Activating EA8/TF-010 Roque del Conde - 1001m, 18th March 2026

 Straightforward ascent, steep at times but a rewarding summit, worth 8 SOTA points

I parked next to the start of the walking trail in Vento and followed the well marked path.

 The trail descends into a narrow gorge before climbing up steep steps to continue towards the summit.  The route was quite busy with hikers despite changeable weather (fog, wind, rain and some hail at the top - but I did get a winter bonus!).

 The summit provided plenty of space at the trig marker and the surrounding area.  With a sharp wind I chose to shelter behind the graffiti covered concrete trig block and attach my antenna to the trig point.  There was plenty of space to extend the inverted V Bandhopper antenna.

 

I enjoyed 18 SSB qsos on 20m and one on 2m FM.  With very bad weather forecasted for the following few days I went on to my final activation of this holiday, EA8/TF-0219 Rojar.

 

Activating EA8/TF-017 Montaña de Taco - 319m

 A challenging ascent to an urban reservoir, worth 1 SOTA point

 

Access to this summit looked straightforward on the map, but others had mentioned restricted access.  There were 24 activations before me so I felt this was worth trying, even if only worth 1 point!

I parked along the access road just downhill from a vehicle barrier, but access on foot was possible by walking to the right of the sign:

I walked along the road, ascending steadily until I reached the facility entrance, which was definitely impassable for hikers and vehicles:

 This was the most challenging part of the hike, needing now to scramble up the bank on the left.  There were no barriers or signs preventing this, but the rocky scrub and steep gradient made this challenging.  Once on top I followed the perimeter fence around the reservoir round to the summit

 The summit is relatively flat and I did not meet any other hikers or reservoir officials, so plenty of space and feedom to activate.  The vegetation was fairly low and thin, so easy to set up my bandhopper antenna at full height.

 I managed one 2m FM QSO, then 17 on 20m ssb inclkuding one Summit-to-summit with Fritz EA8/HB9CYX/P on Gran Canaria EA8/GC-006.

I packed up and headed back, and on to EA8/TF-014 for the final activation of the day.

 

Activating EA8/TF-009, Baracán - 1003m

 Straightforward well marked path to a cosy summit, worth 8 points

I parked early at the car park on the road hairpin on the map below and followed the green track North West.  Returning late morning the car park was very busy, and I had to ask another car to move to allow me out.  This is a popular hike and viewpoint!

 The path is easy to followand a steady ascent, getting steep for the final leg to the top.

 

The summit is identified by a trig marker, but allows little space for activation.  the slopes are quite steep and covered with bushes so setting up was challenging.  Added to that there were 3 or 4 hikers passing during the hour I was there, so I was conscious not to monopolise the trig point for too long.
 

I managed one 2m FM QSO folloowed by 8 on 20m ssb.  This was my first of 3 summits planned today, so I packed up and headed for EA6/TF-017 >>

 

Activating EA8/TF-005 Montaña del Cedro - 2265m

 A pleasant straightforward ascent and amazing summit worth 10 SOTA points

I parked at the viewpoint as marked on the map and walked south east on the road to a right hand turning through a vehicle boom and well made track beyond.

 

I followed the green track shown above (SOTL.as) to the summit.  It  starts as a vehicle track, then a right turn up a well trodden path marked with ocasional Cairns along the way, steep in parts but technically straightforward.
 

The summit is flat with plenty of space to activate and affords amazing views.  I set up my sotapole and bandhopper near the summit cairn using rocks to anchor the ends.

I had been in touch with Fraser MM0EFI who was holidaying on Gran Canaria and we coordinated our activations to achieve a summit to summit on 2m (EA8/GC-001), the first one in the log.

Two more 2m QSOs were followed by another S2S on 20m SSB with EA1EBJ/P in mainland Spain.  I then managed a further 13 SSB QSOs on 20m, including 2 S2S with Fritz EA8/HB9CYX/P and Hans EA8/HB9BQU/P both on Gran Canaria GC-010.

A very pleasant hike and summit to start the day... next on to EA8/TF-007 Cruz de gala >>