Radio Tales from West Wales and beyond...: GW/NW-009

GW/NW-009 – Cadair Idris (8 points)

16/08/2018

Three happy Mountain Goats

Today I had the pleasure and honour of being in the company of two SOTA stalwarts with Cadair Idris being our target for the day. Viki M6BWA and Rod M0JLA have been on the SOTA scene for many years and have multiple Mountain Goat status with Viki attaining her accolades both on VHF and UHF…respect.

My GPS track

Mist on top

Turn left here

Rod and Allan (pic by Viki)

The route chosen was the Pony path. Viki strode ahead towards the summit as Rod and I lagged behind and talked incessantly about radio, SOTA and other things on our way up. Rod made a comment that as he was carrying all the gear and water Viki would not go far, indeed it was not long before we caught up and she joined in the conversation.....very soon we were nearing the summit....time flies when you are enjoying yourself.

Pleasant part of the walk - Viki

Heading for the zig-zag (pic by Viki)

Above the zig-zag (pic by Viki)

Mist rolling down to the valley below

Rod looking at the mist clearing below (pic by Viki)

Still quite a way to go

Summit and Trig in the mist...busy summit

Apart for having to put on our waterproof clothing at the gate at SH 691135 it was one of the most enjoyable ascents I have made in many years.

Viki dealing with a pile-up..Rod enjoying lunch below

Viki MW6BWA/p

No joy on 2m digital (pic by Viki)

We set up away from the summit Trig as it was very busy on top. We shared the first contacts so that we could all qualify the summit. Rod and I settled down to lunch as Viki worked through her pile-up. The words ‘summit to summit’ were heard and the sandwiches were promptly put aside as Rod and I got in line to get the points.

12:03z	M0JDK	144MHz	FM	John..Derbyshire
12:07z	GW4ZHI/P	144MHz	FM	Bryn..Aber Uni carpark..hh 3W
12:10z	GW0PLP	144MHz	FM	Don..nr Aberporth
12:13z	MW0OFA	144MHz	FM	Frank..Blaen Ffos
12:18z	MW3DLA	144MHz	FM	Aled..Newchapel, Pembs
12:33z	GW6OVD/P	144MHz	FM	Mal s2s..GW/SW-011 Sugar Loaf
12:45z	G6MZX/P	144MHz	FM	Geoff s2s..G/WB-009,Worcestershire Beacon

It was inevitable that the contacts would soon come to an end and as it was getting a bit chilly we packed away as soon as Viki had finished her lunch. The walk back down was just as pleasant as the ascent and we all spent some time taking pictures as the sun appeared and pleased to be out of the waterproof gear.