Observatory and Bear Hill

On this trip to Victoria, I decided to pack light radio wise. The bands were not great and so I decided to forego park activations this time and try a few Summits instead. The Victoria area has a number of low hills that one can get up fairly quickly to activate. With that in mind I packed only my VHF radio gear in my backpack. It made packing the car must easier as the park gear takes up a fair amount of space. For this trip I felt I would do a summit on Monday, then on Tuesday I would be with my cousin doing a tourist activity. I was undecided for the third morning.

So, it being Monday, I decided I could do a double activation. The first would be Observatory Hill. This summit has a road right to the top where there is a domed telescope observatory. The road is gated on week-ends but should be fine on a Monday. With breakfast completed, I gathered my pack and set out for the summit. The drive went quickly and I was soon on the top walking around the dome gathering some photos and looking for a place to operate. The place was desolate, my car was the only one parked up there and there was no body to be seen.

Initially I picked a spot just down from the parking lot in the tall grass but after a number pf attempts to drive my walking stick into the ground I gave up, it was too rocky. I retuned to the pavement to search out another area. I then saw that the fence railing would make a good support for my antenna. I had some stiff twist-tie type ties that were ideal for securing my walking stick to the fence and provide a solid support for the antenna. I soon had it set up and pointing NNE towards Vancouver. I started calling and very quickly had a local chap respond. In a few minutes I got the needed four contacts but I wanted a couple more so I continued at it until I had six in the log. Total operating time was about 15 minutes. I then packed up and drove to Bear Hill.

I arrived at Bear Hill and was again the only car in the parking area. The walk up the 750m trail went smoothly. I encountered no one else on the trail while I climbed. Once at the top I had one woman come by with her two dogs. I found a spot in the shade where I could operate in and there I tried pushing my pole into the dirt. It was again blocked by rock but I eventually found a stable enough spot to use. I began calling again. Working a number of the stations I heard earlier from Observatory. Things continued along at a steady pace and I soon had ten in the log. I texted Ralph back home that I was there and he contacted me in short order. The signal wasn’t great but was good enough. I called for a few minutes more completing 12 at which point I shut down.

After packing up the gear and gathering a few photos I started back down the trail. I met one chap coming up and we talked for a few minutes. Then it was back to the descent. I soon arrived back at the car. It was still the only one there. The drive to the hotel went smoothly and I was soon parked and on my way up to the room. It was a good outing, I did a double activation for a change and though both easy summits, it still felt good getting out. I may do one more this trip.