Category Archives: Mountain rescue

Great memories – Wreckers Slab

Posted on April 18, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

◦ I had a great day on this clip mb with my pal Pete Greening he lives in Cornwall and we spoke about great days climbing history has always enthralled me especially involving Tom Patey. He arranged a days out … Continue reading →

Posted in Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Well being | 1 Comment

The Beinn Eighe crash 14 March 1951

Posted on March 12, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

LANCASTER GR3 TX264 – CRASH ON SAIL MHOR, BEINN EIGHE ROSS AND CROMARTY, SCOTLAND – 14th March 1951 IN THE MEMORY OF THE CREW OF LANCASTER TX264 Its 73=years since the crash of the Lancaster on Beinn Eighe. I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Articles, Equipment, Family, Mountain rescue, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Tagged | 1 Comment

Self Reliance

Posted on March 9, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

Self reliance “Means reliance on your own powers rather than others.” It is what many of us call this is the “silly season” it’s already started in my mind. The daylight hours are now getting longer and the weather changing. … Continue reading →

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Ben Nevis a grand day one winter

Posted on March 4, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

I loved reading about climbs on the Ben especially in winter. I had always wanted to climb the Curtain an early steep ice climb. It had always intimidated me as there were some “ exciting “ photos of it in … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Scottish winter climbing., Well being | 1 Comment

Fionaven – A grand day out.

Posted on February 25, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

This is a grand mountain hill Fionaven  I love this mountain and I have been very lucky to climb it about 10 times. It is spectacular and can be seen for miles. The shattered quartzite makes the hill look white and … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Scottish winter climbing. | Leave a comment

I spent today not feeling great and taking it easy and trying to get over my mind sorted. I ended up reflecting on a magic days on An Teallach with great friends. How do you explain about the mountains and especialy of An Teallach. The views are stunning and a short walk along the path opens up a new world at every turn. This mountain has so many mysteries so many ridges and tops you will never understand all it’s secrets. Every year it’s buttresses and cliffs open up to a new generation of climbers making any visit a long mountain day and a special place to be the wild North West. It is a serious area to be especially in winter and in wild weather and is well served by the local Dundonnel Mountain Rescue Team.

Posted on February 21, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

Many of these walks and climbs became a classic in my days with the RAF Mountain rescue team.The classic Traverse is one of the best. The young troops enjoyed this route and it became a right of passage for some. … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Friends, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Munros, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Well being | 3 Comments

Another piece of history SMC Journals

Posted on February 6, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

Yesterday I gave my SMC Journals to Robin Clothier a SMC s stalwart. There was nearly;80;years worth. They gave me so much enjoyment and back ground on my Statistician. Robin a is connoisseur.Of mountaineering despite being a great climber he … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Clothing, Corbetts, Corbetts and other hills, Enviroment, Friends, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Munro Society, Munros, People, Recomended books and Guides, SARDA, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering | 3 Comments

Before Health & Safety ( Elf & Safety)

Posted on January 30, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

In the 59 years plus that I have been mountaineering there was limited guides or knowledge was not easy shared. Maps were basic unlike now. Weather forests were extremely basic and there was limited Avalanche information. The few books written … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Avalanche info, Clothing, Friends, Gear, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

Patience is a virtue

Posted on January 24, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

Short blog : it was a Wild night again a few slates of the roof. Many will be getting frustrated by the weather. It’s hard to sit and wait but hopefully it will calm down soon. Read the weather reports … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, SARDA, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment

Winds – the killer.

Posted on January 22, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

Today we are again in wild weather the winds are an incredible speed. To me and I have seen the effect of extreme winds its nature in the raw powerful and frightening. Many think they have been out in extreme … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Enviroment, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Views Mountaineering, Weather | Leave a comment