Part 1 is here: SOTA in Madeira Part 1 (10th May 2025) - Activation Reports - SOTA Reflector
As we mentioned in Part 1, the expected good weather was swapped with the UK at the start of our holiday. While home had sunshine, in Madeira we had thunderstorms and, while at lower levels there was less rain, the mountains were covered in cloud and very wet. We were debating what to do on our second day (already realising that we were not going to be able to SOTA every day either because of weather or because we wanted to have a few days relaxing), so we decided today (Saturday 10th May 2025) would initially be a day to investigate just how bad the parking could be for the highest summit, Pico Ruivo de Santana (CT3/MI-001).
Our worst fears were confirmed with the cloud and rain and as we started the drive to the top we could see very little in front of us; not ideal on a twisty mountain road even if it is wide most of the way. The weather meant there was not much traffic and after a little under an hour from driving from our hotel, we arrived at Achada do Teixeira, the starting point for the 2 mile walk to Pico Ruivo de Santana (CT3/MI-001). Although very wet, there were still a few cars and people around and we decided to have a coffee and cake at the café. We could see this carpark would fill quickly in good weather so decided it would need an early start once the storms had passed later in the week.
The entrance of the walk to the café at Achada do Teixeira from inside the car
We had not done all the research for the summits but we had spent some time in the morning working out the details of some of the walks. Helen had noted some caches on Pico Penha de Aguia (CT3/MI-011), a one point hill not far from the start of our drive up on the north east coast, and Pico do Castanho (CT3/MI-010), a small one point hill of 623 metres elevation not far from the narrow eastern promontory of the island, and wanted to check possible parking places. For the first of these we found parking near the Gale restaurant in Faial but knew this would be an arduous walk with lots of steps and probably not ideal after rain. There was a couple we met who had tried to get up but were stopped by the rain and the extremely slippery trail. We did find a viewpoint of the river, Ribeira do Faial, nearby.
The river, Ribeira do Faial, in Faial gushing with water from the recent rain in the mountains
Leaving Pico Penha de Aguia (CT3/MI-011) for another day (although we never did get back), we set off for Pico do Castanho (CT3/MI-010). We arrived by some houses after driving up a narrow lane and a parking place was found. The weather had cleared as we drove down from the highest point on the island, so we decided to start a walk up to the summit, not necessarily expecting to go all the way, but kitted up for an attempt of an activation.
The map suggested a walk of just over 1 km with only 200 m of ascent after a brief walk of a few hundred metres along a narrow road. The view overlooking Caniçal and the island’s eastern extremity from the highest point on this road, by a typical Madeira house with a terrace already planted, suggested it was going to be cloudy but hopefully dry. We decided to continue.
The route up and down Pico do Castanho (CT3/MI-010)
The view near the start of the walk up Pico do Castanho (CT3/MI-010) overlooking Caniçal and the island’s eastern extremity
Although we knew the path up was going to be steep much of the way, this was made difficult as the ground itself was slippery clay with lots of tree roots and a scattering of boulders to clamber over; not what we had expected although in hindsight these smaller summits were not going to be like the rockier mountains and Pico Ruivo do Paul (CT3/MI-006) on the previous day should have confirmed that. Unfortunately I had packed boots that were better suited to rocks than slippery mud. Maybe we should have turned back when we saw the first set of zig-zags, or the narrow steep paths through the trees or after we dropped a considerable amount of elevation suggesting an even steeper ascent was ahead, but each time we decided to continue intrepidly onwards. We did regret not bring walking poles, even more useful for the slippery walk down.
Helen walking up the zig-zag path near the start of the track to Pico do Castanho (CT3/MI-010)
The same position looking up the rest of the zig-zag path to Pico do Castanho (CT3/MI-010)
We passed some huts a third of the way up (just after the zig-zags) and one set was filled with chickens. Not sure I would want that trek up to collect eggs every day although this was the easiest part of the walk. We got to the trigpoint but knew this was not the true summit so continued along the track. Finally we got to the cache that was on the summit and a rather small marking stone confirmed we had made it. No view was to be had as we were in the trees, which was a disappointment, but we had not left the forest or seen any decent views since turning onto the path right at the beginning of the climb, the odd glimpse through gaps was all that was to be had with threatening clouds ever present.
The trigpoint on the way to the true summit of Pico do Castanho (CT3/MI-010)
Time was getting on so we set up the antenna in the best gap we could find amongst the trees and I started on 20 metres with the Yaesu FT-817 and HF packer amplifier. I made three contacts to Spain and three to Greece including summit-to-summits with Stavros (SV2RUJ/P) and Ioanna (SV4SWQ/P) on Fotini (SV/TL-074). I then handed over to Helen on the same band who made another six contacts into Europe. A quick reconfiguration and I moved onto 17 metres for another 11 contacts over the following 20 minutes mostly into Europe, but including two contacts, Chris (VO1CH) and Calvin (VO1CAL), in the St Pierre and Miquélon island group in Newfoundland. It was nice for both of us to catch Phil (G4OBK) at the very end. Propagation was slightly better than the day before but still very poor.
CT9/G6WRW/P in the trees activates Pico do Castanho (CT3/MI-010)
Just after changing bands we were surprised to see a group of four people walking up the hill. One was from the UK and had been living nearby in Madeira for a few years. After we explained what we were doing, he said he had not seen anyone with radio kit on the hill before. They continued beyond the summit to the coast.
We packed up and set about slowly working our way down the same path we had walked up. It was not easy and I took a slip on some slurry on a steep part of the track. It knocked the wind out of me but nothing broken or damaged other than a pulled back muscle and bruised pride; it made me more cautious of the surfaces for the rest of the holiday.
We decided the following day (Sunday) would be a gentle “tourist day” as my back was sore and the weather changeable so we headed to Monte and Funchal to ride the cable cars and visit the Botanical Gardens. The forecast was looking better for the following days for the higher ground, particular in the mornings, so more summits were planned.
At the Botanical Gardens just north of Funchal
Carolyn
Part 3 is here: SOTA in Madeira Part 3, GOAT day for Helen (13th May 2025) - Activation Reports - SOTA Reflector
Part 4 is here: SOTA in Madeira Part 4 and my 2k point activation (15th & 18th May 2025) - Activation Reports - SOTA Reflector