Capturing the Art of Nature
Activating Mt. Lincoln
Ralph and I hiked to the summit of Mt. Lincoln to operate our ham radios and contact others across North America. It was a good hike and we had a fun time chatting with hams across the U.S.
Category
Serendipitous Discoveries
Summits on the Air
2014
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Earlier this year Ralph and I planned a radio outing to activate another mountain peak this spring. We wanted one that could be done early in the season and as there are limited peaks listed on the chart which are registered for the summits on the air program, Mt. Lincoln was the only local summit that fit the bill. So we planned to hike up on April 26th, late enough in the season to melt the snow and have a good chance for decent weather. We also were hopeful a few other members of our club would join us. Well, two others had planned to join us but in the end only Ralph and I set out.
We had a quick drive out to Yale and were ready to start our hike at 10:30. The weather didn’t look too bad – broken cloud – with only the odd slight drizzle, so we started out and made really quick time crossing the highway to the trail head. Then for the next two hours we slogged our way along the steep trail, over logs and loose rock. There were a few places with ropes to help one get up some steep sections and across one rock face. It was a good hike and we felt we did it in decent time. Once on the summit Ralph immediately unpacked his radio gear and we stretched out his wire antenna for our first contacts.
Soon Ralph had a number of contacts in his log including two other operators who had climbed peaks themselves in California! The weather continued to hold but with increased wind and the odd bit of drizzle and hail. I ate lunch and went for a walk around the broad summit. It looked a bit different than last time as the sun was blazing hot on my first visit. A short distance from us at the summit is a solar and wind powered radio repeater. I wasn’t sure all that it was doing but I noticed that I had a strong signal to a Wifi access point, though it wanted $5 to join. So I guess it provides some internet connectivity and likely a link to some rural communities further up the canyon.
Once Ralph had made a few contacts he broke for lunch and I tried a few calls, though I could easily hear several stations on the east coast, there were many trying to reach them and I wasn’t able to get through. After lunch Ralph tried again but now the band seemed more difficult and he wasn’t able to get through to any additional stations. The wind was also getting quite bitter and it looked like rain was on the way. So rather than get caught out in rain on a steep slippery slope we decided to head down.
The hike down always goes faster but it isn’t always easier. I found the section crossing the rock face a lot more challenging in the downward direction and it actually took me longer to cross it than on the way up. The balance of the hike went quite smoothly and though I almost twisted my ankle at one point I was able to avoid putting weight on the foot at the critical moment and so I escaped the ordeal no worse for wear. Ralph on the other hand managed to jar his ankle just 150 feet from then end! I guess he got too excited seeing the end of the workout just before him!
Looking back on the adventure, we felt it went well and we successfully activated another summit for its first time. Earlier this year we submitted a number of additional peaks to the list and so now we have a number to try that are all easily within our skill level. So I expect to do a few more this year.