Ousel Peak (W7M/FN-157) SOTA 8.6.2022

Ousel Peak is a peak in the Great Bear Wilderness that I have been eyeing to do for a while. The truth be told I started to hike this a couple years ago but noticed how steep it was and it was much to late in the day to make it to the summit. So on the 6th of August Colten and I made the hike. Starting about noon it was still much later in the day then I would have liked. 

The hike was about 3.7 miles one way with about 3,800’ of elevation gain. It had me breathing hard and the legs burning on the way up. The views are absolutely amazing and I am not sure that my pictures do it any justice. It is well worth all the work that it took to get to the summit. 

I used my MTR3B(LCD) on this hike with the elecraft T1 tuner on a 41' Random wire. On this hike I actually did take my MP1 Super Antenna but I made the choice to retire this antenna. My coil is just worn out and it is much heavier then I want to carry with me. Wires are much better for me and the Super Antenna is going to go back in the Antenna bin. This was left over from when I first started Summits on the Air and was using a FT857d, SLAB Battery, and the Super Antenna...not any longer though. 

I am working on a linked EFHW antenna for use with the MTR3 / ATS / or Rockmite radios that I have. 

I did not have any cell phone service at the summit for most of the time that I was up there. Although right when I was leaving I got a few notifications so I am sure that it is possible. I did all of my spotting using APRS. I would not count on having cell signal and come prepared. 

Log Can be found here: https://www.sotadata.org.uk/en/log/activator/show/675103

GPX File: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BCkw4-qii4GmHucqkuZy38H8iB3NR-En/view?usp=sharing

Ashley Mountain (W7M/FN-193) SOTA

Ashley Mountain SOTA (W7M/FN-193)

Date: 26 June 2022

Summit Name: Ashley Mountain

Summit Coordinates: 48.28116, -114.71206

Distance: 10.83 miles R/T   Start Elevation: 4,915

Prominence: 1437'   Summit Elevation: 6,297 ft.    

Elevation Gain: 1827'          Elevation Loss: 1827'

  

https://listsofjohn.com/peak/29059

I am not sure exactly what I was thinking at this time but knowing that I can drive to the summit of Ashley Mountain I decided it would be a good idea to take the mountain bike. SOTA is primarily a recreation activity to get some exercise for me. I do love the drive up summits, especially in the winter, but I like to hike up or bike up as a better option. (A hike up to Blacktail mountain is in the future, Blacktail is a drive up at the top of a ski area). I parked near 48.25329, -114.73812 and followed the pine grass trail to the summit. I would say that this was about 50/50 riding and pushing the bike. I was motivated for the "easy" trip down and kept pushing the bike. 

Cell Signal: Minimal but workable. Was able to self spot using SOTA Spotter app.

APRS: Able to send and receive packets. I did not try spotting on APRS.

Trail Conditions: Trail was in good shape. No blow downs to contend with and plenty of water crossings for the dog to drink. 

Equipment Used: 

Elecraft KX2 with internal 11.2v battery. https://elecraft.com/products/kx2-ssb-cw-data-80-10-m-transceiver 

QRP Endfed Antenna 30 meters (k6ark.com). I used the endfed 30m antenna. I was able to tune it to the other bands with the KX2 internal tuner. 

https://www.amazon.com/K6ARK-QRP-Antenna-Matching-Unit/dp/B09MY4RFYC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PQGQ3WO9MARZ&keywords=k6ark&qid=1657516733&s=electronics&sprefix=k6ark%2Celectronics%2C164&sr=1-1 Support Adam's (K6ARK) work on Amazon. Easy to build and well worth the price.

Also check his QRZ profile...great things there also. https://www.qrz.com/db/K6ARK

Yaesu FTM400XDR - KF7PXT-9 (Mobile APRS) (aprs.fi/kf7pxt-9)

Yaesu FT3D - KF7PXT-7 (Hiking APRS) (aprs.fi/kf7pxt-7)

Radio Log:

HF was very tough today. I believe that this was field day and I could not hear a single thing on most of the bands. I switched bands and spotted multiple times with nothing. I was able to get AE1MS out of Georgia and surprisingly he was coming in strong.

https://huntsmarter.app.link/peLN1frezrb (Onx Tracking and Photos on Map)

  

     

 Echo was the highlight of the day. She enjoyed the trip!   

Lake Sylvia

In the video I was attempting to get a good video of the fish jumping. There were plenty of them jumping this evening. But either way you get a video of how awesome of a lake this is. (If you are from Oregon or California bring your bearspray and make sure you spray it all over yourself for this hike...the Grizzlies really like the taste of out of staters)...THIS IS A JOKE, DON'T SPRAY YOURSELF AND THEN SUE ME!! :)