Today was (supposed) to be an easy one pointer, but judging from my back ache it was slightly further than it looked on the map. Grayrigg Forest isn’t – the only forest is really the remains of the microwave relays nearby. The huge masts now seem relatively empty – a few cell stations but mostly bare. I chose a route from 015605 – Borrow Dale, which once the roar of the M6 fades into the distance is remarkably quiet.
The only real technical challenge was getting Woody and myself over the wall, just past the second relay station at 592002 which has a couple of wet and slippy stones sticking out as a stile but is about 1.6 m tall. The first attempt worked but I was not sure who was most at risk, Woody from springing down off the wall, or me being pulled over by the springing dog. On the return trip I sat on the top of the wall and hauled him onto my knee which seemed safer for everyone although probably isn’t a good look for a Springer Spaniel.
The weather was occasional rain, hill fog and a strong wind – probably gusting to about 30 so nothing that requited crawling to the summit but getting and keeping the antenna up was a bit of a challenge. I set up a simple tarp shelter to keep things dry.
I’m getting better at getting the antenna up without it being wrapped around Woody’s legs and by making sure the mast was carefully extended I managed not to have a single mast collapse.
As it was a short easy walk I took the heavier FT817 / MX-50P / LiFe combination which I usually adjust to put out about 30w. I used a 80/60/40 linked dipole and a j-pole also attached to the mast. I also took an 20 efhw but ran out of time.
After a bit of unplanned wandering off the top in the wrong direction (Not something to do on many hills…) the return trip was non eventful. My watch tells me that it was 400m of ascent 10km round trip – of which 2km was not on paths.
I decided to fill up with fuel and food at the M6 J36 Services which was only partly successful – they had fuel but the café was shut due to staffing shortages….more Brexit benefits…?
Thanks for all the chasers and particularly to MW1HAX/P for the S2S on Tryfan where it sounded like the wx was worse!
73 Paul
On the way up
Trig Point - at last!
Antenna and shelter
Borrow Dale appearing out of the mist
PS Bonus extra item - I should have taken the lighter KX2!
Missing Item … Laminated Map so had to deal with disintegraing map!
Paul
Of course what we now have are people who having filled up are having to drive about aimlessly to use up their fuel so they can panic buy more. Or do what I will do… fill the estate car with hundreds of toilet rolls and then use them to soak up gallons(*) and gallons of petrol. I can panic buy more that way.