Category Archives: SAR

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

Happy Christmas / Dog Tales – Exiled in England and then the return to Scotland.

Posted on December 25, 2020 by heavywhalley.MBE

Chapter 3 In 1982 Heavy was posted to RAF Innsworth near Gloucester there was no Mountain Rescue team nearby. It was awful and when we arrived Heavy was told that no dogs were allowed on the station by the Station … Continue reading →

Posted in Bothies, Corbetts and other hills, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Munros, Rock Climbing, SAR, Views Mountaineering, Weather | 2 Comments

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

Ben A Bhuird the Oxford Crash Ben Avon and other tales.

Posted on September 2, 2019 by heavywhalley.MBE

The Last Flight. Lost then Found This great mountain along with Beinn Avon is one we climbed on a lot in summer and winter, I got to know it during 1973 when we completed a winter foray in February with … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Books, Mountaineering, Munros, People, Recomended books and Guides, SAR, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Wildlife | 1 Comment

The Falklands – a winter climb on Harriet.

Posted on August 12, 2019 by heavywhalley.MBE

I was privileged to spend two tours in the Falklands when I was in the RAF. It is a wonderful place for wildlife and mountains. Most of the popular peaks are less than 1000 feet and were the scene of … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Equipment, Expeditions - Alaska - Himalayas etc, Falklands Islands, Friends, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, SAR, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Views Political?, Weather, Well being, Wildlife | Leave a comment

The Golden years of Military SAR.

Posted on May 30, 2019 by heavywhalley.MBE

It’s hard to believe when I found this First Day cover on a tidy up that the military had all these assets available The Nimrod, The SAR helicopters and 6 RAF Mountain Rescue Teams. Nothing stays the same and things … Continue reading →

Posted in Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, SAR | 2 Comments

Headed home. Snowy Ossian and the Stag at Ossian a bit of a celebrity now after an article in the Sunday Post. Be aware heavy snow and wind.

Posted on March 10, 2019 by heavywhalley.MBE

Old age does not come easy and the Hostel was a bit busy and I found out that I was not booked my mistake. More of the club were arriving via Culra and some Munro’s. The weather would be wild … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Avalanche info, Book, Books, Bothies, Corbetts, Corbetts and other hills, Cycling, Enviroment, Equipment, Family, Friends, Gear, Local area and events to see, medical, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, SAR, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather | Leave a comment

Thank you for those that came to the Moray Club talk on Mountain Safety in Elgin.

Posted on February 27, 2019 by heavywhalley.MBE

I had said I would do a talk to the club about Mountain Safety mainly winter skills for my Mountaineering club. It was held in the Drouthy Cobbler last night. As the winter is fading but could easy comeback we … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Bothies, Enviroment, Equipment, Family, Friends, Local area and events to see, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Munros, People, Rock Climbing, SAR, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Wildlife | Leave a comment