A pleasant summit and easy hike, accessible from Kingussie town worth 1 SOTA point
I found myself without a car and, to be frank, fancied a simpler, low summit where I could spend more radio time and a bit less effort on hiking and navigation. I took the train to Kingussie station and walked from there, about 45 minutes from station to summit.
My route started through residential streets and into the forest, then emerged to a well made path that rose steadily to the summit.
The summit is marked by a trig marker, but I chose to activate in a sheltered cairn a few metres below the summit. This was a busy summit (even on a weekday) and I didn't want to trouble a steady stream of hikers and dog walkers.
The shelter provided an excellent shack, with wind protection and comfortable operating surfaces. Even so, a few of the walkers came over and a couple asked what I was up to. I was pleased to explain to a Slovenian couple that I had just spoken to S57ILF!
Even on this lower summit the wind was strong and I needed to anchor my Sotapole against the cairn with 3 heavy rocks, a bungee and the antenna's string restraint at the top.
Once set up, my antenna stayed in place and I enjoyed 19 SSB QSOs on 40, 20 and 15m including 2 Summit-to-Summit contacts. I then had time (and mental space) to try some CW, and added 14 QSOs on 30m and 15m.
I retraced my path back to Kingussie station and dropped in to the Railway Cafe for a cuppa and piece of cake before my return train arrived.
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