Sunday 2nd February 2020

It was an uncharacteristically late outing for my winter bonus period activation of Black Hill in 2020.  Setting off from Macclesfield after lunch would dicate that it would be after 3.30pm by the time I was QRV, not to mention needing to pack away and descend in the dark.  Not a problem though, as I have much experience of night-time hiking and activating - and a very good headtorch!

I was again focused on FT8, as it was the datamode "flavour" of the 2020 SOTA Challenge during the first seven days of February.  A handful of contacts was made on each of 80m CW and 40m CW, before a further handful on 2m FM just prior to descent.

I had wondered if Dean Clough would be crossable after the heavy rain earlier that day, but it was, just about, OK, though plenty of care was deployed!  There had been no additional rain during my walk and activation, so I hoped that the brook hadn't swollen in the meantime with water running off the hill.  It actually had - slightly - but I was still able to cross it without suffering a wet foot, let alone any more serious mishaps!