A special big walk today for Jimmy before he began his secondary education two days later.  We had wanted to do these two for a while, and so with Liam unavailable (who would have struggled with Buckden Pike), we took the opportunity to grab the 'pair' of NP-009 and neighbour NP-008 Great Whernside. On the road at 7.00am, and breakfast at the McDonald's somewhere near Ramsbottom just after 8.00am.

       

The route was A537 - A34 - M60(E) - M66 - A56 - M65 - A56 - A59 - B6265 and then the minor roads to Kettlewell. From here I followed the sign to Leyburn up the road with 20% and 25% gradients to climb. Penelope was left at the summit of the road (Tor Dyke) while me and Jimmy headed SE on the ascent of Great Whernside G/NP-008. This started off with a few marshy bits before striking steeply uphill and then cutting across to ascend gently to the summit ridge.

Business was booming with Myke G6DDQ/P on Great Shunner Fell G/NP-006 in first, followed by another 15 stations. After pepper steak slices and a drink we packed up, and returned along the summit ridge. We heard Clive M1YAM/P on Scafell Pike G/LD-001, and having descended only 3m so far, a summit-to-summit contact was in order. The rest of the descent continued without hesitation, save for the small steep section which required a little thought and care.  After then checking that young Penelope was content to wait at Tor Dyke for another 5 hours or so, we crossed the road to begin our campaign on Buckden Pike G/NP-009.   

Callsign today was GX4BJC/P, club callsign of the International Short Wave League.  Thanks to the following stations, all worked on 2m FM: