Category Archives: Rock Climbing

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

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

Classic ice tools

Posted on January 18, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

Old ice tools- Chounaird Climax and Chounaird Zero These axes were incredible for their size they were designed by the great icon of ice climbing Yvonne Chounaird. They were the state of the art at the time. Bill March the … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment, Gear, History, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Views Mountaineering, Wildlife | 3 Comments

“The Hill” Creag Dubh and a big fall.

Posted on December 20, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

From my diary “We had just had a great wedding for one of the team. It was Sept 1983 . Next day a few of us headed over to Creag Dubh at Newtonmore. A steep serious roadside cliff near Newtonmore.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Well being | 2 Comments

The Steps of a Giant – new book due out soon. Scottish mountain Trust

Posted on December 8, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Announcing another of our events at Fort William Mountain Festival 2024! Raeburb has always been a hero of mine and if you see his routes and climb them think of the gear and the exploration involved. This is what the … Continue reading →

Posted in Clothing, History, Mountaineering, Recomended books and Guides, Rock Climbing, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering | Leave a comment

John Hugo Valley MRT RIP.

Posted on November 26, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

I just heard that John Hugo had passed away in Cyprus. He was one of my young teammates when I was at North Wales as full time Deputy Team leader. I was so overconfident in these days pushing the new … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Friends, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Scottish winter climbing., Well being | 4 Comments

A windy wander to The Old Man of Hoy.

Posted on September 29, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

This was our last day in Orkney we were up early to get the ferry. I was feeling not great and the weather forecast was poor with very high winds. The wee ferry was fine and we took the car … Continue reading →

Posted in Enviroment, Equipment, Friends, Islands, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Views Political?, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Orkney a visit to Yesnaby . Sea stacks and memories.

Posted on September 28, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

This was one of the places in Orkney I wanted to revisited. When your younger you race about in places like this. They become another tick in a list. You are chasing tides and have so many other things on … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Gear, Islands, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Rock Climbing, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | 2 Comments

Demo Route Sennen

Posted on September 16, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

It is 12 years since I completed my routes in The book Classic Rock by Ken Wilson. I had never been a great climber but this book opened my eyes to many of the great climbing areas of the UK. … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Mountaineering, Recomended books and Guides, Rock Climbing, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

The Maidens – Tom Patey’s Last climb.

Posted on September 4, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Sea stacks have always been a good part of my adventures. There is a great history about these wonderful places, Each has a unique history and story.. The Maidens are just of the Durness Peninsular. A remote but wonderful place. … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Friends, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Recomended books and Guides, Rock Climbing, Views Mountaineering | 2 Comments