DL7CX’s recent post about his trip to Corsica inspired me to write this (Olaf, let us know if TK/TK-124 was your favourite 1-pointer activation ever ). 1-pointers don’t get as much attention as higher-point summits, but they can still be amazing. What’s your favourite 1-point activation? Maybe it was the number or type of QSOs that made it special, or perhaps the climb itself or the views from the summit?
I’ll start with mine. On my first trip to Sicily with my younger son, I chose a 1-pointer near the sea that had never been activated. On the map, it didn’t look like much — but it turned out to be exceptional: a great walk up an overgrown path with stunning views along the way and from the top. Even for my son, it remains one of the highlights of the trip.
Well, I’m sure I’m not alone among the operators here in S. Germany who miss very much the easier 1-pointers which have been deleted from the SOTA DL regions in the last few years.
These summits were perfect for those very cold winter days, or in general for the not-so-active OM’s among us. But, these summits are no longer available to enjoy (think about that word for a moment) for what they were, and have been relegated to the dustbin of history for what they are - irrelevancies which do not fit the “objective” standards of the professional missionaries of prominence rectitude in this so-called amateur hobby. Long live the bean-counters and rules-bound troglodytes!
I,ve never counted beans and I don’t live in a cave, but I consider it a virtue to abide by the rules of any organisation that I engage with. That includes GR 3.7.3.3, a rule that you have disregarded twice in one day.
My favourite, (certainly the most memorable 1-pointer activation) might be Mynydd Bodafon GW/NW-071, which I activated just once in August 2017.
The summit is only a short walk up from the car park, and quite small in area.
It was a warm sunny day with little wind.
The heather was in full bloom and seemed to be alive with bees and butterflies, the air full of the scent of nectar. Magical, I don’t recall experiencing anywhere else quite like it.
I made a few contacts on 2m FM, but it is the “just being there” that stays with me!
Mine is G/WB-009, Worcestershire Beacon. Walk the spine of the Malvern Hills to that summit and you have the feel of a major mountain, but look down and the roofs of Great Malvern look ridiculously close!
For me, you can’t beat those sit adjacent to the sea! Mynydd Enlli GW/NW-072 (Bardsey Island) and Ailsa Craig GM/SS-256 were amazing experiences. I once had a memorable day on the Isle of Wight activating St Boniface Down G/SE-008 and Brighstone Down G/SE-012 entirely using the island’s bus service. On the Isle of Anglesey, Holyhead Mountain GW/NW-069 and Mynydd Bodafon GW/NW-071 are pleasant with stunning views. There’s Rojar EA8/TF-019 which is pretty, as are the 1 pointers around the Inishowen peninsular in Co. Donegal, Ireland (EI/IN region).
When I am asked about which has been my favourite activation, I rep[y “all of 573 of them”, but in my mind Hownan Law GM/SS-197 holds a special place. Amazing as there is absolutely nothing special about this grassy hill in the Scottish border lowlands. It was fine when I made my ascent, but cloud rolled in all around me and I could see the Cheviots Hills in northern England getting a pasting. I was fine where I was… indeed I spent most of the activation lying on my back operating looking up at the sky. Maybe being one with nature made it special.
I met Jim G0CQK on the descent and later worked him on Hownam Law on 2m, 70cm and 23cm from my next summit, Linton Hill GM/SS-263.
Edit: The route up Hownam Law from the east has metal ramps over the fences to allow the farmer to drive his quad bike up and over the fence while keeping livestock where they should be. I don’t recall any other access route to a SOTA summit having these.
For me Chaipaval GM/SI-129 was fabulous, with St. Kilda visible on the horizon and beautiful beaches below.
Ardsheal hill GM/WS-341 a close second with the view up Loch Linnhe and Ben Nevis too.
Andy
I will quite happily arrange a trip from Wigan to do just this summit (110miles), passing much larger summits in the Eryi National Park along the way. Last activation for me, the first qso was at 09:48 and last at 16:24 showing almost 7 hours activation period across multiple bands (including 3 satellite qsos).
It has great views, easy to qualify , generally better weather than the mainland. The only downside is you need to be creative with placement and guying of antennas due to the rocky ground.
I’ve not been this year, looks like it time to give my partner in crime a call
Maybe it was the moment, the weather, my state of mind but it was truly wonderful. The path is not great and it is probably best activated early in the year before the bracken gets too tall.
). 1-pointers don’t get as much attention as higher-point summits, but they can still be amazing. What’s your favourite 1-point activation? Maybe it was the number or type of QSOs that made it special, or perhaps the climb itself or the views from the summit?
but what was your most memorable activation of The Cloud Tom?
