Activating I/LO-319 (8 points) May 2026

 A challenging hike up, but made easier by parking at the top of the chair lift

 Following a frustrating morning I was keen to get an 8-pointer in the log and so headed to Monte Muffetto, the closest one to Darfo Boario Terme where I was staying.

 

The two hiking routes shown are from the roundabout (330m climb) or the top of the ski lift (170m climb).  As it was off season and the chairlifts were not running, no one was around to stop me driving up the (good) track to the skilift top station, accessible from the roundabout.  The track was slushy in parts but fine for my small hire car.

 

The hike was still quite challenging, initially requiring a climb up to the pass at Stanga di Bassinalle, then a steep ascent over snowy tufts of grass (no clear path) before levelling out to the summit.  I was rewarded with a convenient operating 'table' and a handy Cross to attach my Sotapole (hoping that I did not offend anyone in the process).

 

I enjoyed 9 SSB QSOs on 40m followed by 3 on 20m, which was surprisingly quiet today.  I headed back to the car, glad that, despite earlier frustrations, I had my first Italian 8-pointer activated.

Next activation I/LO-195 >>

 

Visiting Lombardia and Activating I/LO-458

In May 2026 I enjoyed 3 days activating 5 summits in the Lombardia region of Italy.  My pre-planning showed a cluster of decent accessible 8-pointers around I/LO-145 and so I based myself in Darfo Boario Terme.  This also gave access to some nice looking 4 and 6 pointers around I/LO-195.

 

On Monday 18th May 2026 I planned to head across to the 8-pointers to activate LO-149 and LO-151.  I had planned to take the SP345 from Esine, north of this cluster and approach my parking spot from the North.  I could not understand why Google maps kept diverting me on to minor tracks (often only suitable for 4x4s), despite my forcing back to the main road.

I then realised that the SP345 was closed, and indeed always closes in the winter over the Crocedomini pass.  This was shown on Google maps and on Wednesday 20th I approached the cluster from the South... more of that adventure on that page! (I/LO-149 >>)

In the end I abandoned my 2 hour journey part way to the 8-pointers after a bumpy drive on very rough tracks, and returned to Boario Terme to have some tyre damage looked at.

I/LO-458  Monticolo (1 SOTA point)

 I arrived back at 12:30 and the Tyre shop opened at 2pm, so I headed over to I/LO-458 which sits on the edge of the town and is easily accessible - no 4x4 tracks here!

A short straightforward walk up to the summit yielded a convenient post for my pole and operating position to use, and I enjoyed 8 quick SSB QSOs with western European hams on 40m.

 

 I was back at the tyre shop at 2.30pm and on the road at 3pm, on my way to I/LO-319 >>

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 including 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 >>

 

Activating EA8/TF-004 El Sombrero

 A long and challenging hike on a well marked path to a beautiful summit, 10 SOTA points

The hike was fairly long (2.5 hours up) and steep in parts, made particularly challenging by a lot of scree/rock chippings.  This made the ascent hard going (and tough on the legs) and the descent slow due to the slipping hazzard (and tough on the knees!).  But the path was quite well marked with cairns and was well worn to the top.  I had perfect blue sky warm weather with a cooling breeze.

 When nearly at the top, access to the summit is through a turnstile:

 The summit provided stunning views and a large activation area, and I did not see any other hikers  so had the summit to myself.  I set up my bandhopper antenna using rocks to hold the wires and string in place just below the summit.

I started the activation on 2m FM, with Fraser EA8/M0EFI first in the log with whom I had been in touch as he was holidaying on Gran Canaria.  He was on EA8/GC-011 and so this was the first of 3 summit-to-summit contacts.

I also contacted Fritz and Hans (EA8/HB9CYX, EA8/HB9BQU) on 2m FM who were on EA8/GC-005

 A further 2 on 2m, followed by just 3 qsos on 20m (which was very quiet) encouraged me to try 15m SSB.  There I enjoyed a further 8 QSOs including one across the pond with KC2WLR in New York.

I had planned TF-005 for the afternoon, but my weary legs were complaining and so I next returned to the easy EA8/TF-013 >>