Activation Report for Foel Goch,GW/NW-039 28/06/2009
Hi All
4 Pointers and Good Weather go together like Sheep and Heather!
One of three four pointer GW/NW summits on my list to do asap ( the other two being Carnedd y Filiast and Cyrniau Nod) we decided to do this one first as walk in looked steep but short. Set off as usual, early enough to have a steady walk in from Car space,we followed A55 then A483 past Wrexham then a bit of A5 before taking down some " lovely Welsh lanes" as Mrs C calls them.
Got to What we thought was Richards TomTom arrival point only to find no sign of Ceseilgwm gate. Further investigation and asking a local we found the gate we arrived at just as road ends is the first of two you need to go through. so go through 1st gate you arrive at then keep right rising to another gate go through this one and then gate to Ceseilgwm is on right park just after this gate on grass verge. walking from here continuing to keep right don’t follow main rocky path but take right hand overgrown tractor path, meet another gate after going through trees,loads of sheep in here. follow a path towards summit ahead the path disappears in places. If you keep left you pass a sheep fold and tractor path continues in places it vanishes so follow it gingerly until you arrive at gate 3 from car. go through this and then turn right towards summit. Ascent gets steep but eventually arriving at Trig with its Gravestone style tablet and pile of Stones.
I left poor Elaine to just follow in my footsteps as time had become tight for alert. set up 2m beam as Mrs C arrived. she quickly set up camp for brew as I got 897 connected(I had sent selfspot 15mins earlier to hopefully get a pile up when I shouted.) Small pile up ensued When 2E0PXW came in first and I got his call wrong before being helped to make sure I got it right. Heard my old mate Bill G4USW shouting desperately, I knew he had the Grandkids to look after so put him in front of the other chasers,thanks to others for letting me work him 1st!!
Regular Mike G4BLH from Nelson made it No4 thanks Mate. GW0DSP next asking if I had fell out with him,NO CHANCE Mike,just thought it would be a bit of fun to make you wait a bit!!! some other regulars came in including G3OHC,G0TRB and G0SLR. Then worked two calls unique to my Log G1OHH & G2BOF, never worked a G1 or G2 before as far as I know? Thanks to Sue & David for the uniques!! Total 14 Contacts on 2M SSB,went quiet and so had a bite to eat and shouted on 432.200,even sending in spot? Nothing ,10 more mins shouting and still 70cm SSB not a whisper?? Switched to 6M SSB not expecting much and to my frustration nothing here either ( No Magic Band again) where is Cadair Berwyn success when you need it? 20 mins after going round 70cm and 6M,we packed away and decided to get back home earlier than planned.
More frustration as we headed down I decided to get some Chit-Chat on my VX5R which is my latest purchase, half way down summit(WELL OUT OF AZ!!!) I heard Rob on 2M FM saying he was up Kirby Moor NO S2S Again!!! Did get well into GB3PZ with the VX5 speaking to M0GMG/M and also listening to an American on a Digi Node in it. Not in Log for obvious reasons but a good test of the VX5 with its supplied Rubber Duck!!!
Overall my Report is: Enjoyable summit to go up and down and Excellent views while up there of Bala Lake and next weekends summit Carnedd Y Filiast. Path is not a distinctive one but got there in the end. Extra Large Flies swarming when on way up ,while at Trig and on way down. Ended up with six bites on my arms,but a nice summit to do!! Thanks for all who worked me, with Surrey being longest distance. All calls logged in Database and photos on Flicker as usual( Mrs C is getting better at taking them dont you think??)
73
Tony
Unable to get out on the Sunday due to other commitments. Hope to catch you next weekend for the s2s if you do Carnedd-y-Filiast. Will also be qrv on 432 next time.