Category Archives: mountain safety

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

Out of the wind on Ben Nevis – Right hand gully Moonlight Gully Buttress. Waterfall Gully, The Curtain, Douglas Boulder Tower Scoop etc.

Posted on January 24, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

The weather on Ben Nevis can be fickle and when we ran our annual winter course we were often met by high winds. When the big routes were out due to weather we usually managed to get a route lower … Continue reading →

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

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

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

Tricky winter hills – Beinn a Chaorainn.

Posted on January 9, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

I was speaking to a winter mountaineer the other day about Beinn a Chaorainn. A Munro on the Laggan road that is often combined with Beinn Teallach. He was unaware that on poor conditions Beinn a Chaorainn can be a … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Avalanche info, Books, Family, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Recomended books and Guides, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Weather, 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

What’s your best Winter climb for the Mid range winter climber? A few of mine – Tower Ridge, Hadrian’s Wall, Comb and Green Gully plus many more.

Posted on January 6, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

After looking at The Classic Cold Climbs my mind was taken back to favourite winter climbs. To me it was about my companions and the day. I was so lucky to have climbed many routes before the crowds came in … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Ice climbing Canada, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Recomended books and Guides, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment

Learning from Lochnagar.

Posted on January 4, 2022 by heavywhalley.MBE

Lochnagar is a wonderful cliff and it has so many incredible memories. In winter especially it’s a majestic mountain and comes into its own. This is from UK climbing. To me they are wonderful words. “Of all Scotland’s iconic winter … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Avalanche info, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Recomended books and Guides, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Well being | 4 Comments

Happy New Year all. What’s your best New Year climb or walk?

Posted on December 31, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

It’s that time again and I am lucky enough to be on the West coast. The weather has not been great with a big thaw on plus some heavy rain. Yet it’s a great place to be. The hills have … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Corbetts, Friends, Health, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | 6 Comments