Category Archives: Equipment

The great improvements in weather/ Avalanche/ forecasting.

Posted on March 15, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

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.

Posted on March 1, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

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 →

Posted in Mountaineering, Articles, Enviroment, Equipment, mountain safety, Gear | Leave a comment

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

Posted on February 22, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

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.

Posted on February 20, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

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 !

Posted on February 6, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

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 →

Posted in Equipment, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

Tragedy on Ben Nevis December 1956.

Posted on February 4, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

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.

Posted on January 8, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

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.

Posted on December 28, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

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 →

Posted in Equipment, Gear, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Recomended books and Guides, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

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

Posted on December 27, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

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!

Posted on December 24, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

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