W0C/PR-012 Mt Werner

 At the top of the big ski area in Steamboat Springs is Mt Werner. In the winter, one could take the lift up to the top, but in the summer it takes a bit more work. From the village area at the base, we bought our gondola tickets, and took the ride up. The views from the top of the gondola were great, but our goal was the summit.

View from a parking lot.

From the gondola, the route is fire roads all the way to the top. Head away from the buildings, over a relatively flat section. In a col on the other side there was a big junction. Start heading up. 

Top of the gondola. The summit is the peak on the left.

From this intersection, the trail takes a few large switchbacks up the hill, on the Storm Peak Challenge Road. There is a large lodge/restaurant at one. It was closed when we walked by, but I'm sure its hopping during ski season.

Looking down one of the ski slopes.

 

Eventually the road begins making tighter switchbacks across what appears to be a wide ski slope. This means you're getting close to the top. The Run Rabbit Run ultra was going on while we were hiking, so as I crested the hill I was greeted by bells and cheering from the people manning the aid station on the ridge. I stopped to talk for a minute, then pushed up the last little bit to the summit.

Mt Werner summit.

There is a building on the slightly lower sub-peak, and a communications tower at the high point. I set up out of the wind on the sub-peak to try and stay away from the tower's RF. After making my contacts, and seeing some lightning in the distance, I tagged the high point and booked it down the hill. Since it was there, I tagged Storm Peak before heading down the switchbacks.

One of the aspen groves on the mountain.

I caught up with the others, and we all headed down to find a sheltered spot to have lunch. After lunch, the rain started. It seemed to start right before the runners began to pass us. It got much stormier later that evening, so I wasn't to envious of them. Back at the gondola we headed down to the base, then took the bus back to our hotel.

Trailhead: In the summer, take the gondola up. In the winter, head all the way to the ridge then boot up the last little bit. Easy access to the ski village at the base on the free bus from downtown.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Take Storm Peak Challenge Road up to the summit.

Red Tape: None. If you don't want to pay for the gondola, just hike up from the base.

Video: coming soon!

W6/SS-334 Big Baldy

 We were in Kings Canyon National Park for the weekend, and I wanted to get some SOTA in. So the last morning I woke up early to run up this peak. From our campsite in the Grant Grove area, it was a quick drive to the trailhead. There is roadside parking, and a board with some information and a map. At 5:30, I had my choice of parking spaces. 

Dawn breaks.

 

 

I didn't know how many bears lived in the area, so I talked to myself as I headed up. I didn't really want to encounter one. The trail was easy to follow in the dark as it went through the forest. It was flat, then there were some switchbacks. From that point in seemed to alternate between uphill and flat sections.

Sunrise in Kings Canyon NP.

 

 

It was still before sunrise when I got to the summit, and rather cold, so I continued south along the ridge to the peak at the end of the ridge. After tagging it I turned around, and got back to the summit just as the sun did. The temperature didn't change much, but it felt warmer in the sun.

On the air.

 

As the peak's name suggests, the top is bare. There are, however, enough small trees and bushes that I was able to easily put up my short KH1 antenna. On the air I started on 15m, hoping the band would still be open to Europe. It didn't seem to be, but I got some contacts anyway. There were more to be had on 20m, but no one on 40m. Maybe all the west coast chasers were still asleep.

It was still cold and I had promised KN6REU I'd be back at a normal breakfast time, so I packed up. The run down to the car was quick now that the sun was up and I could see well. In camp we made pancakes, then enjoyed the Giant Sequoias before heading home.

General Grant, the third largest tree on earth.

 

Trailhead: Roadside parking along the Generals Highway, north of the summit.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Follow the well-worn trail to the top.

Red Tape: None.

Video: Coming Soon!

 

Along the Congress Trail in Sequoia NP. Pictures don't really capture how big these trees are.

DL/EW-001 Wank

 It was sunny and hot, very hot, as we arrived in Garmisch-Partenkirchen after visiting Berchtesgaden. The upside, however, was great views of the surrounding peaks. As we ate dinner that evening we debated whether we wanted to go up Zugspitze or Wank the next day.

Zugspitze from the grocery store parking lot.

 

In the end we decided to see what the weather was like the next morning. It was overcast, with a decent chance of rain. So, it was decided Wank was the answer. It was a pleasant walk from our hotel over to the base of the gondola, through some residential areas of the town.

Wank, peeking out from behind a church.

 There was no line to get on the gondola, and we were soon heading up the hill. As we climbed, the views over the valley got better and better. There is a station halfway up where the cable makes a turn. We could have gotten off here and walked the rest of the way, but we were feeling lazy. 

Looking towards Zugspitze. Partenkirchen is closer, Garmisch farther.

From the summit station it was a few minutes walk up the last few meters to the summit. There is a large cross at the high point, and a restaurant. For an activator, the best part was all the benches at and around the summit. 

Similar view, but from the summit. We sat on that bench to operate.

We picked out a bench with a nice view, and I got on the air. There was cell service on top, using the Magenta SIM card we got in Vienna. This helped me a lot, being able to put out spots. Conditions had also seemed to improve after the bad time I had in Austria. I had no problem getting contacts, and even had a small pile up. One or two chasers "worked" me, but they were just calling over someone else. 

Playground and other stuff at the summit.

 Once I had tired of the unruly pileup, I packed up. It seemed like it was going to rain, but we never got more than a few drops. We walked around the summit area some before getting in the gondola back to the base. Later we went over to Eibsee for lunch, another picturesque area just outside of town.

  

Trailhead: For the easy way, the gondola station at the base. There are plenty of hiking trails if you're cheap or want some excercise.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: From the summit gondola station, walk up the path to the top.

Red Tape: None.

Video: coming soon!

OE/SB-268 Gaisberg

 After a rainy night, the morning dawned overcast but dry. Our original plan was to take the bus and cable car to Untersberg, but the weather wasn't looking that great. So instead we had a relaxing morning walking around Salzburg before heading to the mountains in the afternoon.

Gaisberg, as seen from the old town.

After a bit of an adventure obtaining bus tickets, we got on the 151 bus to Gaisberg. Our plan was to take the bus most of the way up, and walk the final bit. After a few stops in town, the bus started climbing. Near the bottom of the mountain, at a stop by a large field, dozens of paragliders got on with their equipment, heading up for another flight. I was glad I didn't have to drive up the narrow road. It was entertainment enough watching the bus driver navigate it.

Hiking up through the forest.

We decided to get off at the penultimate stop. This was about a kilometer and a few hundred meters below the summit. The trail was well worn, and it didn't take too long to get to the summit. The top is well built up, with a few buildings and the large tower that can be seen from town.

Looking down at Salzburg.

We watched some paragliders take off, then found a spot to eat lunch and play radio. All the shady benches were taken, so we tried sitting on the ground. This didn't last long, however, since there was an army of ants waiting for us. On a sunny bench we enjoyed our cheese and bread, then I got on the air. There was cell service on top, which helped a lot since the bands were only in slightly better shape than the evening before. I made five contacts before stopping.

View in another direction.

The bus pulled up as we were finishing packing up, so we decided to just take it down from the summit. It was convenient, and we were soon back downtown. Overall, a pleasant afternoon outing.

Trailhead: One of the bus stops on the 151 line. Or take the bus all the way to the summit. Could also drive or bike up.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Take the trail up.

Red Tape: None.

Video: coming soon!

OE/SB-300 Kapuzinerberg

 It was pouring rain as our train arrived in Salzburg at lunch time, but it slowly slackened, then ended as the afternoon passed. By dinner time, it was pretty pleasant in the old town, perfect for a quick walk up this hill. This summit is just across the river from Old Town, and easy access if you're in the city. Our hotel was only a block away from the starting point.

View from Mozartplatz. Not a very good likeness of Mozart.

 

 

The start is through an arch on Linzer Gasse. There was a small Asian food stand just inside the gate. The first part of the walk up is pretty steep, and there are stairs on the side of the paved road. There were also a number of religious art installations on the side. Stations of the cross maybe? Either way, it seemed like all the art in Salzburg is either religious or Mozart.

Start of the trail.

 

I followed the paved road as it wound up the hill. There are a number of other buildings, and as you get higher, dirt trails branch off. I took one that my map called the Nordweg. It was in pretty good shape, not too muddy despite the day's rain, and with plenty of stone or paved steps on anything remotely steep. About halfway up I took a small spur over to a viewpoint to get the view looking north.

Salzburg.

 

It was dark in the forest, with the sun setting and mostly hidden behind clouds. There is another building just below the summit. Just above the building, in a small clearing, I found OE2HRO packing up after his activation. I said hi, then found a different spot to set up. It only took a minute to get the KH1 on the air and calling CQ.

OE2HRO and OE/AA6XA

 

The bands, however, were not in good shape. In about 30 minutes of operating I only made one contact. It was disappointing, but I could see rain moving in, so I didn't want to stay to try and get three more. I was packed up and partway down the hill before the first drops started falling. To get down I just followed the paved road the whole way. I'm not sure it was any better than the route I took up.

View of the fortress through the trees.

Trailhead: Intersection of Linzer Gasse and Stefan-Zweig-Weg, at the arched gateway. This is on the west side of the mountain.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Follow the paved road to the top. Or turn off and take one of the dirt trails. There are plenty to choose from.

Red Tape: None.

Video: coming soon!