Blogs

NS7P's picture

NS7P activation of Timber Butte on May 17, 2016

Summit: 
W7O/WV-071

Timber Butte is a 2 point, 3650' asl summit about 19 miles north of Lowell, OR.  It is crowned by a converted lookout tower. This converted structure is available as a rental cabin, which is available for rent on a daily basis from mid May through mid September.A gate blocks the road up to the cabin/summit.

K7MAS's picture

SOTA Activation - Chewelah Mountain, Stevens County, Washington - May 13, 2016

Summit: 
W7W/ST-006

Three Wild Turkey Winners! On a springtime outing to the Spokane, Washington region, we activated three (3) SOTA Summits in the mountains north of the City of Spokane.  The reference to Wild Turkeys is on account of seeing numerous of the large wild birds that almost became the National Symbol of USA.  See: http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/National-Wildlife/Birds/Archives/2007/Americas-First-Bird-Controversy.aspxWe chose this area, as there were several SOTA Summits that were easily accessible from the 2 alpine ski resorts north of Spokane: Mount Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park and 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort.  This is report 3 of 3, detailing the Activation of Chewelah Mountain.

K7MAS's picture

SOTA Activation - Quartz Mountain, Spokane County, Washington - May 12, 2016

Summit: 
W7W/WE-012

Three Wild Turkey Winners! On a springtime outing to the Spokane, Washington region, we activated three (3) SOTA Summits in the mountains north of the City of Spokane.  The reference to Wild Turkeys is on account of seeing numerous of the large wild birds that almost became the National Symbol of USA.  See: http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/National-Wildlife/Birds/Archives/2007/Americas-First-Bird-Controversy.aspxWe chose this area, as there were several SOTA Summits that were easily accessible from the 2 alpine ski resorts north of Spokane: Mount Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park and 490 North Mountain Resort.  This is report 2 of 3, detailing the Activation of Quartz Mountain.

K7MAS's picture

SOTA Activation - Jump Off Joe (AKA: Mount Spokane), Spokane County, Washington - May 12, 2016

Summit: 
W7W/WE-006

Three Wild Turkey Winners!  On a springtime outing to the Spokane, Washington region, we activated three (3) SOTA Summits in the mountains north of the City of Spokane.  The reference to Wild Turkeys is on account of seeing numerous of the large wild birds that almost became the National Symbol of USA.  See: http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/National-Wildlife/Birds/Archives/2007/Americas-First-Bird-Controversy.aspxWe chose this area, as there were several SOTA Summits that were easily accessible from the 2 alpine ski resorts north of Spokane: Mount Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park and 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort.  This is report 1 of 3, detailing the Activation of Mount Spokane.

NS7P's picture

NS7P activation of Mount June, 8 May 2016

Summit: 
W7O/WV-042

My wife and I set out on 8 May 2016 to activate Mount June, W7O/WV-042. This is a moderately difficult hike to the top of a 4620’ summit.

NS7P's picture

NS7P activation of Holland Point on 13 May 2016

Summit: 
W7O/WV-017

I activated Holland Point, W7O/WV-017, on 13 May 2016. This is typically an easy hike to the top of the 1542 m (5057') Cascade foothill south of Cottage Grove, OR.  The directions are given below.  However, there can be obstacles early in the season before crews have cleared downed trees from the roads.  That was the problem I ran into.

k3og's picture

First time SOTA activation for operator and summit

Summit: 
W7W/KG-091

I got up early and left my home QTH near Redmond with a mountain bike in the car along with a heavy backpack full of food water and batteries. I knew the weather was supposed to change to showers later in the day but what a beautiful sunrise as I neared the trailhead off of the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River Road.  The construction along the road is ongoing and road connditions seem to change every week but I have no troubles with my low clearance electric car.

K7MAS's picture

SOTA Activation - Granite Mountain, King County, Washington - May 6, 2016

Summit: 
W7W/KG-037

Springtime dandy in Central Washington Cascade Mountains!  A weekday (Friday) activation of Granite Mountain, together with Tim Nair, KG7EJT.  Granite Mountain, 5,629 feet elevation, with 3,800 feet elevation gain and 8.6 miles RT, is located near the Denny Creek area, off exit 74, I-90, near Snoqualmie Pass.  Tim and I had previously Activated Granite Mountain during the winter of 2015.  This time we also had great weather, some mushy snow slogging, stupendous views and inquisitive hikers at the summit, which all combined for another fine Activation!

AE7AP's picture

Albert Point, MT | May, 2016 (5.3 mi., +2,400 ft, -400 ft)

Summit: 
W7M/LM-139

This is a nice spring hike on good trails.  To get there from Missoula:


 

K7MK's picture

Wind Mountain, WA | August 2015

Summit: 
W7W/LC-146

Wind Mountain is a great hike with fantastic views near Hood River Oregon.  It is on the Washington State side of the river so your will need to cross the toll bridge to the Washington side if you are coming from Hood River, OR.

The toll is $1 I think and is well worth the price of admission for Wind Mountain.  You will pass the parking for Dog Mtn on the way to Wind Mtn if coming from Hood River.  Dog Mtn is another popular hike to a SOTA summit.