Rogan's Seat, G/NP-014 - 672m ASL - NY 919 030  - OS Explorer OL30 - 4 SOTA points           

After descending from Kisdon G/NP-026 on Friday 31st October 2008, we now climbed briefly alongside Kisdon Force, and then looped around to pick up the wide bridleway edging up the lower flanks of Rogans Seat G/NP-014. The views down Swaledale were stunning, as was the narrow winding valley through which we were walking. We stopped for lunch (Baxters Deli Soups range: Chilli Beef with Lentils and Buckwheat) in a ruined stone building, and then pressed on. After a series of sharp mini-ascents, we were back on a wide firm stony bridleway track.

The final approach was confirmed with a sharp left turning, and another firm track to the summit. By now, the snow was coming down moderately, and soon turning the green of the moor to pure white. After identifying (and photographing) the small summit cairn, we used a large long peat hag to settle in under, and shelter from the wind.

Pile-ups on 80m CW and 80m SSB were worked through by myself and Jimmy respectively. It was another most satisfying activation. In particular, it was special for me being my 700th activation in the SOTA programme. It was also a new unique (my 198th).  The snowy conditions on the high moors were quite stunning, and I don't ever recall snow on Halloween before.

After a long descent, briefly punctuated to finish the soup and have a Double Decker chocolate bar, we drove to the Black Bull pub in Nateby for a well-earned pint. For the final part of the descent, we walked up through Keld village, rather than up over the steep slippery fields which would have been the more direct route back to the car. For me, this was now by torchlight, because I couldn't see. Richard, Jimmy and Lewis walked on ahead, grumbling about me threatening to ruin their night-vision. It seriously enhanced mine!

   

The long drive home was exacerbated by a one-hour traffic jam on the M6 in Lancashire. But we made it back to Treacle Town by about 9pm, pretty tired after being out since 6.40am.  A great walk, the highlight of which was the traverse from Kisdon G/NP-026 to Rogans Seat G/NP-014 without touching a road or car park. The latter was a long old walk though!

   

So, the ghost of Kisdon was exorcised (we only got 3 contacts each there last time), and the reputedly long-to-walk-in Rogans Seat was done - this is a real challenge, being up to two hours in and 90 minutes out.  Thanks to all callers, and to Richard & Lewis for their company and the driving. The whole day was a great deal of fun.  The following stations were all worked on 80m with 5 watts: