Sunday: First Activation of OE/VB-234, Westliche Plattnitzerjochspitze, 10 Points

DK3IT · 13 October 2018 15:38

Dear all:
Tomorrow, I will try activate one previously not activated alpine 10-pointer in OE/VB. The exact summit is yet to be decided, will post details here later. All candidates require some real climbing (6-10 pitches), so we will need some time to get there. I think I will be QRV around 10:30 UTC. CW-only, but likely enough time for 40-30-20m.

73 de Martin, DK3IT

M0NOM · 13 October 2018 16:31

Good luck Martin, will hopefully be in a position to chase at some point tomorrow.

73 Mark M0NOM

DK3IT · 13 October 2018 22:01

Dear all,
ok, here are the details:

The summit will be Westliche Plattnitzerjochspitze, OE/VB-234
It is a ten-pointer, so far not activated.
Callsign will be OE/DK3IT/P
Frequencies 7.031 or 7.002 ±, 10.118 ±, 14.060 ±, CW only.
Please QRS 12 wpm.
Please spot me when you hear me.
I plan to be QRC around 11.00 UTC, but it can be -2 + 3 hrs or so, depending on how well our rope-handling will be.
We will be doing the East Ridge (UIAA III, one pitch IV-).

Thanks for chasing!

73 de Martin, DK3IT

DK3IT · 13 October 2018 22:01

Thanks!

DK3IT · 14 October 2018 20:44

Hi all,
I am back safe and sound; the activation was a success, including a DX to NA with @KA1R. I also almost managed a second DX QSO with @N4EX but did not hear his report for me, despite both of us trying hard. Next time.

The climb was a bit more challenging than assumed, because some of the UIAA III sections are facing northwards and were pretty slippery due to moisture and soil. But we made it.

Note that the SOTA summit is the Western one (SOTA Summits), while the Ostgrat (East Ridge) climbing ridge leads to the Eastern summit (formerly OE/VB-236, not longer a SOTA summit), so you have to traverse there before activating - we knew and planned for this.

73 de Martin, DK3IT

DK3IT · 15 October 2018 09:59

In lieu of a full activation report (sorry, no time), a few bullet points and pictures.

There is an easier ascent than the East Ridge; you can take the steep footpath that is the typical descent for all climbing routes, so this is doable for hikers with a bit of experience but no love for ropes and rocks).
The activation area is huge and you can set up a real antenna with ease.
The road to the Spullersee is blocked for individual traffic from ca. 8:00 - 16:00 during the season, when there is a bus service instead. Before and after and off-season, you can drive by car at any time. The fee is EUR 15, keep sufficient amounts of coins, the vending machine is unreliable with bank notes.
Route descriptions:
** Plattnitzer Jochspitze 2318 m (2318m): Aktuelle Verhältnisse vom 06.09.2018 auf der Route: Ostgrat für die Tourenplanung - www.gipfelbuch.ch
** Plattnitzer Jochspitze Alpenverein
** Plattnitzer Jochspitze (2316m), Ostgrat [hikr.org]

Thanks to all chasers!

73 de Martin, DK3IT

This is the traverse from the East Summit, where the climbing routes end, and the West Summit, which is the SOTA summit: