Category Archives: Views Mountaineering

SARDA Scotland – Annual

Posted on March 25, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

This weekend I am down at Fort Williamwith SARDA SCOTLAND on their Annual Assessment. The dogs, handlers and bodies work so hard to get the Dogs and handlers assessed. They had already completed a full days assessment when I arrived … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Friends, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

Monday washing day in Tibet. A tale of a bothy on Everest !

Posted on March 20, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Is there a better back drop to dry your gear than this view of Everest. Everything was still covered in sand even after a good wash, We were in Tibet for 3 months hard living but we had our secret … Continue reading →

Posted in Bothies, Himalayas/ Everest, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, People, Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment

The great improvements in weather/ Avalanche/ forecasting.

Posted on March 15, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

In my early days in the RAF Mountain Rescue we got a weather forecast from the local RAF MET office. It was handy but mainly designed mainly for aircraft flying. It came in at weekends by our High Frequency radios … Continue reading →

Posted in Avalanche info, Enviroment, Equipment, Media, mountain safety, Mountaineering, People, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering, Weather, Well being | Leave a comment

Glenelg MRT – 50 Th ANNIVERSARY.

Posted on March 11, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Glenelg MRT formed just after I joined RAF MRT over the years I attended many incidents with them. The late Doctor Cathy McInnes helped form the team. The area they cover is vast and described below. Covering some of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

Dave Nichols – Marine Mountaineer, motivator.

Posted on March 10, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

David Nichols was a man I met through the mountains. He was on Everest with one of my best pals Al McLeod who fell and was killed whilst soling the North Face of the Matterhorn. He ended up a Brigadier … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, Expeditions - Alaska - Himalayas etc, Mountain rescue, Mountaineering, Views Mountaineering, Well being | Leave a comment

Winters back.

Posted on March 7, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Be careful the winter is back I travelled down to Ayr yesterday early morning there was fresh snow on tops.on the way back there was heavy snow on the hills and as darkness fell the hills were very white. On … Continue reading →

Posted in Avalanche info, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Views Mountaineering, Weather | Leave a 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

Koflach Boots a piece of history.

Posted on March 3, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

I bought my first pair of Koflach in the early 80’s for a ice climbing trip to Canada. What a huge difference they made. Despite temperatures of minus 25 I had no more cold or wet feet. They also had … Continue reading →

Posted in Friends, Gear, Mountaineering, Scottish winter climbing., Views Mountaineering | 6 Comments

The high cost of mountaineering gear?

Posted on March 2, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

I was shocked at the price of mountaineering gear recently as I wandered round the climbing shops . Yet much of the clothing is now a fashion item worn by many in the High Street. Many tell me good gear … Continue reading →

Posted in Clothing, Gear, Views Mountaineering | 13 Comments

Wandering alone on the hills.A few tips.

Posted on February 28, 2023 by heavywhalley.MBE

Over the last few years I really enjoyed being alone on the hill. My last big day was before winter on the Fannichs. I could go at my own pace, stop when I wanted and admire the views. You see … Continue reading →

Posted in Friends, Gear, mountain safety, Mountaineering, Views Mountaineering, Well being | 5 Comments