Category Archives: SMC/SMT

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

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

The Steps of a Giant – new book due out soon. Scottish mountain Trust

Posted on December 8, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Announcing another of our events at Fort William Mountain Festival 2024! Raeburb has always been a hero of mine and if you see his routes and climb them think of the gear and the exploration involved. This is what the … Continue reading →

Posted in Clothing, History, Mountaineering, Recomended books and Guides, Rock Climbing, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering | Leave a comment

Classic days. Chasing Munro’s. Top tip: savour them.

Posted on October 10, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

When I started getting out the mountains I was more interested in completing the Munro’s. Even in the 1970’s this was a tricky undertaking. There were limited guide books, no internet and lots of information was passed on from more … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Enviroment, Hill running and huge days!, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Munro Society, Munros, People, SMC/SMT, Views Political?, Well being | 2 Comments

Hamish MacInnes an appreciation of a life well lived.

Posted on August 20, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

I was going through a lot of old letters and found a few items Hamish sent me over the years it made me think of him as I do often. He was a hero of mine. Sadly we lost Hamish … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Equipment, Films, Mountain rescue, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, Recomended books and Guides, Rock Climbing, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Well being | 1 Comment

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

Down at the Fort William Mountain Festival.

Posted on February 18, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Yesterday was a wild day terrible winds all night battered my village on the North East coast. I had to travel after giving blood in Elgin in the early afternoon. There were many trees down but as I drove West … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Mountaineering, Munro Society, Munros, People, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | 2 Comments

Blessed are the path makers: Mountain paths but who should pay for there upkeep?

Posted on February 14, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Yesterday there was a program on radio Scotland on the maintenance of mountain paths on the Munro’s and who should play for them. The Question was that those who use the paths should pay for there upkeep. The usual questions … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Charity, Enviroment, Mountaineering, Munros, SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment

A wild day on Resurrection Sgurr Mor – The Fannichs a long time ago but the memories are still there.

Posted on February 13, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Many years ago in 1984 after I had just come back from a wonderful month ice climbing in Canada. I was with my mate Mark Sinclair “ Cheeky” he invited me out on what he said was a “wee route … Continue reading →

Posted in Ice climbing Canada, Mountaineering, Scottish winter climbing., SMC/SMT, Views Mountaineering, Well being | 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