Heen was born in Hen, Møre og Romsdal, and worked as a tailor in nearby Åndalsnes.
[5][6][7] Heen was largely autodidact in mountaineering, and an unconventional outsider to a sport defined by Norsk Tindeklub in Oslo's western suburbs.
In 1958 he finally succeeded together with Ralph Høibakk, their only equipment was rope, 10 pitons, 6 carabiners and a hammer each.
Heen helped XU-agent Sven Sømme escape through a difficult mountain pass between Isfjorden and Eikesdalen.
Wood handed over detailed maps and photos of German military facilities along the coast between Stad and Bergen to Heen.