The Ponderosa two

[M0VAZ]

Making the most of the weather and bonus point season I re-visited GW/NW-043 and GW/NW-042 - either side of the Ponderosa cafe.(still shut)

Starting with GW/NW-042 (Moel y Gamelin)

Parking at the base of the hill was busy. but managed to find a space. Gathered by stuff and set off. This time I took the route up nearer to the slate mounds (slate mounds to my right). Normally I do the route an bit more towards the left.
Anyways, onwards and upwards

Some good views on the way up, last time I was up there, it was foggy, this time it was nice sunshine, but with a cool breeze.

Hat and gloves deployed for first part of the walk.

Just as I got to the summit, I managed a S2S with two other operators on GW/NW-047 using the FT3D Hand held.
Finaly got seup at the top of the hill with the trust FT857 and a Zippy battery.

2m first, 6 contacts.
Move to HF and 14mhz was busy with contact but manage to get a S2S with GW7WKX/P on GW/NW-049 (Gyrn Moelfre)
7mhz I managed another 6.

On collapsing the mast, I managed to catch the end of my finger tip in the sections which resulted in blook escaping. I thought I had a few plasters in my bag, but nope. In the end I used one nitrile glove to cover the cut. Once back to the car, I had some in the first aid kit.

A quick breather and then off to GW/NW-043 (Cyrn-y-Brain)

A slow and steady climb up the hill. Some good views as usual from the top.
A few people mooching around and a few taking a rest in the cairn at the top. I decided to get setup on the partch of flatish grass area just away from the cair,

Again 2m first and managed 11 contacts and then moved to 7mhz and got another 11.

This time no injuries collapsing the mast

Cheers
John
M0VAZ

[MM0EFI]

@M0VAZ

thought I had a few plasters in my bag

Oh dear. Not what one would expect from a trained Motorsport Rescue Operative.
Your secret is safe with me.

[M0VAZ]

haha. I had bandages, gloves, foil blankets…I was convinced I had plasters until I discovered I didn’t. But now I have plasters to go in the bag

[MM0FMF]

@M0VAZ

had a few plasters in my bag

So here is an interesting question. I have some simple first aid gear with me. A couple of bandages sealed in bags, sealed plasters, Compeed blister plasters, roll of Zinc Oxide plaster tape. I also have some Paracetamol and diabetic tablets. Just some basic stuff, no good for cut arteries but enough for the type of injury you mention.

Now what I know about individual plasters is when they get a few years past the use by date, the adehesive stops being sticky and becomes a bit useless. I was doing a check over my bag and all its recesses looking for a missing gizmo and noticed the Compeeds were bought in 2007 and were “use by 2011” which is a few years out of date ^*.

So the question is will they still work on blisters and just not be that sticky and I’d need to hold them in place with some Zinc Oxide tape. Or do I need to stop doing a Corp. Fraser impersonation ( “We’re doomed!” ) and crack open the Sporran and buy some new ones?

^* Some things have use by/best before dates but really they not in context for the item. Christmas 2023 we had a Christmas Pudding that had been bought in the post Christmas sales one year and put in the cupboard. Well the supermarket was selling puddings that sold for £7 before Christmas for £0.50 the first week in January. I bought a few. This one was marked “Best before August 2012” and we ate it in December 2023. It was perfect, delicious in fact. Hey it’s fat, fruit, sugar and alcohol, it will last for ever in its sealed packaging. We’re all still here !

[G4AZS]

The only times I have needed a plaster on a summit was after skinning a (usually cold numbed) finger whilst collapsing a telescopic pole!
I’m more careful now

I think I’d save up for some in-date replacements to save faffing about in the field.

With you on the Christmas pud, though, food of the gods, lasts well.

[M0VAZ]

I found some more plasters in the spare first aid kit and these have an expiry date of 2021 and these are still sticky.

The ones in the 1st aid kit specified by MSUK are still in date.
As a side note. MSUK specify recovery vehicles carry a first aid kit along with burns dressings an eye wash kit and foil blankets.

Cheers
John
M0VAZ

[G4OIG]

I’m definitely the overkill master when it comes to err, well everything in my backpack and the First Aid kit is no exception. I keep saying I will slim it down, but I never get around to it.

There’s a triangular bandage, a couple of 10cm square bandages, various plasters and even two foil blankets. Oh… and the eagle-eyed may note paracetamol, neurofen (ibuprofen) and soluable aspirin, all for different pains. I even carry antacid tablets and throat lozenges. Why have an uncomfortable activation?