A straightforward hike to a stony summit, worth 6 SOTA points
I returned to activate Gael-charn in June 2026 having first climbed it in September 2025. I parked in a large car park just off the A9 near Balsporran Cottages, which was filling up with other hikers and dog walkers.
The walking route passed the B&B, over the level crossing, and was a good stony track for about half of the ascent. A useful early sign kept me left, but the next turning was right.
The stony path transitioned to peaty moorland which made it harder to stay on the correct route, but using the SOTL.as map on my phone kept me moving in the right direction
Once on top I had high winds to contend with and sheltered in the cairn. I only extended my Sotapole 3/4 height and restrained it against the wind with the cord strapped to a heavy rock.
I started on 20m with 3 SSB QSOs, and was very pleased to include a S2S with Fabio IK2LEY on I/LO-451, over 1500 km away.
I then switched to 40m and a further 10 in the log, including 3 S2S with operators on Welsh summits, it being the GW SOTA weekend.
The weather was too changeable to stay too long so I packed up and headed back to the car.
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