Tom Read - click to email meBDXC ISWL WAB SOTA RSGB IOTA - see my radio page for more detailsLiam & Jimmy

Belmore Mountain SW-002

 

Belmore Mountain, GI/SW-002 - 398m ASL - H 138 417 - OSNI Discoverer 17 - 1 SOTA point         Map & summit information from SOTAwatch    Click to return to summit index

 

GI SOTA Trip - Activation #10 - Belmore Mountain GI/SW-002 - Wednesday 1st June 2016

This one was a shorter walk than the earlier Tullybrack GI/SW-003, but still long enough to require considerable effort. The drive between the two was extremely short and quick, and we were soon parked a short distance into the Belmore Forest.  Soon into the walk we diverted to have a look at Pollnagollum's Cave and waterfall. Then it was back to a bit of a slog up the fairly steep forest road before turning left at H119422. A further 1.5km of track brought us to the edge of the forest, but a point where we needed to battle through branches and bog before emerging onto open land.

Jimmy at the summit        Jimmy MI0HGY/P trying to get contacts on 2m FM

There was now about 40m of ascent over three quarters of a kilometre to the summit, and it had a touch of the "Sighty Crag" about it - you keep going but the target never seems to come any nearer! I don't know whether it made me feel encouraged or discouraged when I noticed Jimmy setting his antenna up as I continued my slow plod.

Neither of us had particularly good activations at the summit, but we did both qualify. For me it was four QSOs on 40m CW, while Jimmy did two each on 2m FM and 40m SSB. It was pretty clear by now that our alerted intention of an EI summit as a third one for the day was not feasible. Certainly not if we wanted to eat again at the excellent Sperrins Restaurant anyway. We concentrated simply on getting back to the car - a tough walk of around 4km - and then the long drive back to Omagh.

Tom trigpoint selfie!        Nice view while operating

That long drive out of County Fermanagh and into County Tyrone actually meant that we had even less time than we imagined, so no third activation was possible, not even a "drive-on" summit. Furthermore, I was too tired and had no appetite for more walking and radio!  A refreshing shower then some nice beer and food was much more appealing!

The pints of Guinness were particularly devoured when they arrived at the Sperrin Restaurant.  Dinner was top quality again. Jimmy started with Sperrin style potato skin followed by chicken and bacon. I went for stuffed mushrooms followed by Chicken Maryland. Oh, and more cold refreshing Guinness - delicious. Finally back to the B&B and in bed - and fast asleep - before 10pm.  It would be a return to a four summit day tomorrow, starting with Curraghchosaly Mountain GW/SM-010.

Time

Call

Band

Mode

Notes

14:41z

MI0GDO

144MHz

FM

MI0HGY/P

14:44z

2I0DJM

144MHz

FM

MI0HGY/P

14:51z

G3WYW/P

7MHz

CW

MI1EYP/P

14:55z

G4OBK

7MHz

CW

MI1EYP/P

14:57z

OE7PHI

7MHz

CW

MI1EYP/P

14:58z

HB9AGH

7MHz

CW

MI1EYP/P

15:09z

G0RQL

7MHz

SSB

MI0HGY/P

15:12z

G4IAR

7MHz

SSB

MI0HGY/P