Many due to Malen (VE6VID) – Canada’s first SOTA Double Mountain Goat – who shares the next article about his journey in Alberta, British Columbia, Washington and Montana. Malen and I work collectively and I can learn this in his voice – together with his laid-back “Oh effectively…” – Vince.
As a SOTA activator I problem myself for sure objectives yearly. This 12 months was SOTA completes the place I chase and activate a summit. I had day off work so I figured, why not a brief roadtrip from Alberta to BC to WA, then MT and again dwelling? After some looking I figured 5-7 Completes in W7W land and at the very least 2 extra in W7M lands in addition to quite a few factors in VE7 land alongside the best way. Was I ever mistaken…..
Day One
After a visit to the submit workplace, I departed Strathmore heading for PlumBob Mountain VE7/EK-026, a 6 level drive-up summit. Google instructed me 4 hrs, 42 minutes, I deliberate for five hours. It took nearer to eight hours resulting from visitors.
I setup my HF station (KX2, EFHW) and bought 4 contacts, packed up and onto one other 6 level drive-up summit, VE7/EK-040 Peak 23-35. This peak I landed 6 contacts between 20 and 40 metres, packing up because the solar began to go down. I had deliberate to spend the night time right here, so I had a late supper, made my mattress and crashed for the night time. Sleeping like an previous over the hill child I woke because the solar was arising.
Day Two
Nonetheless I had woken as much as a damaged window on my cover. I’m unsure what occurred nevertheless it was open for the night time. After many curse phrases I made breakfast and low, then I relaxed barely whereas Googling auto glass locations in Cranbrook. After packing up and a fast telephone name, I’m off for repairs. Estimate was 2 hours for the repairs, it took simply 1.5 hours with tinted plexiglass put in. I had deliberate for a 3 summit day, so I misplaced 1, Mount Baker, a 8 level drive-up, oh effectively.
Off to hike Keen Hill VE7/EK-048 4 factors. Straight to organising and getting the required 4 contacts earlier than packing up and charging on with my day. After a Timmies pit cease and topping of the truck with diesel, I’m off to the subsequent summit.
VE7/EK-041 Peak 15-46 is one other drive-up that requires some talent to do. Once I hit the summit, I observed the abundance of glass at the back of the truck, oh effectively. After organising it was good to listen to that the band circumstances have been lastly in my favour, 9 contacts. With a fast teardown I’m again on the highway in the direction of the carwash in Creston to scrub out the glass. I opted to hoover as a substitute of spraying water within the again as I’ve been sleeping again there. Whereas driving I used to be listening to the native radio station, catching the forecast. Oh nice, 90 % likelihood of thunderstorms in a single day and into Wednesday. The night time’s tenting spot was the trailhead for Mouille Peak VE7/CK-023. Hmm, change of plans, so Seattle right here I come. After clearing customs I’m on my strategy to Spokane for the night time.
Day Three
After stopping at a Love’s truckstop and a good stressed sleep, I topped of the truck with gasoline, espresso for me, then I used to be on the highway. I had deliberate to activate Snoqualmie Peak W7W/KG-015 on Friday, however I hoped for this present day, it’s not occurring. Between the rain and building it was a no go. Oh effectively, naptime within the passenger’s seat for a number of hours, then off to my resort.
Day 4
Thursday was one other deliberate busy activating day that delivered as deliberate with some ache and blood thrown in alongside the best way. First up was Younger Love W7W/SN-174, a 1 pointer that requires bushwhacking. Nicely, bushwhacking it was, not the W7A bushwhacking however the thorns drawing blood variety. I bought 4 contacts and off to the subsequent summit. Mt Electrical W7W/KG-141 was very nice hike up a highway, then a brief bushwhack to the AZ. I bought my required contacts then gone to meet-up with WW7D Darryl for the final of the day. Union Hill W7W/KG-142 was robust for contacts, however I lastly bought 4.
Then Darryl tempted me with a suggestion I couldn’t refuse, chilly draft beer. As soon as on the brewery, I observed blood on my pants, oh effectively. Josh WU7H joined us and the everyday SOTA / ham radio talks ensued. Again to my resort to seek out out the extent of my injury apart from torn pants.
After cleansing up the bloodletting on my legs, I reviewed my plans for Friday the 13th. What might go mistaken, proper?? Hmm.
Day 5
For Friday I had deliberate to return to KG-015, then a 6 hour drive to W7M land. I hit the summit of the cross to seek out it was dense fog and chilly. Screw it! I grabbed a espresso and a fats capsule [Malen’s word for a Donut – Vince] and headed east in the direction of Patrick’s Knob W7M/LO-046.
And guess what?? I’m following Google in the direction of the summit and the nearer I used to be attending to it, the more severe the climate was turning. Ugh. After stopping and getting out of the truck to virtually blow me over winds, I remembered it’s Friday the thirteenth. After a fast textual content to Jesse VE6JTW, I headed for dwelling defeated.
Once I hit the dreaded Canada Customs sales space, I discovered a pleasing younger girl who simply posted there. After the obligatory questions she proceeded to quiz me about native favorite hikes, and ham radio. Hmm, issues are trying up, perhaps a brand new ham and activator…..
So, a number of stats:
Factors – activator – 27
Summits activated – 7
S2S factors – 10
Completes – 3
Now – off for extra planning.
Cheers,
Malen VE6VID
