Just wanted to share a few pics really.
I’ve had a desire to conquer Helvellyn G/LD-003 during winter for some time. I’ve had to cancel twice this year due to severe fog. I watched ‘Countryfile’ on BBC1 last Sunday and the long range forecast presented on the show was predicting high pressure, and cold temperatures towards the end of the week, I was very hopeful that I’d be able to attempt Helvellyn.
I have indeed been a very lucky boy today! A superb day on the hill. As a bonus, the MWIS forecast reverted to type and the high winds promised didn’t materialise (I find that the MWIS forecast tends to over-egg the pudding somewhat when it comes to wind speed). A good job that the wind was fairly light too, my pole was being held up by small rocks on the guys, I couldn’t get any pegs into the ground!
The radio side of things went reasonably well, with 22 QSO’s in the log, including 2 S2S on 30m CW. Unfortunately I seemed to be having an ‘Off’ day with my CW, but I mangled through, sorry guys! Whilst I was operating, a chap walked up and said he worked for the BBC setting up outside broadcasts and he was interested in my equipment. Another gentleman appeared a bit later and said 'It’s a bit cold for SOTA isn’t it, I usually do it in summer!" G0TNF (cool call sign for a mountaineer!) was the chap’s call.
It was nice to chat to Sue G1OHH on 2m FM, we were both saying just how nice the Lake District is. The general mood of the area just seems so happy, people out doing fun things, sailing, cycling, motoring, walking, etc etc.
Although the photo’s don’t really show it, there were some severe patches of neve, which were treacherous without the proper gear, although I do SOTA alone, at one point I picked up a group of people on the route and it really did remind me of watching YouTube videos of climbers going up Everest in a long procession!
I made a bag for my crampons using a leg from an old pair of jeans!
Swirral Edge
Thirlmere
73, Colin