Category Archives: Equipment

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

A wee wander on Ben Rinnes. Slowly, slowly. “Blessed are the path makers “

Posted on November 28, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

Ben Rinnes ; 841 m (2,759 ft) · 512 m (1,680 ft) · Corbett, Marilyn. Elevation: 841 m (2,759 ft) Parent range: Grampian Mountains I went to visit my old friend Wendy who is in a home in Elgin. She is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Corbetts, Corbetts and other hills, Enviroment, Equipment, Friends, Health, Mountaineering | 6 Comments

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

Helicopter Days . The early days and an interesting rescue in Wales gaining trust with the crews.

Posted on November 3, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

My first working with helicopters was in 1972. I got an afternoon of to go with a few of the Kinloss Mountain Rescue Team to our local mountain Ben Rinnes. We were playing with Sarbe Beacons and testing them out. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bothies, Equipment, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather | 4 Comments

1978 – Early days at RAF Buchan plus two big call-outs on Colonsay and Braeriach.

Posted on November 2, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

Few folk will know I was posted to RAF Buchan near Peterhead after getting promoted to Corporal in 1978. It was a small station but very important part of the Cold War. Even though it broke my heart to leave … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Avalanche info, Equipment, Family, Friends, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment

The mountaineering obsession begins !

Posted on October 20, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

It was all action on my first two years at Kinloss Mountain Rescue from 1972 – 74 . Every weekend was spent away with the team. I visited so many places all over Scotland. I hardly went home as I … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Bothies, Enviroment, Equipment, Family, Friends, Hill running and huge days!, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment

Early Callouts in 1972 – The harsh reality of Mountain Rescues.

Posted on October 17, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

At this time the call outs were fairly simple including a search for missing boy near Kinloss at Randolph’s Leap a popular walk near a steep gorge. We found him safe and well after a night search. The other was … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Equipment, Family, Friends, medical, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Rock Climbing, SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | 2 Comments

A first trip to Skye what an eye opener.

Posted on October 16, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

After being accepted by the team I was so lucky to get a long trip to Skye. In these days there was no bridge and it was a ferry it was a long 4-5 hour journey. By now I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Equipment, Friends, Gear, Islands, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Munros, Rock Climbing, Views Mountaineering, Well being | 1 Comment

1972 – Joining the RAF Kinloss MRT.

Posted on October 11, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

After doing my basic and trade training at Hereford I wanted a posting back to Scotland. I was so pleased that I got posted to Morayshire in the North of Scotland. I wanted to join the RAF Kinloss Mountain Rescue … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment, Friends, Gear, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Well being | 8 Comments

Great advice on preparing for the winter from Adrian Trednall (All things Cuillin)

Posted on October 6, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

My good friend Adrian Trednall wrote this and gave me permission to use it on my blog. It’s a great piece with good advice for all. To me Skye is the hardest area of the UK especially in winter. The … Continue reading →

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