Capturing the Art of Nature
A Quick Jaunt up Bear Hill
A lovely place to spend some time before catching a ferry home
Category
Serendipitous Discoveries
Summits on the Air
2019
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Today was out last one in Victoria and I had planned to do an easy summit on my way to the ferry. Originally I planned to drive up Observatory Hill and operate near the dome. This would have allowed my wife to join me on the grass while I made a few contacts. So since we had lots of time, we finished breakfast at the hotel and got our room packed up in a leisurely fashion. Then I drove out to the West Saanich road and turned off at the Observatory entrance. Alas the gate was locked shut. This was not what I had planned for. I guess it is open week-days like the last time I was here but not on the week-ends. It was very disappointing. So what to substitute for this one. Bear Hill was closest and I knew the trail so that became my new target.
We left Observatory and took the shortest back road route to the parking area at the base of Bear Hill. We got there quite quickly as we were so close already. As I pulled in, the owner of the car beside us was just returning from their hike. The woman had a large dog that she stopped to provide a drink for before loading him in the car. This caught my wife’s attention and the two of them started chatting. Meanwhile I quickly transferred my gear from the tool box to the backpack as I would now need to pack it some distance. Once loaded I started up the trail.
I made very quick time ascending the slope as I didn’t want to leave Carolyn at the car too long. Soon I was at the summit where I took a few moments to catch my breath and take some photos of the lovely views. Once rested I picked a spot to setup at and got my yagi assembled and ready to go. Soon I was making contacts. The first were across the water in Washington State but then I worked a mobile station all the way in Chilliwack followed by fellow club member Ken VE7HI. This time he was quite readable and we worked each other for the first time this trip. I now had 4 contacts but there were still others calling so I worked a few more and then when things slowed down I turned off the radio and packed up. Normally I would have stayed longer but Carolyn was waiting so I quickly packed and started back down the trail.
I made fast time back and in the end spent less than an hour on the mountain. It was a fast activation but it worked and I gained the single point it is worth. Once back to the car I stored my gear and we set off for lunch at the place we often go to on our way to the ferry. So a quick replacement summit but I enjoy the views from the summit immensely.