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Queens of the Mountains

Submitted by AG7GP on

Greetings!

It is with great excitement that Paula, K9IR, and I are announcing the 1st Annual Queens of the Mountains YL SOTA Special Event Weekend!!  June 1-2 a team of USAYLs will be activating summits across the states using 1x1 Special Event Station (SES) calls foreach USA region (using the format W#Q). We encourageall of you around the world, OM and YL, to chase the Queens, and all SOTA YLs to activate. We hope this event will highlight the fabulous opportunity SOTA offers for women in radio and motivate more YLs to get involved with SOTA.

2384, OR | November 2023

Submitted by NR7Y on
Summit

This one-point peak is located on a parcel owned by Nuveen Natural Capital, the current owner for what we used to call Lewis & Clark Timerland. Fortunately, the new ownership has continued to offer a generous public access policy with a free permit. Furthermore, Nuveen maintains a hunting season schedule wherin they open a number of gates for motorized access. We took advantage of this season to make for a nearly driveup, albeit in miserable late fall conditions.

W7W/LC-102

Submitted by KD7QOW on
Summit

The mountains near Marble Mountain hold snow for longer at a lower elevation than other nearby mountains, so keep that in mind. Even at 2600 feet elevation, which is pretty low, there was still 2 feet of snow on the road all the way up to where I left the road to bushwhack the rest of the way to the summit. 

There is a bridge out but someone has laid the guardrails from the old bridge across the creek and that works for crossing on foot. You could carry a bike across if needed. 

6693, OR | April 2023

Submitted by W7MTB on
Summit

Willamette Pass is a really fun activation if you are a downhill skier/snowboarder. The resort uses a demand pricing model so you can get really smoking deals on tickets if you can buy early or go on off days. We paid $34 per ticket for our April Saturday, not bad considering they also gave us $10 per person credit at the ski shop or restaurant.

NO VHF!

 

Full report here

Sheepy Peak, CA March 2024

Submitted by AG7GP on
Summit

I'm not sure if Sheepy is technically "PNW" but I wanted to make sure those in the area know about this fabulous summit. It's a steep climb just over a mile up the SE ridge starting at the Tulelake NWR Headquarters-now I think Klamath Basin Refuges. It was an amazing experience of a hike with interesting plateaus and ridges and seeing and hearing plenty of songbirds, raptors, eagles, deer, etc. There is nothing to block your 360 view and it is absolutely amazing.

Nugget Butte, OR April 2024

Submitted by AG7GP on
Summit

A couple years ago William, W6BIL, reached out to me through a local facebook hiking page because I had a bunch of free local hiking books to give away and he saw I was a ham. He too was a ham but had not been operating for years. We touched base and I found out he hiked Nugget Butte fairly regularly but was not a summiter. I got info from William on the legality of hiking, he never had an issue but I eventually gave Gold Hill a call.

Operating Pedestrian Portable with the KX2 & AX1 Making Contacts to Oklahoma

Submitted by N7JTT on
Summit

Date: April 3, 2024 

Overview:

On a glorious day filled with exceptional weather and remarkable views, I embarked on a SOTA activation of Mount Erie (W7W/SK-169). This report chronicles my journey, equipment used, band conditions encountered, and memorable experiences during the activation.

Weather and Wildlife Encounters:

Cady Mountain: A SOTA Activation Adventure

Submitted by N7JTT on
Summit

Overview:

On March 30, 2024, I embarked on a SOTA activation of Cady Mountain, designated W7W/RS-084, utilizing my Elecraft KX2 transceiver. This technical trip report outlines the equipment used, band conditions encountered, and key activation details, including how a local community supports permissible access.
 

Equipment:

  • Transceiver: Elecraft KX2

  • Antenna: AX1 including 40m extension and counterpoise 

mud creek ridge or | march 2024

Submitted by K7WXW on
Summit

Summary - Mud Creek Ridge is a good winter cross country snowshoe hike with an open summit, peekaboo views of Mount Hood and places to hang a wire. The drive from Portland is about ninety minutes on a traffic free Friday.  ATT digital service and APRS were both good.  The hike starts on the road out of the Trillium Sno Park but soon veers off to pick up the nose of Mud Creek Ridge. GPS or a compass are required as the ridge is broad, and it is easy to wander off course on the way up.