things they troops got up to ? The Church Bell, beards and a cannon !

I keep remembering the odd problem in the Mountain Rescue Team that younger members got involved in. I must confess that in my younger days I was part of it. “High Jinks”or just daftness? The 1972 – RAF Kinloss Church … Continue reading

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Tragedy on Ben Nevis December 1956.

The 1957 SMC Journal “ 25 December 1956 – Group of 5 benighted in a blizzard on plateau after climbing South Castle Gully Ben Nevis ( Carn Dearg) Survivor got down to Fort William on 26 th December. Rescue party … Continue reading

Posted in Articles, Avalanche info, Enviroment, Equipment, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment

A few memories good & bad of snow holing.

A pal asked me recently if when I am feeling better would fancy going snow holing this winter? It brought back so many memories some good some bad of some wild nights in the Cairngorms and Ben Nevis. In those … Continue reading

Posted in Avalanche info, Equipment, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Recomended books and Guides, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | 2 Comments

Clothes maketh not the man or woman.

I got asked on a few occasions when asked what was the Corporate issue to the RAF Mountain Rescue Teams. This was from a few filmmakers who were reacting a few Call-outs. They were amazed that most folk wore their … Continue reading

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A few tips for the older climber. Hopefully to help extend your hill days and well being.

Many older climbers struggle with getting older. We miss the mountains as Health issues hit some of us. I have been very lucky despite the misuse of my body over 55 years only in the last few years have things … Continue reading

Posted in Equipment, Gear, Health, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | 9 Comments

Tales from the back of a 4 tonner!

I was sent this photo showing a model of the 4 tonner wagon we used to travel in the early days out with the RAF Mountain Rescue Teams. My earliest reflection was arriving in a wintry February night at Kinloss … Continue reading

Posted in Enviroment, Equipment, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Well being | 2 Comments