An easy ascent (using the cable car) but a slow activation due to poor propagation, worth 6 points
Although it is possible to walk up from the cable car base station on a good track to the summit (about 370m ascent), we chose the easy option and took the cable car. In fact my ticket was free because my birthday was within a few days; free tickets are advertised on the price board, but I was surprised that this extended to international visitors.
The summit has a number of bars, restaurants and family attractions, but just behind these is some rough land with commercial masts with plenty of fairly private space to activate. I did not see anyone while activating except my wife who had gone for a walk!
I started on 40m, but only achieved 1 QSO: Propagation was challenging and I moved to 15m (using the same 40m bandhopper antenna on its 3rd harmonic) to get just 1 more. I moved to 30m, then 20m and 45 minutes into the activation I still only had 3 unique call signs in my log. Graham ZS6GL asked his son Nathan ZR6BN to step in and he saved the day, in the log as my 4th unique QSO... Phew!
I then managed a 5th QSO on 20m exactly an hour after I had started, and by this time the storm clouds were rolling in and I had heard reports from Jo'burg contacts that it was raining heavilly there. I packed up and we headed for lunch at one of the restaurants...
But the weather deteriorated rapidly and last calls for the cable car were too late; the cable car closed before we could get down. The restaurant did continue providing coffee and a light meal which was thoroughly enjoyed, so we hunkered down in the restaurant and watched as the teriffic thunderstorm lingered for an hour or so (and water poured in through the ceiling!).
The cable car did then open for a short window to allow the 25 or so "stranded" visitors to descend. A very memorable activation for the wrong reasons, but thanks to Graham and Nathan it was very worthwhile!



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