Spent the weekend at Eagle Crest just outside Redmond, Oregon and decided to activate Cline Butte which is nearby on MLK Day. Left the trailhead at 08:00 with very cold (25 degrees) clear conditions with patches of snow on the ground. Followed a road most of the way to the top then cut off on a jeep trail the remainder of the way. Trip up is a little less than a mile with a 800 ft elevation gain. I added a map from Google Earth with the route I took up.
New Association Manager for W7I-Idaho
Back in early 2009 when I was working with Les Allwood/G3VQO in setting up the various state-based Associations for W7, I indicated that I would "turn over" Associations to "SOTA active and knowledgeable" individuals who are residents in those states. This was in keeping with the SOTA MT preference of resident Association Managers where feasible.
First was Bruce/N7RR for W7W-Washington where I turned over all the data spreadsheets and a completed ARM document. Bruce went on to add his input and changes and submitted those docs about 6 months later.
Congrats to Phil/NS7P!
Phil crossed over into the rarefied SOTA air of Super Sloth-dom today with more than 10k Chaser points! Wow!
Great job Phil! Now onward to double SuperSloth!
73, Guy/N7UN
Kimama Butte
Activated W7I/CI-139 Kimama Butte on 7 Jan 2013 on the way to SLC for work. Kimama Butte is the remnant of an old volcanic hill located 21 miles SE of Craters of the Moon NP and 16 miles north of Burley, Idaho. For those who study tectonic plate movement, Yellowstone was here 8 million years ago. Acces via N1150W off I-84 and cross thru obvious cattle guard. Drove about 200 yards in 4WD up the hill then decided to walk the rest.
Discovery Basin Montana
Activated W7M/GA-069 Rumsey Mtn with XYL Debbie on 4 Jan 2013. Rumsey Mtn is located 16 miles NE of Anaconda Montana (home of one of the largest freestanding chimneys' in the world, 585 ft, I guess it would qualify for a summit?)and is part of Discovery Basin ski area. Triple chair takes you close to the top, but |
Bald Peak Activation
UPDATE Jan 2022 - The hours for Bald Peak State Scenic Park have changed. The park will close at 4pm in the winter and somewhat later in other seasons. The park website does not show open hours. There is a sign (below) with the current hours. https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=77
Activating Devil's Mtn
Devil's Mountain is just off I-5 as you pass through Skagit Valley, south of Mount Vernon. It's an easy 2 pointer via a gated logging road.
Updated W7O-Oregon, W7I-Idaho, and W7M-Montana ARM doc Revisions
Folks,
First HNY to all and your families. Hopefully 2013 will be enriching and prosperous and that your SOTA activities will expand.
I have submitted the ARM (Association Reference Manual) Revision docs to the SOTA MT UK team. As you may know, we were not successful in gaining approval for a points re-banding of Oregon or lowering the Winter Bonus elevation. However, there was acknowledgement that the Winter Bonus elevation is >= 5,000 ft and the ARM doc is now in agreement.
My last activiation for 2012
With a couple days of non-rain, I just had to get out of the house and activate a summit. "Mt. Electric" is the first summit I've activated that wasn't a "first activation". That said, it was about right for me at this time of year. The drive is an easy one. I won't go into details - but all except the last mile is on paved roads. I've trooped around a bit in the Marckworth State Forest before, but not in this part.
Tumalo Mountain, OR
Taylor and I returned to Tumalo Mountain this weekend to score a rare 6 pointer in winter, with a justified bonus. Tumalo Mountain is a strenuous, yet technically easy ascent. The trail up to the summit leaves from the Dutchman Flats Sno-Park, just north of the entrance to the Mt Bachelor ski area on Cascade Lakes Highway. Because this is a popular winter recreation area, the parking area is packed with people looking to snow-machine, ski, and snowshoe to the top.