Sunday 19th October 2008 (part 2).  Having come from an activation of Foel Fenlli, Jimmy and Aage continued to force a fast pace, and they were QRV from Moel Famau GW/NW-044 before the three of us (Mads, Kjell, Tom) were even halfway to the car park. Nonetheless, we ignored them, save for mention that we would wait until we could get them S2S.  Jimmy's earlier log from NW-051 was as follows (all 2m FM):

Heading over the car park and onto the lower green slopes of Foel Fenlli, I decided to push the pace on a bit, resulting in cries from Kjell and Mads behind me to ease off a bit. I did, and within seconds, Mads was overtaking me and leaving me for dead!

                     

We pushed on to the right of Foel Fenlli, taking the more graded approach to the summit, by then cutting back and following the curving iron age ramparts upwards. At the summit, Mads was again QRV on 40m SSB, but Kjell had difficulty in getting his antenna upright. Eventually, he comprimised to have it slanting away from the fierce wind, but that was enough for him to be QRV on 30m CW.

Over on Moel Famau, Aage was making an impressive 32 QSOs on 40m CW, with Jimmy running his battery down on 2m FM on his VX-110. His charge expired just before his final contact - a S2S with me on the other hill - so Aage kindly lent Jimmy his own 2m HH to finish off.

After packing up, I decided to take the more direct descent down the wooden staircases and steep eroded paths. This was mainly to get more immediate shelter from the westerly wind. As we approached the car park, we could see Jimmy and Aage on the last section of footpath down from Moel Famau. So, somehow, we had made up the time and reestablished synchronisation.

The five of us then adjourned to the We Three Loggerheads pub for a couple of beers and a study of the road atlases and discussion about what they could do tomorrow. Y Garn GW/NW-004 and Snowdon GW/NW-001 were mentioned, but thought to be less than ideal if the same level of wind was likely to be around. Moel y Gamelin GW/NW-042 and Cyrn-y-Brain GW/NW-043 were mentioned as an obvious pair, but I suggested that Tal y Fan GW/NW-040 with Great Orme GW/NW-070, together with Conwy Castle and a visit to the seaside town of Llandudno might make a more rewarding complete day out.

   

A wonderful day out with great company. A real pleasure to spend a SOTA day with Mads, Kjell and Aage. UFB.  My Foel Fenlli log (all 2m FM):