As it is Bonus time I am looking for 2 points summits that are not too far away as so GW/MW-012 looks like a summit I might be able to do but not knowing what route to take can anyone give some help on that please.
Ricky
MW6GWR
In reply to MW6GWR:
Hi Ricky
I activated this summit this year with Geoff 2E0BTR.
Park on the A458 (Welshpool to Mallywd) road at Grid Reference SH949129. Marked on the OS map with an MS.
Before you set off grab 2 plastic black bin bags. You leave the parking space and walk round the obvious track to the South West where you will reach a ford! Grab the bags put them round your feet and cross the ford, this saves you about 0.5 miles of walking. Once over the ford we hid the bags to save carrying them and then of course on the return leg picked them up and re-used them.
Then keep to the track where you will eventually reach the head of the forest at SH937115. Enter the forest and then once again follow the track all the way to the summit. Within the forest you will pass what appears to be weather monitoring masts as well as classic Welsh Forest! The summit was cleared of trees when were there but they may have re-planted since? I am not sure??
Anyway hope that is OK? It is a long walk but very gradual, for me it is not a repeat activation as the walk is just a bit dull at 4.5 kms, however it was a very easy 2 pointer! I qualified it on 70cms SSB despite the trees around me!
Geoff had no issues with 2m SSB and I am sure that if VHF works from there then HF will be a doddle.
73
Matt G8XYJ
In reply to G8XYJ:
Thanks for the help Matt Looks like a good route only as you were saying a long walk and the ford are the thing I will have to think about.
Ricky
In reply to G8XYJ:
Ricky,
With the weather we have been having the ford may very well be dangerous to cross. This is a concrete bottomed vehicle ford and, being seldom used, is green with moss/waterweed which is almost certain to be slippery. When I did this one (8th Nov) the water was quite deep and fast flowing. I was on my own and had only one stick in the car and so went around (ie East along the road to the next turning and through the farm).
Unexciting walk up the moorland and through the forest. The masts (estimated at rather more than 30m they would make the average amateur green with envy) are of course anemometer masks collecting data for the proposed windfarm. You pass one on the way up and the second one is actually in the summit clearing , so finding the trigpoint is not the problem it might have been though it might still be quite difficult to spot on the very edge of the clearing.
I made 15 contacts at slightly more than minute intervals on 40m once Ricky’s spot had appeared.
Apart from the ford this is a doddle.
73,
Rod
In reply to M0JLA:
Hello Rod
I was thinking about the route that you were saying about when you were there that would be where I might start but I think I will give it miss for now as I think I need to go up it with someone who knows the way or with someone.
Ricky
In reply to MW6GWR:
Ricky,
If you can read a map (OS 1:50k or, preferably, 1:25k) and/or have a gps this route is dead easy AFTER the ford. I think you would be wise to have an escort at the ford, but once crossed you would be safe on your own (or as safe as anyone is in remote forest on motor-able tracks) as the whole of the route is a wide gravel forest road.
However, a longish approach like this is always improved by having a suitable companion. It is a bit far from Hereford for a day trip; I did it on the way to Capel Curig for a long weekend.
I’m thinking of 40m on Burton Hill tomorrow (Friday) if the forecast stays good; only 1 point but only 30 min drive.
Merry Christmas & New Year,
73,
Rod
In reply to M0JLA:
Please stay away from river crossings at the moment in Wales. What might be a ‘little paddle’ in summer will be a raging torrent at the moment.
Every outdoor leadership course will tell you the same thing - if you are faced with a river crossing do anything to avoid it. In this case it appears there is a slightly longer alternative.
I’ve done quite a lot of accidental immersion drills (in a drysuit, boyancy aid and other safety gear). Once a river has you off your feet, which can happen by force when only shin deep or by slipping, then getting to the bank and getting out is very hard.
I could go on and on about this subject but I’ll leave it there.
Safe activation Ricky.
73
Gerald
2W0GDA
In reply to MW6AQU:
Hello Gerald
Yes if it keeps raining hear the homes on lower down will flood as a road hear was flooded but I think its not now. a torrent will some it up I will only activate a summit if I stay on land and land only. I will think about the summit in the summer now as I think I will stay with the summits that I know or one with a good route.
Ricky
MW6GWR
In reply to M0JLA:
Hello Rod
I think I will give it a miss for now and thanks for the summit today hopefully be on a summit soon.
Ricky
In reply to MW6BDV:
Thank you Barry I might be going up in your direction in the summer so perhaps I can do some summit with you then.
Ricky