I decided to take the weather head on today. Every now and then it is good to see what a proper wet and windy day is like.
I was not disappointed. Torrential rain on the walk to the summit, I found that the substantial Trig point provided reasonable cover from the very strong wind. But first I had a pretty major battle getting the mast and antenna up.
Just 2M FM, with the 5W handheld into my collinear.
Thanks to the thirteen chasers who were very understanding and made for quick QSOs.
I was most amazed by summit to summit contacts with MI3ZCB/P and MI1MAJ/P on GI/MM-006 Slievelamagan.
The video below is both pretty dull and not very good to look at, but it does show a bit of the summit conditions. I was in the relative shelter of the trig point at the time, just before I packed up to descend.
Perhaps my favourite GW/NW summit. It is such a shame that the weather was bad yesterday as the views are excellent. I had an enjoyable single summit day there in March 2010 - http://www.sotawatch.org/reflector.php?topic=4202# - and my alter ego went there in December 2011 to operate 70cms in snowy conditions, the hill being ascended via a totally different route. Enjoyable both times for entirely different reasons.
I firmly believe that the weather has the potential to radically alter the perception of what would otherwise be excellent summit. I can certainly recommend a return to this one when the sun is shining.
Sue and I first did this on a lovely day last year and we were blessed with good views, if a bit hazy.
I have now done three routes on this hill. On the first visit I went up one way and down another. Yesterday I went up where I came down last year and then found a new way down. It included a couple of interesting river crossings…
If you drive up through the forestry (there are no signs asking you not to) then this can be a very short day out. Think I was only about two hours away from the car including twenty minutes activating.
Martyn, the summit was like that yesterday. As I was solo (Sue stayed in the car and read her book) I had enough room to cower behind the trig point. Getting the mast and antenna up was a challenge though.
Sometimes it is fun to give yourself a bit of a battle on the hill.
Gerald, you were brave going out in that weather. I stayed indoors listening to the rain hammering down. Eventually it passed and I was able to have another go at Penycloddiau after messing up the day before. It was great to see you there - I’m sorry it wasn’t valid for the point!
