After last week’s trip to FL/VO, which was great fun, it was back to something a little bit more strenuous on Sunday with EI/IW-010 Binn Idir an Da Log, high point of the Maamturks in Connemara, 702m (10 points). Despite its relatively modest elevation, this is fairly rugged country. Typical of the Maamturks it is steep sided with a rocky summit, requiring a bit of scrambling.
The route started from Mamean car park, followed the Western Way trail as far as the grotto and then turn left up the steep slope to Binn Chaonaigh (633m). From there, it’s down to the col and up the slope to Binn Idir and Da Log SE Top. From there transverse across a series of outcrops before reaching the summit.
Bin Chaonaigh with Binn Idir an Da Log in the distance
On Bin Chaonaigh
Bin Idir an Da Log SE Top from final climb to EI/IW-010 summit.
At summit, with the eastern side of the Twelve Bens (EI/IW-009, EI/IW-013) in the distance
There is a little grassy area just below the summit where I set up. Equipment used was a KX2, 40-30-20m trapped EFHW. Power was from a Zippy 4200mAh Lifepo4 (which I managed to keep out of the clutches of Security at Basel-Mulhouse last week, when they suggested it was a scooter battery. I showed them the KX2 and said ‘Radio Ham’ - that look of slight pity came upon them and battery was returned).
Conditions on HF were pretty poor with very weak signals and heavy qsb. 30m cw brought 10 qso’s, the highlight of which was s2s with Pedro, CT1DBS/P on CT/BA-018. 20m cw brought just 4 more, and I managed just one ssb qso on 20m with Ed, DD5LP. No luck at all on 40m.
Total time up and down including activation was just over 6 hours. Conditions were very warm throughout. Apart from the slow Sunday afternoon traffic on the way back to Galway city, it was a great day out - highly recommended.
73, John EI3KA