This was first dip into the SOTA adventure, and it was big fun! Although this is a super easy almost urban summit it was a good way to start and see how things worked. I used my new KX2 and Alexloop and everything worked great considering propogation. In about 2 hours I worked 24 Q's;14 states and ZL! Not bad for 5W to the loop.I did miss one station calling me on SSB-a cross mode contact if I could've figured out how to undo the 'LSB' mode; somehow the KX2 was set that way on 20 when obviously it should've been set at USB. I did figure it out at home later..sorry to whoever was calling.

2.2 miles, 2,100 feet

On Saturday 25 June we were once again heading back from Eastern Washington. It had been almost 2 years to the day since I had been on Red Top lookout. The days are long so we had plenty of time to head up. It was an amazing hike and amazing views.

The directions at WTA are perfect for getting to the Trailhead: http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/red-top-lookout. The WTA site says round trip 1.5 miles. My GPS said it was right at 1 mile and 345 ft of elevation hike.

Outerson Mountain is a practically unknown destination very near the very busy trailhead for Triangulation Peak.

Triangulation Peak is a popular summer hike destination with a weekend procession of sandal-wearing hikers, small children and dogs. It's about two miles and 800 feet of gain and has fantastic views of Mount Jefferson and many Cascade Range peaks.

Marmot Butte is a rather nondescript summit just northeast of Chemult, OR.
It is also about 3km northeast of Walker Mountain. The two can easily be
done in one day. signage is sparse on this trek. Be sure to take map and
GPS to keep on track.

On this warm late June day, the mosquitoes were hungry and numerous. Its never
a good sign when you see dozens of mosquitoes lighting on your rig breaking off
their blood sucking apparatus the moment you stop. 100% DEET was employed.

Marmot Butte is reached by first taking NF9755 approximately 1.2mi north of the

Repeat Activation of Red Top Mountain Lookout.  Red Top (W7W/CW-061) is 5,361 feet elevation (1,634 meters), and is located approximately 15 miles NNE of Cle Elum, Washington.  There have been many activations of Red Top Mountain before, so there is ample planning material available.  Great weather, great views and the good company of my XYL and Dexter the SOT

A fantastic Activation together with my SOTA Buddy, Tim, KG7EJT, along with his wife Masako, my wife Sharon & Dexter the SOTA Dog on Memorial Day 2016.  Great weather, fantastic views from the summit and a successful SOTA Activation for both of us, yielded a memorable outing. "Mount Attenuator", mostly known as Summit Lake Peak, is approximately 3 miles north of Mount Rainier National Park.  Thus it affords incredible sweeping outlook of the north aspect of mighty Mount Rainier.  Mount Attenuator is 5,780 feet (1,762 meters) high, and is reached via approximately 6.1 mile RT trail.  Elevation gain is approximately 1,360 feet.

A great trip to the summit of Sheep Mountain. Trail is almost snow free with some patches towards the top. There is 30-40 blowdowns that will slow you down if you are riding a bike.

This is a nice hike of 1100 feet on a well-graded trail of about 4.8 miles round trip.