Category Archives: Scottish winter climbing.

Ben Nevis a grand day one winter

Posted on March 4, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

I loved reading about climbs on the Ben especially in winter. I had always wanted to climb the Curtain an early steep ice climb. It had always intimidated me as there were some “ exciting “ photos of it in … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Scottish winter 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

I spent today not feeling great and taking it easy and trying to get over my mind sorted. I ended up reflecting on a magic days on An Teallach with great friends. How do you explain about the mountains and especialy of An Teallach. The views are stunning and a short walk along the path opens up a new world at every turn. This mountain has so many mysteries so many ridges and tops you will never understand all it’s secrets. Every year it’s buttresses and cliffs open up to a new generation of climbers making any visit a long mountain day and a special place to be the wild North West. It is a serious area to be especially in winter and in wild weather and is well served by the local Dundonnel Mountain Rescue Team.

Posted on February 21, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

Many of these walks and climbs became a classic in my days with the RAF Mountain rescue team.The classic Traverse is one of the best. The young troops enjoyed this route and it became a right of passage for some. … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Friends, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Munros, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Well being | 3 Comments

Another piece of history SMC Journals

Posted on February 6, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

Yesterday I gave my SMC Journals to Robin Clothier a SMC s stalwart. There was nearly;80;years worth. They gave me so much enjoyment and back ground on my Statistician. Robin a is connoisseur.Of mountaineering despite being a great climber he … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Books, Clothing, Corbetts, Corbetts and other hills, Enviroment, Friends, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Munro Society, Munros, People, Recomended books and Guides, SARDA, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering | 3 Comments

Wild weather – The risk to you or as a leader A few thoughts ?

Posted on January 21, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

It was due to being a mountaineer and a Mountain Rescue Team Leader in my early days I was a risk taker. Not in the climbing sense at first but being over 150 days a years sometimes out in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Clothing, Enviroment, Equipment, Friends, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment

12 days of Snowledge – from Scottish Mountain Rescue.

Posted on January 16, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

❄️ The 12 Days of Snowledge ❄️ Day 6: Essential kit for winter mountain adventures ☃️ Epic winter adventures are even more fun when you are well prepared and have clothing and equipment suitable for the conditions. If you’re heading … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Avalanche info, Clothing, Gear, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Scottish winter climbing., Well being | Leave a comment

Waterfall Gully Ben Nevis A day with the “wee man”

Posted on January 13, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

Now my wee piece on Zero Gully reminded me of a fun day on Waterfall Gully on Carn Dearg Ben Nevis. It was first climbed by a group of National Service climbers based in the RAF Mountain Rescue Team at … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Avalanche info, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Scottish winter climbing., Weather, Well being | 2 Comments

My very early days on steep ice. Introduction Zero Gully Ben Nevis.

Posted on January 12, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

Cold Climbs first published 1983 The Great Snow and Ice Climbs of the British Isles Ken Wilson,Dave Alcock Ice climbing generates tales of gripping drama and this book (in the same anthology / guidebook / photo format as the rock-climbing … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Avalanche info, Books, Equipment, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Scottish winter climbing., Weather | 7 Comments

Fort William mountain Festival. Thurs day 15 Feb

Posted on January 10, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

MEET OUR LEGENDS 🏔️ 🥳Celebrating Excellence in Mountain Culture Come along on Thursday 15th of February to kick start the weekend and help us celebrate our 20th birthday with a night of inspiring stories, a complimentary nip of Gin from … Continue reading →

Posted in Aircraft incidents, Articles, Avalanche info, Books, Enviroment, Equipment, Friends, Media, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

A tale of a fall on Poachers Fall Torridon.

Posted on January 5, 2024 by heavywhalley.MBE

It had been a long few months I was pretty tired after running the Annual RAF Winter Course 2 weeks for me of big worries in Ben Nevis, Glencoe and the Cairngorms. All those young tigers climbing I was often … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Friends, Ice climbing Canada, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment