SeaPac, the ARRL NW region hamfest is June 5 to June 7, 2015 in Seaside, Oregon.  We are having a Friday night SOTA gathering, much like previous years.

Willamette Valley Summit to Summit (S2S) Party
Saturday, May 16th 19:00 UTC (Noon local)
Frequency: 146.55 - FM

This event is a perfect way to introduce both hams and non-hams to SOTA.
Invite hams from your local club, bring your kids, neighbor or invite other
curious hikers on the summit to make a contact. This is a great day to enjoy
and promote our radio sport. If you bring HF gear, we can share our party
with distant chasers too.

The party will convene at 1900 UTC on 146.55Mhz - FM, rain or shine. A central

Attempt #1:

The rough road up to Kepros Mountain is only open during the fall hunting season.  I had concidered attempting this peak with a friend who has one of those cool RZR 4x4's.  However, that trip early last winter was called on account of bad weather.  So I waited until Spring to make the first real attempt.

A very nice springtime activation of Squak Mountain, 2,024 Feet, 617 Meters elevation, a 2 point SOTA summit.  This was a return trip to work HF, as opposed the all 2M FM I used on my first activation of Squak, a little less than a year ago.  We also ascended via the much less crowded East Ridge Trail, through nice old growth evergreen trees, and the lush green growth of spring.  I highly recommend the East Ridge route on Squak!

This is an easily accessed peak in an area that's currently undergoing logging activity. We went up on a Saturday and had the place to ourselves. The peak and ridge is rocky with a few trees and lot's of deer and elk sign. There is a pleasant view mostly to the east. The activation area is large with plenty of room for a dipole antenna. 

Let's take advantage of an early SOTA season in Washington and have some fun. 

Puget Sound Summit to Summit Party - Saturday May 16th 19:00 UTC (Noon local).

K7MK and I headed out on a somewhat blustery spring day for our second ever activation. With snow still on higher peaks and Forest Service roads not opening up until April 30th we headed to this nearby 1 pointer. Per Google Earth and other satellite imagery we knew there was a private home on the actual summit. But, it had been activated once before and the terrain looked like we should be able to find a spot in the activation zone somewhere to setup. Actually getting to this summit is a bit of a navigation challenge.

Tiger Mountain is in about the middle of the Tiger Mountain State Forest southeast of Issaquah. Access is via a gravel forest road and you may want to use a GPS or track your mileage as any signs may not lead you clearly to the summit.

The QRP To The Field contest is coming soon, and I was wondering if any of our pnwSOTA group had plans to participate in this one? Operating a SOTA peak qualifies your entry for a 3x multiplier. Just noticed that they've changed the rules this year such that start and stop times are based on your local time. Everyone runs 0900 - 1800 HRS LOCAL. 

McCulloch Peak is another great peak to actiavte if you are in the Corvallis area.  It is reached by taking OR Hwy 99W north from Corvallis and turning left about 3 miles from town on Lewisburg Rd. Take Lewisburg road  1.3 miles and bear right onto Sulfur Springs Road.  Proceed to the top of Lewisburg Saddle and head back down the hill. Near the bottom of the hill, which is Soap Creek valley, the road will take a 180 degree right turn. This point is 3.9 miles from Hwy99. Stay straight turning onto the gravel road.