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

Slemish 2008

 

This is easily the most distinctive and recognisable hill in County Antrim, and arguably in the whole of Northern Ireland, Mournes included. It stands alone, but high and narrow, a uniquely tall semi circle arching high out of the ground from any direction.  On Friday 28th March 2008, Jimmy navigated the roads well from Carnalbanagh Sheddings near Agnew's Hill GI/AH-005, but it was hardly necessary.  The profile of Slemish was unmistakable throughout the drive across, as were the many large brown road signs that pointed the way.

Still in "do lots of summits quickly and keep ahead of schedule" mode, we were a little disheartened to pull into the car park/picnic area and observed what looked like a long arduous climb up to the base of the main mountain. For some reason, I always tend to "remember" Slemish as being much quicker and easier than it actually is! It isn't very far horizontally, but not insignificant effort must be expounded to climb to its summit. St Patrick tended the sheep on the mountain when he was enslaved here in the 5th Century, local tradition informs.

Tom with VX-7R and RSS    Jimmy sending the spot    Operating CW on Slemish GI/AH-007    Click to return to summit index

  We set off under grey cloud and damp air, up the steep muddy and stony track, and decided to ascend the very steep way, saving the steep route for the descent. As the scrambling began, I reminded Jimmy of his performance when we first climbed here in 2003, and he refused to put his hands to ground, insisting on walking every step on feet alone and putting abject fear into his father! This time, he scrambled safely, effectively - and quickly, reaching the final graded walk onto the summit minutes before me.

Out on the summit, the sun was out. It was still cold in the wind, so we first found some shelter in lee of it, then set about setting up for 80m. However, first I had a listen on 2m FM and put out a call. To my surprise, it was instantly answered, and Jimmy and myself ended up making three QSOs each.

We completed putting up the 80m dipole, and I kicked off on 3.557MHz CW as usual. 11 contacts were followed by two from Jimmy on 3.660MHz SSB. I checked the spots and found several UK chasers, headed by Marc G0AZS bemoaning the fact the couldn't hear us and asking if I was going to do 40m. So we put the 80m kit away and put up the 40m dipole. The result was a successful 12 contacts into ON, DL, F, HB and OK - but an unsuccessful none into UK! Sorry Marc et al, we did try!

The route down was the 'less steep' path recommended by the information boards at the car park. It was nonetheless tricky in the muddy greasy conditions, and still not without a couple of minor scrambles. I slipped over and onto the ground for the third time in the day, and I was glad to get on level ground for the final walk back to the car park. Too glad. Minutes later, my right foot zipped across from under me, and my entire 18 stone plus rucksack was dumped sideways along the ground again. The only bit of pain experienced from the fall was where my VX-7R had got sandwiched between my body and the ground. Thankfully, the handheld was unhurt.

Hmmm, four times in two summits on one day - on the seat of my pants. Not good. I thanked my lucky stars that I never sustain injuries when I fall (which I do plenty of times when playing squash and football), picked myself and lunged for the relative safety of the car.  We had a little relax in the car with the radio on and a couple of crunchy Granola bars, before setting off North, this time for Trostan GI/AH-001, our first completely new summit of the trip.  Thanks to the following stations, all worked with the customary 5 watts:

MM0JWH Clyde Jim 2m FM T
GM0GOV Dunlop Fred 2m FM T
GI0ISQ Bushmills Dave 2m FM J
MI3EIE County Down David 2m FM J
2I0DMC/M Dungiven Declan 2m FM J
G3RDQ Stockbridge David 80m CW T
EI7CC Dun Laoghaire Pete 80m CW T
G4RQJ Walney Island Rob 80m CW T
G3OHC Selby Graham 80m CW T
G3WPF Wilmslow Reg 80m CW T
G4CPA Crosshills Geoff 80m CW T
MX0BCQ/A Crosshills Geoff 80m CW T
G4SSH Scarborough Roy 80m CW T
G3TJE Highbridge Peter 80m CW T
G3RMD Cheltenham Frank 80m CW T
G0NES Hollywood Don 80m CW T
GW0VMZ Merthyr Tydfil Alistair 80m SSB J
G6MZX Thornton-in-Craven Geoff 80m SSB J
ON4CAP Oostkamp André 40m CW T
DL6UNF Guben Frank 40m CW T
F6ACV Sartrouville Jean Jacques 40m CW T
ON4ON Dadizele Danny 40m CW T
HB9AGH Zurich Ambrosi 40m CW T
DJ5AV Heiligenberg Mike 40m CW T
DL1FU Biedenkopf Fred 40m CW T
DL7RAG Tirschenreuth Heinz 40m CW T
OK1AOV Czech Republic Jiri 40m CW T
HB9AAQ Haag Fred 40m CW T
DL4FCK/P Bavaria Gerd 40m CW T
OK1KT Hradec Kralove Vratislav 40m CW T