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

Moel Eilio NW-022

 

Moel Eilio, GW/NW-022 - 726m ASL - SH 556 577 - OS Explorer OL17 - 6 SOTA points         Map & summit information from SOTAwatch    Click to return to summit index

 

Friday 12th August 2016 was our last day of six in Snowdonia.  We kicked off, as usual, with a breakfast of instant flavoured porridge at Idwal Cottage YHA, before heading out.  Jimmy had organised a meet-up with Simon G4TJC, who was also holidaying in the area.

Initial walk along a track        Some easy gentle climbing

A massive benefit of cooperating with another activator like this is that we could use our respective cars tactically to enable a linear walk. As such, we arranged to meet at the Snowdon Ranger car park.  Simon arrived with his wife Helen, and Jimmy and I transferred our gear to their car, and bought a parking ticket for the day for ours.  Helen then drove us around to our start point, which was in a rough car park west from Waunfawr on the A4085.

Height was quickly and easily gained on this route        Jimmy approaching the summit

Simon and Jimmy had done all the research and planning for this walk, and I just followed them in good faith!  The route started by continuing up the rough vehicle track from the parking area.  After branching right on a grassy path, we could look ahead and see the remainder of our route up to Moel Eilio summit.  It didn't seem that difficult or strenuous at all.  Maybe we were getting into good shape after a week walking in Snowdonia, or maybe it was the extra person in Simon allowing the conversation to flow freely and divert one's attention from the physical strain!

Selfie in the summit shelter        Jimmy at the summit

Moel Eilio's summit was marked by a substantial stone shelter, and we operated from here, either inside it or just outside.  The handheld transceivers were utilised once again, and contacts were made on 2m FM and 70cm FM.  No DX though, with all QSO partners being in Wales!

Simon G4TJC        Tom M1EYP

The visibility was quite poor again on the summit, but once we began the traverse to the next summit, the views did open up occasionally.

Jimmy M0HGY        Jimmy operating on 2m FM

It was quite an undulating traverse between the two hills with several subsidiary summits needing to be climbed and then descended.  It was a very enjoyable and satisfying walk though.  Looking back to Moel Eilio from partway down to the saddle, and we were surprised at what a big mountain it appeared, even though it had not really presented us with any challenge physically, especially compared to some others earlier in the week.

Summit of Moel Eilio        Looking back on Moel Eilio after the first part of the descent

There were some great vistas to enjoy as we dropped down to the saddle ahead of the climb to the next summit.  At this point, we sheltered by a junction of drystone walls and a gate, and rested for lunch.  For Jimmy and I, this was broccoli & stilton soup from the flask, and a Nutri-Grain bar for an additional energy boost.  A direct climb to the summit of Moel Cynghorion GW/NW-030 now beckoned.

Tom descending Moel Eilio        Undulating ridge route from Moel Eilio to Moel Cynghorion

Time

Call

Band

Mode

Op

09:52z

GW4ZPL/P

144MHz

FM

MW0HGY/P

10:09z

GW4VPX

144MHz

FM

MW0HGY/P, MW1EYP/P

10:11z

2W0KBO/M

144MHz

FM

MW0HGY/P, MW1EYP/P

10:16z

MW3PZO

144MHz

FM

MW0HGY/P, MW1EYP/P

10:20z

MW0BYT

144MHz

FM

MW1EYP/P

10:33z

GW4ZPL/P

433MHz

FM

MW0HGY/P, MW1EYP/P

10:37z

GW4BZD

433MHz

FM

MW1EYP/P

10:40z

MW3PZO

433MHz

FM

MW1EYP/P