Category Archives: Friends

Glovers Chimney – Ben Nevis.

Posted on January 26, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

Classic Scottish winter climbing – Glovers Chimney Ben Nevis photo Mark Hartree First ascent winter 1935 by G.C McPhee and party. My first introduction to this classic route was on my first ascent of Tower Ridge in the early 70’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Friends, Gear, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Recomended books and Guides, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT | Leave a comment

My mate Tom Mac Donald RIP.

Posted on January 20, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

Tom MacDonald I have the just had the sad news of my pal Tom MacDonald died on Thursday at his home in Dundee. I have no other news as yet. It was a huge shock as I thought the man … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Avalanche info, Bothies, Corbetts and other hills, Family, Flora, Friends, Ice climbing Canada, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Munros, People, Plants, Rock Climbing, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Well being, Wildlife | 8 Comments

Meal Fuar – mhonaidh 699 metres (Hill of the Cold Mass)

Posted on January 17, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

I was offered a short day on the hill yesterday with Dianne and Dottie and we left at a descent time 0800 on quiet roads for Loch Ness, The plan was the Meal Fuar – mhonaidh 699 metres. This wee … Continue reading →

Posted in Corbetts and other hills, Enviroment, Friends, Local area and events to see, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Munros, Other hills Grahams & Donalds, People, Recomended books and Guides, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | Leave a comment

200 years of HM Coastguards. Thank you.

Posted on January 15, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

Over my many years in Mountain Rescue I was privileged to work with many Agencies. Yet I was always happy to work with the HM. Coastguards in my early days we had many exercises one I remember was on Hoy. … Continue reading →

Posted in Friends, Mountaineering | 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

Thanks to John Harper of The Braeraich for all those years of looking after us in Newtonmore . RIP John

Posted on January 11, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

This wee blog is read by many ex RAF Troops all over the World . I use it to pass news good and bad on to others many who live away from Facebook. I picked this up from Joanne through … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Bothies, Family, Friends, Local area and events to see, mountain safety, People, Views Mountaineering, Well being | 6 Comments

Cracking books and ideas for climbing the hills. “Scotlands Mountain Ridges.” Dan Bailey and that old favourite the SMC District Guides.

Posted on January 9, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

This is great guidebook with a mix of summer scrambling, rock climbing and winter mountaineering on Scotland’s ridges, from the remote Cairngorms to the splendour of the Cuillin. Graceful carved walkways slung between summits, twisted spines of stone – ridges … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Equipment, Friends, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Munros, People, Recomended books and Guides, Rock Climbing, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

Assynt – Ben Mhor Coigach Sgurr an Fhidhleir – The Fhidhleir

Posted on January 8, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

My friend Terry was up North visiting Assynt he had a couple of great days. I cover for him when he is alone on the hill. It’s a bit of back up for him he sent me a few great … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Avalanche info, Corbetts and other hills, Family, Friends, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, Poems, Recomended books and Guides, Rock Climbing, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

Dog sitting – Back from the West my pal Islay for a few days. Plans for the New Year? “So much to do so little time “

Posted on January 3, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

It was very wet over in the West but we had a quite New Year we got lots of driving rain. The rivers are very high and the great peaks snow less. It was a long drive back until I … Continue reading →

Posted in Bothies, Corbetts, Corbetts and other hills, Friends, Health, Islands, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Munros, Other hills Grahams & Donalds, Rock Climbing, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment

A Warm start to the New Year. There is something primeval about a fire outside.

Posted on January 1, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

Last night was a grand night with a few friends outside for a fire on the West Coast. Some old wood was collected and we had a fire pit as well. A few friends were about all outside and socially … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Friends, Mountaineering, Views Political?, Well being | 2 Comments