Category Archives: Gear

A bothy tale – Early winter Dec 1978 – The Mamores and an encounter at Meannanach bothy.

Posted on June 8, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

We were on our first winter traverse West to East of Scotland. We had done a North to South a year earlier and John Hinde one of our mentors had said “if you think your fit try one unsupported in … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Bothies, Friends, Gear, Hill running and huge days!, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

Climbing on Etive – Padding at its best. Spartan Slab, Hammer and Swastika.

Posted on May 25, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

Etive Slabs Memories. I loved the drive down Glen Etive to the end of the road surrounded by Mountains to the loch. The walk in is easy and enjoyable to the foot of these incredible slabs through the ferns. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment, Friends, Gear, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Recomended books and Guides, Rock Climbing, Views Mountaineering, Well being, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Some good comments on Boots, hill running trainers and Approach shoes the hill. Comments as always welcome.

Posted on May 22, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

Thanks for all your comments on boots on the hill. The main point was to remind folks that they need to check there soles to ensure the tread is still good. There were many comments that a lot of folk … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Gear, Mountaineering, People, Recomended books and Guides, Views Mountaineering, Well being | 3 Comments

Get a Grip on the Scottish Mountains. When was the last time you checked your boot soles ?

Posted on May 20, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

Killin MRT always use this poster as a reminder. How many folk tell me their boots are so comfy that they keep them going as long as possible. Yet many I see over the years soles have worn so bad … Continue reading →

Posted in Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Views Mountaineering | 5 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

My first years at Kinloss what an apprenticeship!

Posted on May 5, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

Thanks for all the comments on the blog on Kinloss. When I look back on my first years at Kinloss with the MRT. It was some period in my life. What an introduction to so many great folks. Within the … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Enviroment, Equipment, Friends, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | 2 Comments

Mountaineering History The old Abseil posts on Carn Mor Dearg

Posted on May 2, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

Nearly 10 years ago I wrote this “The mountaineering press tells us that the Abseil posts from Carn Mor Dearg into Coire Leis have been removed. The eight abseil posts leading down from the Carn Mor Dearg arête into Coire … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Well being | 2 Comments

At last a day in the Cairngorms – The Runnel in the Northern Corries of the Cairngorm.

Posted on April 15, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

At last we are allowed to get out on the hills away from my local are . Myself and my old mate Dan took advantage of that to climb in the Cairngorms. I was aware that it’s still winter high … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Avalanche info, Enviroment, Equipment, Friends, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, Recomended books and Guides, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | Leave a comment

A sad few day in the Cairngorms – The loss of a good friend. The great blizzard of 1984.

Posted on April 7, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

I often wandered into the Northern Corries with many friends who wanted an insight into mountaineering. Its a stunning place as the road pre – COVID would a low level a short walk into the coires and the plateau. Its … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Avalanche info, Books, Friends, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, PTSD, Recomended books and Guides | 4 Comments

A few thoughts on Big Lowers on the cliffs .

Posted on March 5, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

I was looking back after my friend Lee Wales wrote up his memories of his first big lower on Ben Nevis on a blog a few days ago. It made me think back to my early days in the 70,s. … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Friends, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, Rock Climbing, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment