Yesterday I activated the Belchen (DM/BW-003) and experienced my most extraordinary activity so far. Ascension Day in Germany is also traditionally a day on which ‘Father’s Day’ is celebrated and alcohol plays a major role in this. (https://germanculture.com.ua/german-holidays/vatertag-fathers-day-in-germany/) Ok, since I am neither a father nor do I love alcoholic excesses, I thought it would be appropriate to choose a mountain that is difficult to reach with handcarts in which the beer is transported, so that I could have some peace and quiet. In fact, I did see a lot of men on the railway on the way, but not on the Belchen either… The first half hour on the summit was also pure peace and quiet, but then lots of families appeared out of nowhere and - I had to look twice 
- even two donkeys.
What I didn’t know: The Black Forest Association’s Westweg (Westweg: Pforzheim to Basel - hike on the Westweg) is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year and to mark the occasion, many guided tours are being offered, including a stage where donkeys accompany the group as a highlight for families with children. So the whole summit was crowded and of course I stood out with my radio activities and answered lots of questions about how far I could transmit, why I didn’t have a microphone if I had contact with the ISS etc. Unfortunately, this was a bit at the expense of radio time… So apologies to all hunters that I had to do QRX more often.
In my next life I will be a public relations officer at the DARC.
Westweg Eseletappe für Familien • Wanderungen » Schwarzwaldverein-Tourenportal
73!
Peter DL3NAA