September 8-9 is the NA-SOTA Weekend and is also the ARRL VHF Contest. It's a
chance to make contacts and connections between SOTA and the VHF community.
Getting four contacts on VHF from any SOTA summit should be easy this weekend - after you entertain the regular chasers on HF perhaps you'd consider moving to VHF. (You might find Péter, W7/HG1DUL, activating Mount Adams.)
This one was a workout. The drive up was fairly straightforward: Exit 47 on I-90 to Tinkham Rd, then up the hill on NF-5510, until you reach the parking area and gate. NW Forest pass required.
In order to promote SOTA operations in North America, September 8-9 has been
designated NA-SOTA weekend.
Black Butte is one of those mountains that is very recognizable and easy to spot on the horizon. Not because it has any disctinctive features, but rather because it has none. It looms darkly over the desert of central oregon as a perfect cone, easily distinguished from its sharp and craggy neighbors like Mt. Jefferson, Mt.
Hillman Peak is the highest summit on the rim of Crater Lake at over 8150' ASL. This pointed peak is not an easy climb, not because of the distance (1/2 to 3/4 mi) or elevation increase (less than 600'), but because it is so steep with a loose scree surface. Poles are essential to getting the traction to get up the slope.
Barlow Ridge is a pleasant three mile or so hike east of Mount Hood. Although relatively close to Portland the trail is seldom used, (especially past Barlow Butte) and has a nice 'wild' character about it. In other words, the trail seldom sees maintenance. It's a leg stretcher with about 1000 feet of net gain, but quite a bit more elevation change with all the ups and downs along the ridge line. Quite a bit more.
My wife, Christina, and I hiked/climbed Llao rock for the views and the activation. For those new to this summit, this should be on your to do list. The 1 mile or so hike with about 700' of elevation rise is a moderate climb up a mostly meadowed hill. When you get to the top, the views are breathtaking. Note closure in 2013: http://www.pnwsota.org/blog/k7atn/2014-july-27/llao-rock-or-closed-public
My wife, Christina, and I climbed Mt Scott, the highest point in Crater Lake NP. At 8938' ASL, it is an 8 point summit (just shy of 10 points). The popular trail is moderate, climbing 1250' over 2.5 miles each way. The trees get smaller as you climb, and much of the trail is in sunlight. The trail winds and switchbacks up the west and south sides of the mountain, finally following a sharp ridgeline to the summit and its lookout tower.
When a more complex plan failed to come to fruition Friday night, we decided late that we would head to Lookout Mountain in Oregon for Saturday's activation. We had been there before, and it is one of our all-time favorite SOTA summits. Just before we were heading out the door Saturday morning, I realized I had forgotten to alert us because the decision had been so late. I was shocked to see that K7ATN was scheduled for the same summit that day!
UPDATE JUNE 2018 - Road 27 has deteriorated to the point that getting to the trailhead may prove challenging even in a Subaru Outback. It's certainly unpleasant and rough and slow going. So much so that you may want to hike a few more miles and have an easier time getting to the northern trailhead.