Category Archives: Recomended books and Guides

“Coffee first and then the world.”’Jenny Graham’s book on her world record breaking cycle trip round the world.

Posted on May 12, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

I was in Inverness last night listening,laughing and being humbled by Jenny Grahams wonderful talk on her Round the World record breaking trip. Her story was was warts and all. It took you into the dark places on her trip. … Continue reading →

Posted in Book, Books, Friends, Health, Lectures, Local area and events to see, Mountaineering, People, Recomended books and Guides, Well being | Leave a comment

Great – Question / Any advice for climbing middle grade routes in Skye?

Posted on May 10, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

I was over on Skye last week and asked for advice on routes on Skye. This was not about hard climbs but classics. I was so fortunate to climb a lot in Skye very regularly. I leaned so much I … Continue reading →

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

Loch Coruisk – Skye – a natural film set that only nature could produce.

Posted on May 8, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

To me Loch Coruisk holds many memories. On my first traverse of the Skye Ridge in 1972 it looked a wild place of wild water and dark cliffs. Next year I came over the main ridge Sgurr na Bannadich and … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Books, Bothies, Enviroment, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, Recomended books and Guides, Rock Climbing, Weather, Well being | 3 Comments

Binnein Shuas “my wee hill of well being “ Memories of Adverikie Wall.”

Posted on April 17, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Despite this being a small hill it’s a great wee walk. The mountain though only 747 metres was an ideal test for my battered body after ongoing problems with my liver and voicebox. The liver problem is something I will … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Corbetts and other hills, Friends, Health, Mountaineering, Other hills Grahams & Donalds, Recomended books and Guides, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment

Philip Tranter – No Tigers on the Hindu Kush. A bit of history of Philip Tranter.

Posted on April 5, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

I just re read this classic book it’s of an amazing trip to the Hindu Kush. I grew up with tales of Philip Tranter I saw his name in many Bothies in the early years of my mountaineering career. Sadly … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bothies, Friends, Himalayas/ Everest, People, Recomended books and Guides, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

Raeburns Arête -Ben Nevis

Posted on March 28, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

I love Ben Nevis it gave me so many great days. In summer it a different mountain. I used to enjoy climbing the Classic Ridges with young troops. North East Buttress is a grand route. It’s like a big Alpine … Continue reading →

Posted in Mountaineering, Recomended books and Guides, Rock Climbing, Scottish winter climbing., Weather | 1 Comment

Metal Ice Axes – A big change from Wooden shafted axes. The 1958 Zero Gully tragedy.

Posted on March 9, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

In the early days of winter climbing walking climbing axes were all wooden. As climbing in winter pushed standards some of the gear was extremely limited. There were only a few top climbers climbing at the highest grades. It was … Continue reading →

Posted in Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Recomended books and Guides, Scottish winter climbing. | 2 Comments

Jimmy Marshall – The Maister” King of The Ben.

Posted on March 4, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

I met Jimmy Marshall on a few occasions and he was already called “the Maisters” we I am sure we had a great night in Fort William after his presentation of the Mountain Culture Award in Fort William. Looking back … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Mountaineering, People, Recomended books and Guides, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering | Leave a comment

The effect of Mountaineering books.

Posted on February 11, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

What an insight mountaineering books brought to me as a young lad. It opened my eyes to what could be done in this wee country and abroad. Some of the writing is of it’s time but what an insight into … Continue reading →

Posted in Mountaineering, People, Recomended books and Guides, Scottish winter climbing. | 2 Comments

Boldness in winter climbing : an old picture from the past.

Posted on February 8, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

When your out climbing this winter with all the great gear about from ice axes to crampons , harnesses, ice screws, rock protection, superb clothing etc. Get your guide book out and look at the dates of the first ascents … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Recomended books and Guides, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | 2 Comments