GM4ZFZ/P - Mountain Adventures with a Radio

The Twin Carn Deargs

6th & 7th March 2005

These two hills are situated at the head of Glen Roy.  All contacts were on 80m CW.

GM/CS-073 - Carn Dearg - 815m - NN349967 - 4 points
4 QSOs: 80m CW - 4

I set off from Brae Roy Lodge and walked up to the head of Glen Turret with the hill tops glowing in the evening sun. I chose to climb up to the 350m Parallel Road and contour around into Gleann Eachach and follow the south bank of the river up towards the bealach before striking off for the summit. This had the advantage of staying below the snow line but I think normally I would recommend crossing a bridge at NN332940 where the river forks and heading up Teanga Mhor. The coutouring was a bit tiresome and the river sides very steep giving no opportunity for crossing until quite high.

Once out of Gleann Eachach it was hard going in soft deep snow covering at times potentially treacherous peat hags and bog. I employed liberal prodding with the walking poles! Towards the top the visibility fell dramatically in the dark, clag and snow; it took me a while to locate the true summit.

I set up the Slinky Special and worked EI7CC, G0NMD, GM0AXY & LY2FE (Lithuania) giving me good reports from 85m to 1000m distant on 80m CW.

It was a very dark night and, rare for me, I felt quite isolated and alone admidst the snow and wind. I hurriedly packed up headed steeply down to the bealach, firm snow on this aspect allowing me to stride down swiftly.

GM/CS-085 - Carn Dearg - 768m - NN357948 - 4 points
5 QSOs: 80m CW - 5

I plodded back up the other side and before too long approached the summit of Carn Dearg #2. With a mammoth feat of will power I constructed the antenna before hitting the sac and reaped the reward first thing in the morning of being able to operate without getting out of my sleeping bag!

G4DUC, GM0AXY, EI7CC, HB9AFI & DL3KOG were worked between 0700z and 0800z giving fair reports from Edinburgh to Switzerland.

The photo shows the Slinky Special. It comprises two walking poles, a few sections of fibreglass tents pole on top, a slinky and some wire. It is shown without the 10m wire for 80m inv L config but with a 2.5 top for 5/8 wave configuration on 20m. I'll try and get some better photos next time! I use a 20m counterpoise lifted a foot or two off the ground for 80m and 2 x 5m radials for 20m.

Click on the photo for a larger image and you can *just* make out the slinky on the walking poles!

After packing up I had a most pleasant walk down in increasingly fine weather -  stark contrast to the intimidating feeling of the previous night.

Beinn a'Mhonicag

2nd March 2005

SOTA Ref GM/CS-101 - Beinn a'Mhonicag - 568m - NN287854 - 2 points
8 QSOs: 80m CW - 3, 40m CW - 2, 20m CW - 2, 2m FM - 1

This is my fourth time operating from this convenient hill in Glen Roy (and second successful activation). I was up and running with the Slinky Special well before schedule at about 0745z. The weather conditions were pretty wild - a very cold gale with frequent blizzarding. However the ground drops away sharpish just south west of the summit giving almost perfect shelter so I was quite comfortable!

A call on 20m CW raised Martin SP5JNW in Warsaw and a shout on 2m FM caught Robin, GM7PKT/M on his way to work in Fort William (line of sight into town!). On 80m CW I worked GM0AXY, EI7CC & G0TUE getting fair reports and then G3VQO (Sussex) & DL2IAD on 40m CW on long skip. A final call on 20m got OK2MSS in the Czech Republic.

Some Thoughts on Solo Overnight Expeditions

I was asked for advice regarding overnight expeditions so I thought I'd post my answer here:

Doing overnight expeditions has a number of advantages. For instance it allows you to make use of the evening and early morning meaning you don't have to write off an entire day work or family-wise and yet get a good length expedition in. You also tend to have the hills to yourself & get to see lots of sunrises and sunsets!

Equipment I use is as follows:

- Goretex Bivibag (of course you could take a small tent instead but the bivibag is much easier and you don't need to worry about finding a pitch. Anywhere flattish 6 x 2 feet will do!)
- Warm sleeping bag (I'm using a 5 season down at the moment but will downgrade once the Spring arrives)
- Thermarest (I use the ultra small one and stick my rucsac down the bottom for my feet (if it's dry otherwise a fleece or something)
- 2 or 3 rucsac liners (for wet kit/stashing boots outside, etc)
- I don't take a stove, just butties, etc. But this is personal preference!
- I do totally overdo it on warm clothing. Many layers, down jacket, spare gloves, spare hats, balaclavas. However, this probably applies to SOTA expeditions in general not just overnighter!

I am finding 80m a great band to use for overnight trips. Very reliable early morning and evening. I have done some Top Band but find it is often quite late before the band wakes up and I'm snoozing by then!

Even if I am not acitvating in the evening (say getting onto a top late), then I still try and set up the antenna since it gives the luxury of operating from the sleeping bag in the morning without having to get up first!

I don't want to paint too rosy a picture. This is roughing it! And if the weather is bad it can be quite a trial. For instance, at 6'3" I *really* struggle to get dressed and kitted out inside my bivibag so if it is chucking it down outside, that's a pain.

Obviously, it goes without saying, stay within your comfort zone and experience hill-wise if you are out on your own. If I had to stress one point it would be warmth, warmth, warmth. Take lots of layers. And be careful with down in Scotland. I use it, but it is useless if it gets too damp. Always seriously overengineer the layers/hats, etc. You definitely don't want to be caught out alone and hyperthermic. Keeping weight to a minimum is moderately important but over-rated especially in the British hills. More of an issue in Alpine Climbing, say, where speed is of the essense, but if you are wondering whether to put in the extra fleece, etc: Put it in!!! Warmth should always win out over weight if you are solo. Just think, a small injury could have you waiting a long time in the wind and the wet and you have no friend to lend you his spare fleece!

The other thing of course is (especially in the winter), much of the walking is in the dark. So you must be comfortable with night navigation in anything but the very simplest of trips.

When solo be much more cautious than you would be when with others in all respects- take your time, stay well within your hill experience and ensure someone knows your exact plan, proposed bivi spot, and possible diversions/escape routes.

Having said that, enjoy! I have had hugely rewarding experiences in these less travelled hours of the day.

Creag Dhubh - 2nd Activation

26th February 2005

GM/CS-093 - Creag Dhubh - 658m - NN322824 - 2 points
QSOs: 80m CW - 3, 40m CW -1

It was nearly exactly a year after activating this hill that I was up here again. Last year this was the site of my first CW QSO for nearly 20 years. This time I activate it with 4 CW QSOs on 80m and 40m.

I headed up from the A86 straight up through Tulloch Wood and steeply to the top. This is the quickest way up but punishingly direct. Last year's route from the Chapel is easier going. There were some sizable patches of quite deep soggy snow to plough through but the weather was benign giving nice views. I used a slinky special inverted L and was pleased to work GM4CXP, GM0AXY, G4KKI & OK1DEC between 0800 and 0900.