A four (4) point SOTA Summit, close in to Seattle Metro area. This makes a great first Activation objective. A quick return trip outing, just before the weather turned bad. We still ended the Activation early, as it started raining. Accompanied by my wife Sharon and our Labrador Retriever Dexter the SOTA Dog.
A return Activation of Norse Peak. This time I was with Tim Nair, KG7EJT, two other non-Ham friends, Neal & Sherri, and Dexter the SOTA Dog. On probably the hottest day of the summer, 2015, we escaped the heat of the lowlands by starting relatively early, choosing an objective with substantial tree canopy and being at nearly 7,000 feet elevation. Good company, lively conversation and a successful Activation made for another memorable SOTA outing.
An Activation...yes. A great trip...undoubtedly! However no points to show for the effort, as I only managed to eke out 3 + contacts on 40M ssb... Yet I do not consider it a failure. I will return again, and give it another try. Round trip travel was 13.1 miles, with something over 4,000 feet gain, including some ups and downs along the very long summit ridge. Highlights included portions of the Wonderland Trail of Mount Rainier Park, a few creek crossings of the wildly flowing Fryingpan Creek, replete with slippery boulder hopping leaps, and being able to spend time with my son, KC7SQD, who was up visiting from LA LA Land.
On the first day of Summer, 2015, a short and easy hike up to a lookout tower providing one of the best views of Mount Rainier. Shady forest walk, a beautiful lake and a final ascent to a lookout tower that is periodically still manned. A fine weather Sunday made for crowds, however 90% + of hikers stop at the lookout tower, which is not quite the actual summit of Tolmie Peak.
A dual Activation weekend trip with my friend Tim Nair, KG7EJT, and Dexter the SOTA Dog. This report covers mountain number 2, Three Brothers West, activated on Sunday May 31, 2015. The weather was very nice, company great and success on both peaks made for a memorable, if strenuous outing. The Greater Teanaway River Basin and surrounding mountains offer more than 15 SOTA Summits, and are a favorite of area of Tim and me.
A dual Activation weekend trip with my friend Tim Nair, KG7EJT, and Dexter the SOTA Dog. This report covers mountain number 1, Navaho Peak, activated on Saturday May 30, 2015. The weather was very nice, company great and success on both peaks made for a memorable, if strenuous outing. The Greater Teanaway River Basin and surrounding mountains offer more than 15 SOTA Summits, and are a favorite of area of Tim and me.
Nice weather, good company and a successful Activation (including a summit to summit contact with VE7DB on VE7/FV-024) were high points. The route was not terribly ascetic, and the summit block is a large pile of Basalt talus. We elected to operate from the false summit to the southeast of the summit block. This was a joint Activation with Tim Nair, KG7EJT. Joining us was Masako, Tim's wife and Sharon, my wife. Rounding out the crew was Dexter the SOTA Dog.
Reprise on Jester Mountain, exactly 8 months later. We originally activated Jester on September 3, 2014. This time I returned with a different crew, and in a different season: Spring. The flowers were out, the views were incredible as usual, and the weather was sunny, with a slight cooling breeze which kept it very pleasant. Good company, successful Activation and sections of beautiful flower blooms made for a very nice outing.
A very nice springtime activation of Squak Mountain, 2,024 Feet, 617 Meters elevation, a 2 point SOTA summit. This was a return trip to work HF, as opposed the all 2M FM I used on my first activation of Squak, a little less than a year ago. We also ascended via the much less crowded East Ridge Trail, through nice old growth evergreen trees, and the lush green growth of spring. I highly recommend the East Ridge route on Squak!
Winter Activation of Red Top Mountain Lookout together with Tim Nair, KG7EJT. Red Top Mountain Lookout is 5,361 feet elevation (1,634 meters), and is located approximately 15 miles NNE of Cle Elum, Washington. There have been several activations of Red Top Mountain before, but none in winter. Great weather, very manageable snow, great views and good company, including Dexter the SOTA Dog, made for a fine activation!