Cadair Berwyn 2014

Ever since the 2011 backpacking activation of Cadair Berwyn, I have longed to do something similar again. Several objectives and aspirations were wrapped up in this. Could I make an ever higher number of QSOs from a single activation? Could I win the 2m RSGB UKAC (10 watt section)? Could I get Liam to accompany me on a multi-day backpacking expedition?

Having identified the dates (4th, 5th and 6th August 2014), secured Liam's willingness to come along and decided I would camp close to the trig point (827m) on Cadair Berwyn GW/NW-012, it was time to prepare a few things. From Maplins, I purchased a couple of solar charger units - handheld battery packs with a solar panel on one side. From eBay I obtained the lead to connect Liam's Nintendo 3DS to a charger (USB) for overnight topping up. I already had a USB to Samsung connector lead for my phone. We already had sleepmats from previous camping trips, but they had seen better days and I saw a couple of foil-backed sleepmats at a very cheap price in Tesco. The same store also had a ultra lightweight duck down sleeping bag for Liam (I already had one).

My initial choice for antenna was the end-fed + Micro Z tuner for lightweight multi-band capability. I later changed this to the 20m groundplane - a proven antenna for amassing large numbers of QSOs and with DX potential. Also going along would be the SB5 beam for the 2m contest. The final thing to sort out was the grub. I decided that we should start the expedition with a hearty cooked meal at the Tan-y-Pistyll Cafe (at Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall) on the Monday - and end it in similar fashion on the Wednesday. In between we would need five meals, and we sorted this with a bit of shopping at Booths in Knutsford (where we also had breakfast) on the way out on the Monday morning. The meals chosen were: Goat's cheese tart, Duck and hoisin sauce wrap, Scotch eggs, Thai style chicken wrap and steak & kidney suet pudding. Chocolate covered Kendal Mint Cake was added for back-up sustenance and energy-boosting.

We arrived at the cafe around 2pm on Monday 4th August 2014, and after a wander along to the waterfall, had lunch there. For me, this was cannelloni and chips. We also paid for a couple of nights' parking in the secure retreat campsite beside the cafe. After lunch we returned to the car, and booted and kitted up. Our packs were heavy; it was a beautiful warm sunny afternoon, so fleeces and coats added to the payload on our backs. "It's pretty heavy" remarked Liam, and I assured him that it would get lighter before the descent, as we would be eating the food and drinking the water. If he thought his was heavy, he should have tried mine!

It was busy at the cafe. It was busy at the waterfall. And it was busy on the steep route between the two. "Nearly there now" we were assured by daytrippers setting off back down to the cafe from the top of the waterfall. Of course, they had no suspicion that we were heading for Cadair Berywn summit, and we still had a fair old way to go. That first section of path from the cafe to the top of the waterfall was new to me. However, from this point, I would be backtracking along my 2011 descent route, but this time in good clear weather with stunning views. This ridge walk traverses the tops of Trum Felen, Moel Sych and Cadair Berwyn itself. While hardly congested, plenty of people were out walking between the cafe and Cadair Berwyn.

However, at Cadair Berwyn summit, that's where everyone else's interest ended. Liam and I continued to the trig point on the next rise in the ground, the trig point at 827m ASL. The saddle between at 808m was just about high enough to mean that the trig point area was unquestionably in the activation zone. I just figured that this might be a marginally quieter spot on which to set up camp for two nights. I wasn't wrong - we didn't see a single other soul on there!

My Karrimor backpacking tent went up without a hitch, and Liam assisted in setting out the sleepmats and down bags. I outlined a plan for storing our rucksacks and boots in the tent porch area, and got on with the main business of doing some radio. I decided to kick-off, uncharacteristically, with 2m FM. Between 7.15pm and 9.23pm, I made 39 QSOs on VHF, with all containing a good old natter. The weather was stunning and I really enjoyed sitting out in the setting sun in shirt sleeves, and enjoying the wonderful views. "This is what wild camping is all about" I thought - somewhat prematurely as it transpired.

After business dried up on 2m FM, I replaced the beam with the 20m GP on the SOTA Pole, and attended to the important matters of an evening meal (Scotch eggs) and medication for both Liam and I. It was now time to resite the radio gear in my corner of the tent, just by the top end of my sleepmat. The side pockets of the Karrimor tent were useful in arranging my radio and accessories conveniently. The first thing I heard was VA2VL/P on VE2/QC-027, but I couldn't get through the pile-up. As such, 20m kicked off with an SWL logging! Just four contacts were made on 20m CW. It was nearing 11pm local, and I decided to get some sleep, and simply start operating again whenever I woke up - however early that was.

I awoke shortly after 0300 UTC (4am local) on Tuesday 5th July 2014. By 0325z I was QRV on 20m CW and working a long run of stations. Liam remained fast asleep alongside me, although I was sorely tempted to wake him up to share my excitement at being called by VK2KM and VK8AV. I was surprised to have a reply coming back from KC9W (TN) at 0654z. The SOTAwatch page on my phone indicated a couple of 20m S2S opportunities, but like the first, both got no further than the SWL log. These were OH3KRH/P on OH/JS-022 and SV2KGA/P on SV/TL-059. I then moved onto 20m SSB, and enjoyed another lengthy run. This time I did make the contact with OH3KRH/P on OH/JS-022. Liam, now awake, and I celebrated with a breakfast of duck wraps.

Contacts continued apace on both 20m CW and SSB throughout the morning, and at 1103z, I finally netted my first S2S of the expedition - F/ON4OOO/P on F/NO-073. Like London buses, this was then immediately followed by CT/OE5RTP/P and CT/OE5IRO/P on CT/AA-002. I continued to flip between 20m CW and 20m SSB, and continued to enjoy plenty of interest and busy frequencies. More S2S came courtesy of EB2GKK/P on EA2/VI-001. The goat's cheese tarts were consumed for lunch. Around 2pm, I was pottering around outside the tent and noticed a thick grey vertical wall advancing quickly from the south. Views to all other directions were clear - until the thick grey stuff enveloped me. Soon I was being pelted by some of the largest raindrops I have ever seen, and this soon became a downpour. I quickly retreated into the tent, and attempted to resume operating. But all I could hear was loud clicking across the band, quickly followed by the unmistakable blanking effect of noise caused by static rain. I grabbed a dry sock and used it as insulation while disconnecting the feeder from the radio.

This was a major blow to my ambitious QSO total aspirations, but sensible decisions had to be made to look after own safety, and indeed that of the rig. I waited for the rain to pass, then waited for another hour to pass without interruption. By now, the sun was out and the views were back. The QRT break lasted 1 hour and 49 minutes, but at 1522z I was QRV on 20m SSB once again. When traffic dried up on 20m CW around 5.30pm BST, I took the opportunity to take down the 20m GP and put up the 2m beam. I did so with vertical polarisation initially, in order to work some 2m FM contacts. A 50 minute break was taken before the contest, and Liam and I noshed our tea of steak & kidney puddings and Thai style chicken wraps.

My planning was thrown into chaos around 6.30pm with another heavy rain shower, and the station was quickly returned inside the tent. I had really wanted to operate "alfresco" for the UKAC, but it was not to be. I harboured hopes of being able to relocate outside at same point in the contest session, but the weather had other ideas. Even after 10.30pm BST I had to brave the worsening wind and rain as I swapped the antennas once again.

I continued operating on 20m until twenty minutes before midnight, at which time I decided sleep was a better option. But with radios off (and disconnected from antennas), and with lights out, Liam and I could focus on the rapidly deteriorating weather. This poor weather simply had not been forecast but a rather hideous and slightly frightening storm was in progress right around us. Fortunately, there was no evidence or observation of lightning or rumbles of thunder, but the wind and rain was violent nonetheless. At least, my Karrimor backpacking tent was subjected to its first major examination, and it came through with flying colours. "Should we abandon the expedition?" asked Liam. I replied that if it was daytime, we most likely would. However, an attempt to get down this mountain at night in dreadful weather, would be even more stupid than camping there in the first place! Fortunately, I was tired, so was not prevented from getting to sleep.

Time	Call	Band	Mode	S2S
03:25z	SP5AGU	14MHz	CW
03:29z	SP4AWE	14MHz	CW
03:35z	SP9UX	14MHz	CW
03:36z	HA4AA	14MHz	CW
03:40z	OM1LA	14MHz	CW
03:49z	4Z1TL	14MHz	CW
04:00z	UA6LSS	14MHz	CW
04:06z	RU7D	14MHz	CW
04:09z	OK1MNI	14MHz	CW
04:16z	RM4D	14MHz	CW
04:40z	OK1US	14MHz	CW
04:41z	UA2AB	14MHz	CW
04:42z	OK1DAV	14MHz	CW
04:43z	UA3CS	14MHz	CW
04:45z	DL6UNF	14MHz	CW
04:47z	OK1DN	14MHz	CW
04:53z	SP2MEF	14MHz	CW
04:58z	UX1IB	14MHz	CW
05:03z	UY0IF	14MHz	CW
05:04z	RU3TJ	14MHz	CW
05:05z	OK2QA	14MHz	CW
05:08z	OK1IVU/P	14MHz	CW
05:12z	UU4JIM	14MHz	CW
05:13z	RV9CFS	14MHz	CW
05:14z	UR5MA	14MHz	CW
05:15z	DM3AZ	14MHz	CW
05:15z	SV1DPJ	14MHz	CW
05:18z	DL2JQT	14MHz	CW
05:18z	OK1NE	14MHz	CW
05:20z	R2DO	14MHz	CW
05:20z	RV9DC	14MHz	CW
05:21z	RW4LR	14MHz	CW
05:21z	YL2AG	14MHz	CW
05:28z	DK7OG	14MHz	CW
05:36z	RC6R	14MHz	CW
05:41z	UT7LA	14MHz	CW
05:42z	RW7KM	14MHz	CW
05:44z	VK2KM	14MHz	CW
05:50z	R1WA	14MHz	CW
05:51z	UR7IC	14MHz	CW
05:55z	US2LX	14MHz	CW
06:00z	OH6MM	14MHz	CW
06:23z	4Z4DX	14MHz	CW
06:28z	UA1MU	14MHz	CW
06:29z	I2ZBX	14MHz	CW
06:30z	EA3GP	14MHz	CW
06:33z	YU2U	14MHz	CW
06:34z	9A2NA	14MHz	CW
06:35z	9A3JB	14MHz	CW
06:35z	LZ5WF	14MHz	CW
06:36z	DK9CG	14MHz	CW
06:36z	SP8UFR	14MHz	CW
06:37z	OK1CZ	14MHz	CW
06:38z	OM3DX	14MHz	CW
06:39z	UA3IIJ	14MHz	CW
06:40z	RX3ZL	14MHz	CW
06:42z	LZ2RS	14MHz	CW
06:45z	EA2DT	14MHz	CW
06:46z	SM3EVR	14MHz	CW
06:47z	RM9WF	14MHz	CW
06:48z	SM3BFH	14MHz	CW
06:48z	UT2HC	14MHz	CW
06:49z	YU1CA	14MHz	CW
06:50z	OH6OW	14MHz	CW
06:51z	US1CA	14MHz	CW
06:52z	9A2UU	14MHz	CW
06:54z	KC9W	14MHz	CW
06:57z	OE5GA	14MHz	CW
06:58z	S51WO	14MHz	CW
07:00z	OK2BEH	14MHz	CW
07:01z	YO2CJX	14MHz	CW
07:02z	US2MT	14MHz	CW
07:03z	UT1US	14MHz	CW
07:04z	US5WAF	14MHz	CW
07:06z	OK2BBJ	14MHz	CW
07:07z	VK8AV	14MHz	CW
07:08z	OE5CSP	14MHz	CW
07:10z	LZ3XT	14MHz	CW
07:11z	RA4AAJ	14MHz	CW
07:12z	OM3TGK	14MHz	CW
07:13z	S51AP	14MHz	CW
07:14z	US1US	14MHz	CW
07:15z	DJ5AV	14MHz	CW
07:15z	OE6GND	14MHz	CW
07:16z	UX1IM	14MHz	CW
07:17z	DL1VJL	14MHz	CW
07:18z	SP9AMH	14MHz	CW
07:19z	SM5ELV	14MHz	CW
07:21z	I5FLN	14MHz	CW
07:21z	OH6TN	14MHz	CW
07:23z	OE5HSL	14MHz	CW
07:23z	OE6WIG	14MHz	CW
07:24z	UT4UP	14MHz	CW
07:25z	EA3DN	14MHz	CW
07:25z	EU2MM	14MHz	CW
07:26z	EB2CZF	14MHz	CW
07:26z	YO5OHO	14MHz	CW
07:27z	SP5BWO	14MHz	CW
07:28z	DL2HWI	14MHz	CW
07:29z	YO2MFC	14MHz	CW
07:30z	DL3HXX	14MHz	CW
07:30z	PA3CNI	14MHz	CW
07:32z	IZ7DMT	14MHz	CW
07:33z	OM5DP	14MHz	CW
07:33z	UA3DPM	14MHz	CW
07:34z	OM5MX	14MHz	CW
07:35z	DF1AI	14MHz	CW
07:35z	DL3RDM	14MHz	CW
07:35z	SM3KIF	14MHz	CW
07:49z	EA2DT	14MHz	SSB
07:52z	EA2DZX	14MHz	SSB
07:55z	DF5WA	14MHz	SSB
07:55z	DL8UVG	14MHz	SSB
07:56z	LZ1ZC	14MHz	SSB
07:58z	IW5DOK	14MHz	SSB
07:59z	GW4VPX	14MHz	SSB
08:19z	OH3KRH/P	14MHz	SSB	OH/JS-022
08:25z	DJ9MH	14MHz	SSB
08:26z	OM8AKX	14MHz	SSB
08:27z	EB5TT	14MHz	SSB
08:29z	EA2EX	14MHz	SSB
08:31z	DJ3XM	14MHz	SSB
08:31z	SM6DER	14MHz	SSB
08:33z	AM02IF	14MHz	SSB
08:34z	IK0JMT	14MHz	SSB
08:35z	EA2DNY	14MHz	SSB
08:39z	G6ODU	14MHz	SSB
08:39z	IZ0FCZ	14MHz	SSB
08:40z	EA2CKX	14MHz	SSB
08:40z	EA7ITL	14MHz	SSB
08:41z	EA3GIN	14MHz	SSB
08:46z	ID8/IZ8OGM	14MHz	SSB
08:50z	DF5KB	14MHz	SSB
08:53z	HB9MKV	14MHz	SSB
08:54z	IZ0ARL	14MHz	SSB
09:04z	OK2BKQ	14MHz	CW
09:10z	S58KA	14MHz	CW
09:11z	SP5BB	14MHz	CW
09:13z	UA3RF	14MHz	CW
09:14z	SP6CPK/2	14MHz	CW
09:16z	DL2JIM	14MHz	CW
09:17z	RX9WN	14MHz	CW
09:18z	DJ2AX	14MHz	CW
09:19z	OM70SNP	14MHz	CW
09:20z	DJ4EY	14MHz	CW
09:20z	SP9CQD	14MHz	CW
09:23z	DL1DEJ	14MHz	CW
09:26z	9A6AS/P	14MHz	CW
09:28z	G4RRM	14MHz	CW
09:30z	UR7ET	14MHz	CW
09:31z	SM6CPY	14MHz	CW
09:32z	DK3VC	14MHz	CW
09:35z	OH2BN	14MHz	CW
09:39z	SP9QJ	14MHz	CW
09:41z	F5MPS	14MHz	CW
09:43z	DK5VA	14MHz	CW
09:43z	OK1GT	14MHz	CW
09:44z	UR4LCB	14MHz	CW
09:45z	OK1FAO/P	14MHz	CW
09:47z	OM4WW	14MHz	CW
09:48z	UA1CT	14MHz	CW
09:49z	OK1DLA	14MHz	CW
09:52z	S51NP	14MHz	CW
09:54z	OK1FLK	14MHz	CW
09:57z	K1RIF	14MHz	CW
09:58z	IQ6FU	14MHz	CW
09:58z	OK1QM	14MHz	CW
10:00z	DL8SCT	14MHz	CW
10:03z	SP4NKU	14MHz	CW
10:04z	HA1ST	14MHz	CW
10:07z	RA4LO	14MHz	CW
10:12z	HB9DAX	14MHz	CW
10:18z	S52CU	14MHz	CW
10:18z	SP9EM	14MHz	CW
10:21z	DL9UAA	14MHz	CW
10:25z	HB9AGH	14MHz	CW
10:26z	DL1FU	14MHz	CW
10:37z	IK6DIN	14MHz	CW
10:39z	EA2BDS	14MHz	CW
10:48z	I5FLN	14MHz	SSB
10:49z	DM5BB	14MHz	SSB
10:50z	CU3EJ	14MHz	SSB
10:50z	IK1GPG	14MHz	SSB
10:51z	DF1YQ	14MHz	SSB
10:51z	I5JFG	14MHz	SSB
10:52z	IK2ZJR	14MHz	SSB
10:52z	OK2JR	14MHz	SSB
10:53z	IK3SCB	14MHz	SSB
10:53z	IW2NXI	14MHz	SSB
10:54z	DL5EBG	14MHz	SSB
10:54z	EA4GIB	14MHz	SSB
10:54z	SQ3JPV	14MHz	SSB
10:55z	IT9ABN	14MHz	SSB
10:55z	ON4TA	14MHz	SSB
10:55z	SM7LPY	14MHz	SSB
10:56z	DL9ZEA	14MHz	SSB
10:56z	W1OW	14MHz	SSB
10:57z	HA6NF	14MHz	SSB
10:57z	RA3RGQ	14MHz	SSB
10:58z	DL2ND	14MHz	SSB
11:00z	SM4BNZ	14MHz	SSB
11:00z	UR7ET	14MHz	SSB
11:03z	F/ON4OOO/P	14MHz	SSB	F/NO-073
11:22z	CT/OE5RTP/P	14MHz	SSB	CT/AA-002
11:23z	CT/OE5IRO/P	14MHz	SSB	CT/AA-002
11:26z	HB9AGH	14MHz	SSB
11:28z	DJ5AV	14MHz	SSB
11:29z	S56IHX	14MHz	SSB
11:42z	OH6RP	14MHz	CW
11:48z	SM4BNZ	14MHz	CW
11:50z	DL6ER	14MHz	CW
12:09z	K4DY	14MHz	CW
12:13z	HA4TJ	14MHz	CW
12:17z	DL9UJF	14MHz	CW
12:18z	OH3OJ	14MHz	CW
12:19z	UT5PI	14MHz	CW
12:20z	DL2ASG	14MHz	CW
12:21z	HA4GGU	14MHz	CW
12:22z	W3ZZ	14MHz	CW
12:25z	VE3XN	14MHz	CW
12:42z	CT1HIX	14MHz	SSB
12:45z	EB2GKK	14MHz	SSB	EA2/VI-001
12:50z	EA2LU	14MHz	SSB
12:51z	SP6OJG	14MHz	SSB
12:52z	SP6KEP	14MHz	SSB
12:53z	IK3DRO	14MHz	SSB
12:54z	ES1IP	14MHz	SSB
12:55z	IK2XDF	14MHz	SSB
12:56z	EC5CSW	14MHz	SSB
12:57z	DL1NPG	14MHz	SSB
12:57z	IZ1UKG	14MHz	SSB
12:57z	RA1AVP/1	14MHz	SSB
12:58z	S57S	14MHz	SSB
12:59z	EA8CXH	14MHz	SSB
13:00z	SP2AOB	14MHz	SSB
13:01z	F1BLL	14MHz	SSB
13:02z	DL2NAI	14MHz	SSB
13:04z	SQ9CWO	14MHz	SSB
13:06z	YO3JW	14MHz	SSB
13:07z	G6TUH	14MHz	SSB
13:08z	HA8DD	14MHz	SSB
13:09z	ON3ANY	14MHz	SSB
13:09z	US2WU	14MHz	SSB
13:10z	IZ1JAN	14MHz	SSB
13:11z	HA8XP	14MHz	SSB
13:12z	SV2OXS	14MHz	SSB
13:13z	OE7FMH	14MHz	SSB
13:18z	F6IPR	14MHz	SSB
13:21z	OK1MAS	14MHz	CW
13:22z	YO7ARY	14MHz	CW
13:23z	UR7UT	14MHz	CW
13:29z	YL2TQ	14MHz	CW
13:33z	OH7NGM	14MHz	CW
15:22z	E77O	14MHz	CW
15:23z	DJ1PQ	14MHz	CW
15:24z	RV6H	14MHz	CW
15:25z	EA5WA	14MHz	CW
15:27z	OM1AX	14MHz	CW
15:28z	DL9MDW	14MHz	CW
15:31z	HB9BQU	14MHz	CW
15:32z	OH2NOS	14MHz	CW
15:32z	OK2PDT	14MHz	CW
15:33z	PA0B	14MHz	CW
15:33z	PA9CW	14MHz	CW
15:34z	DL3JPN	14MHz	CW
15:34z	LZ1YW	14MHz	CW
15:35z	DK3SB	14MHz	CW
15:36z	I1NOL	14MHz	CW
15:37z	OK4IT	14MHz	CW
15:39z	DH8RS	14MHz	CW
15:40z	N7UN	14MHz	CW
15:41z	N4EX	14MHz	CW
15:53z	OK1SDE	14MHz	SSB
15:54z	IU1CYQ	14MHz	SSB
16:00z	HA0LG	14MHz	SSB
16:02z	I3ZSX	14MHz	SSB
16:07z	EA4YT	14MHz	SSB
16:07z	EA5HJY	14MHz	SSB
16:08z	EA4GU	14MHz	SSB
16:08z	EA5NR	14MHz	SSB
16:08z	IZ6OYU	14MHz	SSB
16:09z	HA4XG	14MHz	SSB
16:09z	OZ7KIM	14MHz	SSB
16:11z	RZ3DN	14MHz	SSB
16:11z	SP8LEP	14MHz	SSB
16:12z	EU2MM	14MHz	SSB
16:12z	SA2APO	14MHz	SSB
16:13z	DL6CNG	14MHz	SSB
16:13z	F8AAB	14MHz	SSB
16:15z	9A6W	14MHz	SSB
16:15z	DL6ATM	14MHz	SSB
16:15z	LZ1RAY	14MHz	SSB
16:17z	EA5IEZ	14MHz	SSB
16:19z	DF2GN/P	14MHz	SSB	DM/BW-159
16:21z	OM7OM	14MHz	SSB
16:25z	OZ7JZ	14MHz	CW
16:28z	OM1DM	14MHz	CW
16:31z	EW8OD	14MHz	CW
17:00z	2E0NSR	144MHz	FM
17:02z	M6PMA	144MHz	FM
17:05z	M6CEQ	144MHz	FM
17:10z	G6UYG/M	144MHz	FM
17:12z	2E0DSS	144MHz	FM
17:16z	G0DOU	144MHz	FM
17:22z	G0HCT	144MHz	FM
17:29z	M0MTJ	144MHz	FM
17:36z	2E0BKW	144MHz	FM
17:47z	G1VMJ	144MHz	FM
17:52z	G0LGS	144MHz	FM
17:53z	M3HJH	144MHz	FM
17:55z	G6PYI/M	144MHz	FM
17:58z	M6SHI/M	144MHz	FM
17:59z	G8ZVZ	144MHz	FM
18:00z	M3NHA	144MHz	FM
18:01z	M6NHA	144MHz	FM
18:04z	M1AIU/M	144MHz	FM
18:09z	GW3RIB	144MHz	FM
18:10z	M6KOP	144MHz	FM
19:00z	G4WLC/P	144MHz	SSB
19:01z	MW0TMH/P	144MHz	SSB
19:05z	2W0JYN	144MHz	SSB
19:07z	G8DTF	144MHz	SSB
19:10z	G3TBK/P	144MHz	SSB
19:11z	2E0YZA/P	144MHz	SSB
19:12z	G4LDL/P	144MHz	SSB
19:13z	G4CFP/P	144MHz	SSB
19:14z	G5BBL/P	144MHz	SSB
19:15z	MM0GPZ/P	144MHz	SSB
19:17z	M0LEX/P	144MHz	SSB
19:18z	M0RSD	144MHz	SSB
19:20z	M0IRQ/P	144MHz	SSB
19:22z	G4IRC	144MHz	SSB
19:24z	2E0JJM	144MHz	SSB
19:25z	G1WAC	144MHz	SSB
19:26z	G0KHK/P	144MHz	SSB
19:27z	M5MUF	144MHz	SSB
19:29z	G4CLA	144MHz	SSB
19:30z	M0VXX/P	144MHz	SSB
19:33z	G4FZN/P	144MHz	SSB
19:34z	G3PHO	144MHz	SSB
19:34z	M0NGE/P	144MHz	SSB
19:35z	M1DDD/P	144MHz	SSB
19:37z	G4TJC/P	144MHz	SSB
19:38z	G0HVQ	144MHz	SSB
19:39z	G3UVR	144MHz	SSB
19:41z	G0PJX	144MHz	SSB
19:41z	M3RNX	144MHz	SSB
19:42z	G6HFF	144MHz	SSB
19:43z	G4XPE	144MHz	SSB
19:44z	G0NAJ	144MHz	SSB
19:45z	G0CER	144MHz	SSB
19:45z	G0TRB	144MHz	SSB
19:47z	G8NVX/P	144MHz	SSB
19:48z	G1AJI	144MHz	SSB
19:50z	G3VER	144MHz	SSB
19:53z	G1SWH	144MHz	SSB
19:54z	M0DXR/P	144MHz	SSB
19:56z	G8XVJ/P	144MHz	SSB
20:00z	M0CGL	144MHz	SSB
20:03z	M0BUL/P	144MHz	SSB
20:04z	M6NHA	144MHz	SSB
20:08z	F1VNR/P	144MHz	SSB
20:09z	M0COP/P	144MHz	SSB
20:12z	G0HEL/P	144MHz	SSB
20:17z	G7RAU	144MHz	SSB
20:18z	GW4BVE	144MHz	SSB
20:19z	M0BTZ	144MHz	SSB
20:20z	G8BUN	144MHz	SSB
20:21z	G4NTY	144MHz	SSB
20:25z	GM4JR	144MHz	SSB
20:27z	G3PYE/P	144MHz	SSB
20:31z	G8LZE	144MHz	SSB
20:37z	G0KLX	144MHz	SSB
20:38z	G6DOD/P	144MHz	SSB
20:40z	G3YGG/A	144MHz	SSB
20:40z	M1MHZ	144MHz	SSB
20:42z	G0LGS	144MHz	SSB
20:46z	G4ODA	144MHz	SSB
20:46z	M0HGY	144MHz	SSB
20:47z	G4NBS	144MHz	SSB
20:47z	G8ZRE	144MHz	SSB
20:48z	G3SMT	144MHz	SSB
20:48z	G6UW	144MHz	SSB
20:49z	G4NDM/P	144MHz	SSB
20:49z	M5AML	144MHz	SSB
20:50z	G3YHF	144MHz	SSB
20:51z	G0AJJ	144MHz	SSB
20:51z	G8ASD/P	144MHz	SSB
20:53z	2E0TVV	144MHz	SSB
20:54z	G7DWY	144MHz	SSB
20:55z	2E0VPX	144MHz	SSB
21:00z	GM0OQV/P	144MHz	SSB
21:04z	G4JLG	144MHz	SSB
21:06z	G4BEE	144MHz	SSB
21:07z	G5MW/P	144MHz	SSB
21:07z	M0RKX/P	144MHz	SSB
21:09z	G8PEF/P	144MHz	SSB
21:13z	2E0MSI/P	144MHz	SSB
21:15z	G8AXZ/P	144MHz	SSB
21:18z	M0KJR	144MHz	SSB
21:20z	GM4AFF	144MHz	SSB
21:22z	GI4SNA	144MHz	SSB
21:23z	GM6JNJ	144MHz	SSB
21:26z	GW0CDA/P	144MHz	SSB
21:59z	CT3KN/P	14MHz	CW
22:09z	VE2JCW	14MHz	CW
22:10z	NE4TN	14MHz	CW
22:11z	KC3RT	14MHz	CW
22:12z	K2MFY	14MHz	CW
22:14z	K1TQC	14MHz	CW
22:17z	W4NDX	14MHz	CW
22:21z	R7CA	14MHz	CW
22:22z	UT5EDU	14MHz	CW
22:23z	K4RUM	14MHz	CW
22:23z	WG8Y	14MHz	CW
22:24z	WB3AAL	14MHz	CW
22:28z	DJ1WJ	14MHz	CW
22:38z	WA5TCZ	14MHz	CW
22:39z	OK1FHD	14MHz	CW

On Wednesday 6th August 2014, I found myself awake shortly after 5am. The weather was persistent light rain, but with no indication of any static when I started listening to the background noise on 20m. I managed to make plenty of contacts on both CW and SSB. Liam awoke and immediately reflected on the rain he could hear falling on the tent roof. "I think we should just stay here in the tent until the rain stops before unpitching and descending". That suited me, and I was in full agreement. A bonanza of S2S was enjoyed in this morning session, with S52CU/P on S5/CP-025, OE5YYN/P and OE5AUL/P on OE/KT-116, OE/DM5ML/P on OE/VB-420, F/HB9AFI/P on F/AB-414, TK/DL1ASA/P on TK/TK-103 and OE9FWV/P on OE/KT-222.

At 0938z (10.38am BST), I worked G3OKA. Several G stations had checked my spotted frequency during the morning, with the surprise result that the skip was short. But with the G3OKA contact, the frequency was empty. Moreover, the rain had stopped and looked like it would finally remain stopped. Packaway, with Liam and I working in unison, was very quick and we were soon commencing our descent.

Time	Call	Band	Mode	S2S
04:30z	OK1DPU	14MHz	CW
04:32z	US2LX	14MHz	CW
04:33z	SP9AMH	14MHz	CW
04:34z	RA3AKU	14MHz	CW
04:43z	OK2HI	14MHz	CW
04:46z	OK1MGW	14MHz	CW
04:50z	UT7TA	14MHz	CW
04:52z	RU7A	14MHz	CW
04:52z	UA6YX	14MHz	CW
04:53z	DL2DRM	14MHz	CW
04:55z	YO6FGZ	14MHz	CW
04:57z	UA3MIQ	14MHz	CW
04:57z	YO8RSL	14MHz	CW
04:58z	RW3BK	14MHz	CW
05:00z	DL5CX/P	14MHz	CW
05:01z	UU4JIM	14MHz	CW
05:03z	RA1CF	14MHz	CW
05:05z	YU9CF	14MHz	CW
05:06z	OK2PXJ	14MHz	CW
05:13z	OK7MD	14MHz	CW
05:16z	R9AX	14MHz	CW
05:21z	LZ1DB	14MHz	CW
05:23z	VK3AFW	14MHz	CW
05:24z	YO4WO	14MHz	CW
05:25z	HA9RC	14MHz	CW
05:26z	DL1HRM	14MHz	CW
05:37z	DK3WL	14MHz	CW
05:37z	UR4UC	14MHz	CW
05:38z	S53PO	14MHz	CW
05:40z	I5FLN	14MHz	CW
05:41z	HA9RP	14MHz	CW
05:41z	UT8IO	14MHz	CW
05:42z	LZ4TU	14MHz	CW
05:42z	R4CA	14MHz	CW
05:43z	IK3DRO	14MHz	CW
05:43z	SP5ARP	14MHz	CW
05:44z	DL5YL	14MHz	CW
05:44z	SP7FRO	14MHz	CW
05:45z	R1OO	14MHz	CW
05:45z	VK7CW	14MHz	CW
05:46z	OK2SV	14MHz	CW
05:46z	OK2VX	14MHz	CW
05:47z	OE/DF8NY	14MHz	CW
05:48z	DL3APO	14MHz	CW
05:48z	S52KM	14MHz	CW
05:51z	OK4RQ	14MHz	CW
05:51z	YO3BAP	14MHz	CW
05:52z	OK2BBJ	14MHz	CW
05:52z	RZ1OK	14MHz	CW
05:54z	E77O	14MHz	CW
05:54z	HA4TJ	14MHz	CW
05:55z	OE9WGI	14MHz	CW
05:56z	US7IVW	14MHz	CW
05:57z	UA9AFS	14MHz	CW
05:58z	LY3I	14MHz	CW
05:58z	OM8MF	14MHz	CW
05:59z	IK2ZJR	14MHz	CW
06:00z	I1EEW	14MHz	CW
06:01z	DM3SWD	14MHz	CW
06:02z	OH8LXT	14MHz	CW
06:03z	DL2JQT	14MHz	CW
06:04z	OE5CSP	14MHz	CW
06:04z	OK1OFM	14MHz	CW
06:06z	UR5AO	14MHz	CW
06:07z	OM3CFF	14MHz	CW
06:08z	YO2CJX	14MHz	CW
06:10z	RW3WA	14MHz	CW
06:11z	UA9FGJ	14MHz	CW
06:12z	IK1AVW	14MHz	CW
06:13z	DF2UD	14MHz	CW
06:15z	OK1HCG	14MHz	CW
06:16z	YO3JW	14MHz	CW
06:18z	DC1NSK	14MHz	CW
06:19z	SQ5OVL	14MHz	CW
06:19z	US8IAT	14MHz	CW
06:27z	DJ5AV	14MHz	SSB
06:29z	EA1DFP	14MHz	SSB
07:39z	OE6GND	14MHz	SSB
07:42z	EA2DT	14MHz	SSB
07:43z	OK1SDE	14MHz	SSB
07:44z	OE7FMH	14MHz	SSB
07:45z	EA2CKX	14MHz	SSB
07:45z	S52CU/P	14MHz	SSB	S5/CP-025
07:48z	EA5HJY	14MHz	SSB
07:49z	EA5NR	14MHz	SSB
07:50z	IZ3GOS	14MHz	SSB
07:51z	EU1FY	14MHz	SSB
07:52z	EB2CZF	14MHz	SSB
07:53z	AM02IF	14MHz	SSB
07:54z	DF5WA	14MHz	SSB
07:59z	OH3GZ	14MHz	CW
08:06z	OM3DX	14MHz	CW
08:08z	G3WPF	14MHz	CW
08:09z	IZ2QXG	14MHz	CW
08:09z	OH6NPV	14MHz	CW
08:10z	IZ1JMN	14MHz	CW
08:11z	SP5/W7XA	14MHz	CW
08:14z	DF5ED	14MHz	CW
08:15z	SM4CJU	14MHz	CW
08:16z	HA6OB	14MHz	CW
08:17z	OH6NT	14MHz	CW
08:18z	DL2BRN	14MHz	CW
08:19z	SM6VWG	14MHz	CW
08:21z	SM2CEW/P	14MHz	CW
08:26z	DL2DXA	14MHz	CW
08:29z	F6DVH	14MHz	CW
08:37z	OE5YYN/P	14MHz	SSB	OE/KT-116
08:38z	OE5AUL/P	14MHz	SSB	OE/KT-116
08:53z	F/HB9AFI/P	14MHz	CW	F/AB-414
08:54z	TK/DL1ASA/P	14MHz	CW	TK/TK-103
08:55z	OE/DM5ML/P	14MHz	SSB	OE/VB-420
09:17z	G6ODU	14MHz	SSB
09:21z	HB9DAX	14MHz	SSB
09:22z	CT1HIX	14MHz	SSB
09:22z	S57ILF	14MHz	SSB
09:24z	HB9AGH	14MHz	SSB
09:25z	OZ4RT	14MHz	SSB
09:25z	SK6LR	14MHz	SSB
09:26z	EA2BSB	14MHz	SSB
09:26z	G6DTN	14MHz	SSB
09:27z	DG2MEL	14MHz	SSB
09:29z	SV3IEG	14MHz	SSB
09:30z	EA2LU	14MHz	SSB
09:33z	OE9FWV/P	14MHz	SSB	OE/KT-222
09:37z	IW3IAU	14MHz	CW
09:37z	S52DD	14MHz	CW
09:38z	G3OKA	14MHz	CW

I intended making a circular of this walk, and so curved leftwards ahead of Moel Sych to follow the main path down to Llyn Lluncaws. This path is notoriously "airy" in places, and the paths was wet, muddy and greasy. I elected to walk a few metres to the right of the path, keeping the hell away from that cliff edge! By the time we were nearly down at the Llyn, it had become a scorching hot sunny afternoon. Liam and I delayered and consumed some water and Kendal Mint Cake. Liam's body responded well to the KMC and he was soon tearing away from me on the green path back down the valley to the cafe. I couldn't move myself any faster! We were at the cafe around 1.30pm, which was very busy, as was the waterfall area and paths nearby. Liam and I agreed to have a "starter" of ice cream to cool down. Liam then enjoyed lasagne and chips, while I elected for the magnificent steak and mushroom pudding.

Tuesday 5th August 2014 - total 419 QSOs - 20m CW: 206 - 20m SSB: 106 - 2m SSB: 87 - 2m FM: 20