Mam na Gualainn, Tom Meadhoin & Doire Ban

9th October 2004

Just about managed to activate all three tops on Saturday with very variable conditions on HF. It was a fine day with eagle-eye views of the villages of Glencoe and Ballachulish (see photo) with respective dramatic backdrops. 2 watts into multiband dipole on HF & 0.5W into rubber duck for 2m.

GM/WS-173 - Mam na Gualainn - 796m - NN115625 - 4 points
4 QSOs: 2m FM - 1, 20m CW - 2, 40m CW - 1

Parked yet again at the West Highland Way access point (NN100667) but this time took the path through the woods by torchlight, roaring stags on the hillside adding to the already eerie atomosphere. Putting on my gaiters I managed to ford the river at NN110636 without too much seepage and heading up the steep hillside joined the stalkers path to the ridge and then up to the summit by 0715bst (about 2.5hrs). This is a pleasant hill.

It was really quite chilly and I was glad I had taken my fleece trousers and down jacket for their first outing of the season. After a chat with GM7PKT on 2m FM I set up on 40m but no G stations heard so wandered up to 20m and worked David, EA7/EI6AL and also Mike, RU3BL/QRP in Moscow. I spent quite a while struggling to find a fourth contact but eventually found Petr OK1FAQ/QRP on 40m who gave me a good report into the Czech Rebublic. Conscious of my tight schedule, I quickly packed up and left for summit #2.

The photo below (taken from Tom Meadhoin) show the West Highland Way snaking through the Glen with Mam na Gualainn on the right.

GM/WS-261 - Tom Meadhoin - 621m - NN087621 - 2 points - 0930-1000bst
4 QSOs: 40m CW - 4

Reached this summit about 1000bst and initially 40m seemed dead but returning after half hour elsewhere suddenly found I was getting a 599 report into Lichfield with G4EHT followed by Pete, EI7CC and Ken, GM0AXY in Edinburgh & G3MNS/P in Lincoln. So used to being alone on these lower hills I was surprised when a fellow walker wandered up and started chatting to me half way through my QSO with Pete EI7CC! Sorry if my sending was slightly erratic Pete!

GM/WS-280 - Doire Ban - 566m - NN090643 - 2 points - 1200-1230bst
4QSOs: 2m FM - 1, 40m CW - 3

I was pushed for time and knew I needed to make this a swift activation if I were to get down in time. I switched on the rig and heard GM7PKT/P straightaway on GM/WS-018 giving me QSO #1, then on 40m G3AIO (Pembury), DK6XM (Hamburg), and then, with difficulty, Pete EI7CC again to complete the activation. A quick call to the XYL assuring her I would be back home in time preceded a run down the hill back to the car in less than 30 mins!

This was an enjoyable circuit and particularly satisfying getting all 3 tops activated after frustrated recent attempts at these hills.

73, Jon
GM4ZFZ

Comments

[bill]

Hello! - Find your posts vy interesting. I am based in Glencoe and qrv on 40m cw & ssb. Might hear you sometime. Look out for the aerial(s) next time you are passing. I'm near the coffee shop!

73..............Bill

[Jon]

Thanks Bill!

I'll definately keep an eye out next time I'm going through Glen Coe. Hope to work you soon.

73, Jon