Category Archives: Family

Fathers Day

Posted on June 21, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

I have just had a lovely day with my Grandkids, my stepdaughter and Dave it was a day I will never forget. They all made me so happy and showed me so much love, laughter and kindness. Its even more … Continue reading →

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

Covid Blues?

Posted on May 18, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

I am so lucky I live in Moray with so much on my doorstep. I have the sea the forest and grand walks and cycles all on my doorstep. Sadly we have to stay in Level 3 for a bit … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Cycling, Enviroment, Family, Flora, Friends, Islands, Local area and events to see, Mountaineering, People, Well being, Wildlife | 3 Comments

Should mountaineers still be on Everest and other big mountains and using Oxygen as local folk are dying due to Covid. Comments welcome !

Posted on May 16, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

I have read a lot recently and my heart bleeds for the many who have died of Covid in India, Nepal and Pakistan. Yet it is amazing that there are still many expeditions out climbing the big peaks! Is this … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Expeditions - Alaska - Himalayas etc, Family, Friends, Gear, Health, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Views Mountaineering, Views Political?, Well being | Tagged | 4 Comments

Mental Awareness Week.

Posted on May 13, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

In my early days on Mountain Rescue there was little awareness of the effect on mental health. It was a taboo subject which I hope I fought to raise the profile. It was hard going in the 80’s and I … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Family, Friends, Health, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Well being | Leave a comment

The Shackleton Crash on 30 April 1990 – The Isle of Harris.

Posted on April 30, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

The RAF Mountain Rescue was formed during the Second World War to rescue aircrew from crashed aircraft in the mountains of the UK. To this day the 3 RAF Teams that still survive are still called to carry out some … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Articles, Family, Friends, Islands, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, PTSD, Well being | 13 Comments

Poo in the Wild places ! what can we do about it? What a mess we found yesterday.

Posted on April 26, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

I was over in the West and my friend and I took her dog for a walk near Sheildaig. Despite the fire risk and two signs some stupid folk had a fire in the forest. Crazy as this must have … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Enviroment, Family, Friends, Health, Mountaineering, Well being, Wildlife | 6 Comments

Is winter on its way again? Lurg Mor and Bidein a’ Choire Sheasgaich wild hills and the remote Munro top Meal Mor. The remote rock climb “Munroist Reward”.

Posted on April 3, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

The forecasts is today the weather will get pretty wintry again. As it’s the Easter holiday and things are starting to open up a bit please be aware. It is fairly common for spells of wild weather to hit us … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Book, Books, Corbetts, Corbetts and other hills, Cycling, Family, Friends, Hill running and huge days!, Mountain Biking, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, Recomended books and Guides, Rock Climbing, SMC/SMT, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | 2 Comments

Mother’s Day thoughts still so relevant !

Posted on March 14, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

It’s a year on since I wrote this and yet every word means more every year. Many have lost their Mums due to Covid. Even worse many have died alone a tragedy that as a nation I doubt we will … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Family, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

What’s going to be your first hill day after Lockdown. It still seems so long away off ? For me I would love to climb Morven Caithness and then Skye after that Ben Nevis and Glencoe .

Posted on February 24, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

Most of waited for any news yesterday about the changes in Covid Regulations it seems to be dragging on. How we miss our freedom and I will never take my freedom to roam for granted. Hopefully things are getting slowly … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Corbetts, Corbetts and other hills, Enviroment, Family, Friends, Local area and events to see, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Munros, People, Recomended books and Guides, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Wildlife | 1 Comment

There is light at the end of the tunnel?

Posted on February 22, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

For some of us there is a good feeling about maybe things are getting better slowly. I am lucky I have had my injection for Covid last week. To me that was incredible to see how well organised the NHS … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Friends, Mountaineering, People, Well being | 2 Comments