Well, sort of. I’d already tried to activate Streap a few days earlier, but it was deep snow, sleet falling, the visibility was almost nil, navigation difficult - so I just went to the summit and continued getting very wet
- even my goretex winter boots got wet the snow was so deep and wet:scream:… So…I was well chastised even though I’m used to Scottish winters as a climber.
But I didn’t like to go home empty handed:thinking:
I chose Meall A’ Bhruidih GM/WS-017 on the way home a few days later. Much nicer day - I could even see some sun . Bought a ticket to the top of the ski tows, but my ticket only took me half way up. After my previous experience I decided I might just spend the day skiing even though my 'sack was full of radio stuff (YouKits HB1B morse key, shovel, tarp…etc.,), But I’d come so far and was so near!! - so I put my x-country skis on and added myself to the queue up the highest T-bar as no one was checking tickets!. Expecting a bit further to walk from the top I discovered the top was only a few metres away, and lo and behold I quickly found a sheltered sunny spot within a few feet of the top. Didn’t need my snow shovel or the tarp I was thinking of using as a shelter if I couldn’t dig a snow hole.
Quickly got my Sota Beams linked dipole out, the ends under some rocks, the pole wedged between two nice big blocks - a nice flat stone to place my morse key on and a sit pad to avoid a wet bum. I didn’t bother with a self spot or alert and started calling CQ. A few minutes later I had K4dy from the states, whom I later discovered was also my 1st ever QSO with the states and now my 2nd too. 30 minutes later I had 7 QSO’s, the last one being another 1st for me - 4z4dx from Israel.
A few minutes later I had all my kit packed and almost managed to ski the entire way back to the chair lift (the snow cover wasn’t complete below there), although I must admit falling over a couple of times and once where it was too icy for me I walked down a bit until putting my skis back on. I was back at my car within an hour of my last QSO!!
Quite pleased even though it was an easy summit