Category Archives: SAR

Guilt or Gratitude missing out on big Callouts ? By Pete Kirkpatrick

Posted on March 20, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

GUILT OR GRATITUDE This is a interesting article that I think many of us in the Emergency Agencies who may feel they miss out on a big incident. This happens as family,holidays, sickness and many other things may stop you … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Lockerbie, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, SAR, SARDA, Views Political?, Well being | 1 Comment

Simple thing that may save your life in the wild places. A whistle.

Posted on February 20, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

In these days of mobile phones and Rescue beacons there is still a handy piece of simple kit that to me is invaluable. Yet there is one thing that I have found to still be a wonderful asset if your … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Enviroment, Equipment, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, SAR, SARDA, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

A few thoughts if you go missing on the hills.

Posted on February 15, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

I write this as a big storm is blowing across the mountains. Many will be going out despite the weather thinking winter is over. It was today as a photo I took on Beinn Liath Mhor near Achnashealach not far … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Munros, People, SAR, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | 4 Comments

Some good Winter advice about the mountains from the Police Lead for Mountain Rescue.

Posted on February 15, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Inspector Matt Smith, Police Scotland lead for mountain rescue, said, “Our volunteer and Police Mountain Rescue teams have dealt with a number of tragic incidents in recent weeks. It’s still winter, despite what it may look like further down. I’d … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, SAR, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment

In praise of SARDA ( Search and Rescue Dog Association)

Posted on February 13, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

When you look at most big mountain searches often little is said about SARDA. For many years they have been a great asset in the world of Mountain Rescue. Hamish McInnes and a few others helped bring the dogs use … Continue reading →

Posted in Friends, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, SAR, SARDA | Leave a comment

Ben Lui – Conish the Gold Mine and the Eas Anie waterfall and the ice climber alert !

Posted on March 24, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

I have been watching on BBC Scotland “Gold Town “ is about the mining for Gold near Tyndrum and the Gold mine near Conish Farm just below Ben Lui . The mine is actually on Beinn Chuirn 880 metres and … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Articles, Friends, Health, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Other hills Grahams & Donalds, People, Recomended books and Guides, SAR, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Views Political?, Well being, Wildlife | Leave a comment

1989 – A lucky escape the Sea King Crash at Creag Meaghaidh.

Posted on February 21, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

1989 – It was a hard winter we had lots of Call outs and were just getting over from the Lockerbie Disaster. The pace never stopped as we went from call out to call out all over Scotland. I had … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, SAR, Well being | 3 Comments

Looking Back / First Day Cover – RAF SAR Forces. August 1988. Battle of Britain Day.

Posted on January 7, 2021 by heavywhalley.MBE

In days past this photo was taken of a First Day Cover of the RAF Search and Rescue Forces for the Anniversary of the Battle of Britain in August 1988 In these days the Military SAR had Helicopters both Navy … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Friends, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, SAR | Leave a comment

Early start for Ben MacDui rewarded by a stunning day.

Posted on November 29, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

It’s been a hard week with losing Hamish MacInnes and a few other things going on. I looked at the forecast it was good for the Cairngorms. I decided to have a very early start and head for my local … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Munros, People, SAR, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Every photo tells a story. Friendships forged in the mountains.

Posted on October 25, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

Al died whilst soling on the the North Face of the Matterhorn a few years later. It was one of the hardest periods of my life getting him home. I have lost a good few pals in the mountains it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Expeditions - Alaska - Himalayas etc, Family, Friends, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, SAR, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Well being | 3 Comments