SOTA summit TK-008 Monte Renoso 13th June 2024 8 points

 A high summit with changeable weather, but achievable with the right route!

This activation followed an aborted attempt 2 days earlier.  I had taken the most "direct" route only to discover a mini glacier in the way (marked X on the map). The risk of a rapid slide downwards persuaded me to retrace my steps and re-plan the activation.

The route chosen started from the Campanelle skiing resort which is well signposted from the main road.

 

The road then winds uphill for about 30 minutes and the skiing base provides plenty of parking spots.

I chose not to start from the Refuge site (straight on at the junction) as this is a bit lower, so saved a bit of climbing.  The ski base is a right hand turn on better road at the top of the winding road.

The path is well signposted from the skiing area and proceeds over rocky terrain.  It is well marked with Cairns and yellow marks on rocks.

At the half way point (marked S on the map above) there is a signposted junction.  I chose the left hand option, to climb the shorter steep section up to the lake, but returned on the other longer but less steep route later. 

From the lake I had previously proceeded up towards point X and had to return, but today I took the grey dotted route up to Punta Bacinello first from where was just a gentle walk of a km or so to the summit.

 The weather had been quite changeable.  I set out in shorts and t-shirt, but it became increasingly cold with fast moving cloud and at the summit I wore long trousers and 4 layers including a cagoule.

There was even a bit of rain at the top, but it was the high winds that made the actual activation challenging.

The summit is very rocky with no obvious flat area nearby for activation.  I chose a spot just under the Cross which provided some wind shelter and strung the 20m section of my dipole beween the summit's Cross and another rock using bungees to keep everything in place,

I used my Sotapole to prop up the dipole's centre and restrain it against the wind with the back string tied to a rock.  The wind was strong and gusty, and with splashes of rain I wanted to achieve a speedy activation and then start my descent.

I self spotted and made 12 QSOs on 20m including 2 S2S on Italian summits.  Signals were strong (many 5/9 reports) so I think the summit's height really compensated for the compromise antenna strung between rocks and adopting strange shapes in the wind.

The ascent took me about 2 hours from the skiing car park and 1.5 hours to return.  Just beware taking the Glacier route - you can see the snow and ice on the shady sides of the mountain, and this was mid June.

 

Sota summit TK-048 Punta Muro 4 points 12th June 2024

 Straightforward summit with a nice activation spot

The route starts from the main road at Col de Sorba where there is ample parking.

The route proceeds up the "spine" of the hill in a straight line, initially up past a concrete hut which can just be seen ion the photo above.  It is fairly well marked with cairns but care must be taken when there are rocky outcrops to ensure you stay on the correct side.

 

 There were a few rocks to scramle over and the fir cone carpet made the going a bit slippery, but this was a pleasant climb.  The summit is small, rocky and uneven but there is a grassy area to the right of the Cross where I set up my Sotapole and a rocky area suitable for sitting down.

I self spotted on 20m and enjoyed 32 QSOs in total across 20m and 40m. I did try 15m as the 40m elements of my inverted V are reasonably resonant on 15 but there were no takers.

Larry F5PYI asked what POTA park the summit was in and with his help looking up the maidenhead locator he advised that it fell under 2 parks: FR3082 & FR0764.  He kindly spotted me on the POTA site and some of the subsequent QSOs came from the POTA community.  It is certainly worth including POTA to increase your chances of success as many summits will lie in national parks.

Next activation TK/TK-008 Monte Renoso
 

TK/TK-004 Paglia Orba - 10 points, partially climbed, failed activation, 10th June 2024

 A long and challenging climb but worth 10 points if you can manage it!

This was my first attempted SOTA activation on Corsica and I rather overstretched myself.  I got very close, marked X on the map, but exhaustion and limited water supply forced me to turn back.  Hopefully these pictures and tips will help others succeed!

The suggested route came from Adrian MM0DHY who had succeeded in 2012.  I parked at Col de Vergio as shown on the map (picture below) and proceeded to the Refuge Ciuttulu Di I Mori, marked R.

 

The route starts decending through woodland but soon ascends parallel to a stream,  This is part of the GR20 major hiking route across the island.  I saw plenty of other hikers in small and large groups looking like they were camping along the trail.

The section beyond he Refuge is steep and the right turn that I took (red path) comprised loose rock and scree which I struggled to make progress on.  This final section was exhausting and so I decided to turn back... so near and yet so far!

My next activation attempt was more successful, a much easier 4 pointer TK-048 Punta Muro.

GM/ES-038, Creagan a'Chaise - 722m, 4 points | 19th April 2024

 Pleasant walk to a windy summit with plenty of activation space

 There are walks documented to this summit from Cromdale but I chose the slightly shorter route from the road off the A939 near Ballantruan, approaching the summit from the East.  I parked on the verge near the access gate (opposite the converted barn)  and walked up a stony track.

 The track divides shortly after and then crosses a stream, then progresses uphill for a mile or so.

 

The route is then less easy to follow, walking over thick heather cover and small peaty pools towards the summit.  There are occasional markers but a GPS and map are useful to keep on track.  Worth remembering to check for ticks when you return!

 

The summit has a trig point and an interesting super-cairn, apparently built to commemorate Queen Victoria's Jubilee (1887).  The cairn provided welcome relief from the wind so I set up on the lee side.  My Sotapole could not be protected from the wind, but managed to stay up for the 45 minutes required for 12x 20m and 9x40m QSOs.  There is plenty of space on the summit and the trig point could be used to support a pole.

 I did try spotting and calling CQ on 15m, but noone replied.  There was good (Vodafone) 4G coverage but I self spotted using the SMS service.

Overall a nice walk and activation spot and of course fantastic views.

Next SOTA activation:  a trip to Corsica, TK/TK-048 Punta Muro