Blogs

NS7P's picture

NS7P activation of Mount June, 8 May 2016

Summit: 
W7O/WV-042

My wife and I set out on 8 May 2016 to activate Mount June, W7O/WV-042. This is a moderately difficult hike to the top of a 4620’ summit.

NS7P's picture

NS7P activation of Holland Point on 13 May 2016

Summit: 
W7O/WV-017

I activated Holland Point, W7O/WV-017, on 13 May 2016. This is typically an easy hike to the top of the 1542 m (5057') Cascade foothill south of Cottage Grove, OR.  The directions are given below.  However, there can be obstacles early in the season before crews have cleared downed trees from the roads.  That was the problem I ran into.

k3og's picture

First time SOTA activation for operator and summit

Summit: 
W7W/KG-091

I got up early and left my home QTH near Redmond with a mountain bike in the car along with a heavy backpack full of food water and batteries. I knew the weather was supposed to change to showers later in the day but what a beautiful sunrise as I neared the trailhead off of the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River Road.  The construction along the road is ongoing and road connditions seem to change every week but I have no troubles with my low clearance electric car.

K7MAS's picture

SOTA Activation - Granite Mountain, King County, Washington - May 6, 2016

Summit: 
W7W/KG-037

Springtime dandy in Central Washington Cascade Mountains!  A weekday (Friday) activation of Granite Mountain, together with Tim Nair, KG7EJT.  Granite Mountain, 5,629 feet elevation, with 3,800 feet elevation gain and 8.6 miles RT, is located near the Denny Creek area, off exit 74, I-90, near Snoqualmie Pass.  Tim and I had previously Activated Granite Mountain during the winter of 2015.  This time we also had great weather, some mushy snow slogging, stupendous views and inquisitive hikers at the summit, which all combined for another fine Activation!

AE7AP's picture

Albert Point, MT | May, 2016 (5.3 mi., +2,400 ft, -400 ft)

Summit: 
W7M/LM-139

This is a nice spring hike on good trails.  To get there from Missoula:


 

K7MK's picture

Wind Mountain, WA | August 2015

Summit: 
W7W/LC-146

Wind Mountain is a great hike with fantastic views near Hood River Oregon.  It is on the Washington State side of the river so your will need to cross the toll bridge to the Washington side if you are coming from Hood River, OR.

The toll is $1 I think and is well worth the price of admission for Wind Mountain.  You will pass the parking for Dog Mtn on the way to Wind Mtn if coming from Hood River.  Dog Mtn is another popular hike to a SOTA summit.

K7MK's picture

Squaw Butte, Emmett ID | May 2016

Summit: 
W7I/SR-126

One of a couple Squaw Butte's in Idaho, this one near Emmett Idaho was activated on a pleasant Spring day.  Heading North out of Emmett Idaho, you can connect to a dirt road that leads you to the top of "Squaw Butte".  However, the highpoint is about a 2 mile hike from where most passenger cars will need to park.

 

K1LB's picture

Two W7N summits bagged on May 1 for this newbie activator

Summit: 
W7N/WC-028

Mt Scott - W7N/WC-028 - at the south end of the Virginia Range near Carson City required no walking/hiking at all; just drive up Goni Road from Carson City and park on top where all the dozen broadcast stations are located. The six mile mountain road climbs steeply on a washed out gravel road requiring a high clearance 4x4.

AE7AP's picture

Crown Butte, MT | April-2016 (1.9 miles, 1,040 ft)

Summit: 
W7M/NF-119

Crown Butte is one of several laccoliths that protrude from the prairie south west of Great Falls.  It is the smaller cousin of the nearby Square Butte, which figures so famously in Charlie Russell paintings.  The butte is primarily owned by the Nature Conservancy, as a preserve

KB7WSD's picture

Sunny, warm day made a first time activation fun!

Summit: 
W7W/SN-178

After wanting to get started activating peaks under the SOTA program, a push from Brett, KG7FFW got both of us out to do our first activation at Three Lakes Hill on Tuesday the 26th of April.  A frustrating discovery that there were no good place to park that did not require a Discovery Pass, forced a quick trip into Monroe to purchase one. Upon returning, we discovered that someone had spread nails all about the parking area.