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Ward's Stone 2018

 

Sunday 7th October 2018 - Ward’s Stone G/SP-003 & Winter Hill G/SP-010

Gig: Joe Longthorne

Venue: Viva Blackpool

It had been a cold night in Slaidburn and there was ice on the car windows as I walked across the road from the hostel to the Hark to Bounty pub.  I’d heard the pub would be open for breakfast from 8am, so decided this would be the perfect start to the day.  I fancied a change, so went for the Bounty Rarebit - cheese on toast with a couple of poached eggs and baked beans.  Even at breakfast, I was minded towards a new (for me) approach to Ward’s Stone - from the Jubilee Tower car park to the west, and via Grit Fell.  I researched several reports online, and it eventually dawned on me that the usual approach up the track from Tarnbrook would be infinitely more enjoyable.

Kings House YHA, Slaidburn       On early part of ascent up Ward's Stone

I parked on a patch of grass in Tarnbrook, a tiny farming hamlet up a long cul-de-sac.  From here, two thirds of the route is along a good Land Rover track, eventually leading to a shooters lodge.  I’m sure there used to be a “No entry to walkers” sign at the entrance to this last section of track, necessitating some rough walking on the fells to either side. Anyway, this time, there was no sign of any such sign, so I pressed on ahead.  This was good, because it meant a good track to cover another 20m of ascent, leading onto a rough but clear shooter’s path snaking up the fellside past a succession of grouse butts.  It was just the final half mile or so that became a vague trek uphill on pathless terrain, but the ground was firm and the going easy.  In fact it had been a delightfully enjoyable walk - much better than I remembered it. 

Fairly easy walking for most of the distance     One of the trigs on Ward's Stone

I had a bit of time to spare this time, so I decided to visit both trig points on the summit plateau.  First I headed across to the higher (561m) trig to the east, before switching back to the 560m trig towards the west, and very close to some rocks that offer good shelter.  I set up the 20m GP, using the large rocks to provide important shelter from the stiff breeze. This was necessary to keep the mast in one piece - and keep the operator from freezing to death!  Yes, winter was definitely on its way! 

The view from the shack     My wkg condx

It was a great activation on the radio.

35 QSOs:

20m CW: 12 QSOs, including S2S with EA6/DJ5AA/P on EA6/MA-066

20m SSB: 16 QSOs, including S2S with S56KVJ/P on S5/GS-006, LZ1GJ/P on LZ/RO-057, OM/SQ9MDF/P on OM/ZA-106 & HB9GUA/P on HB/AG-012

2m FM: 6 QSOs, including S2S with Viki M6BWA/P & Rod M0JLA/P on G/LD-011

70cm FM: 1 QSO - S2S with Viki M6BWA/P on G/LD-011  

 

Tom M1EYP                    Large boulders close to the summit                    20m GP

Now it was time to pack up and reverse my walk back to Tarnbrook.  I completed my reccy of the summit plateau by visiting the curious installation right on its west end.  This comprised a windmill, a couple of solar panels, and a metal enclosure, assumed to be housing a generator.  I’d memorised a view to the SE of a little peak standing between two larger hills, as a target for getting back to the track.  This worked out, and landed me at the top turning circle just above the shooters lodge.  From here it was an easy and pleasurable walk down the rest of the track to Tarnbrook and my car.  I was nice and early for soundcheck by the time I got to Blackpool, and more than ready for my Sunday roast carvery dinner afterwards! 

The other trig point     Ward's Stone

All the guys in the band all went for a wander down to the Layton Rakes (Wetherspoons) pub as we usually do during the first half (house cabaret & stand-up comedian) of the show for a natter and a pint of ale (just the one!).  As we walked back to the gig venue, my Fitbit tracker indicated 17,000 steps for the day.  As was becoming usual for me, after the gig I drove home via the M61, with a little detour to Winter Hill G/SP-010.

Ward's Stone     Tom M1EYP

Time

Call

Band

Mode

S2S

11:17z

DL0MBO

14MHz

CW

 

11:22z

M6BWA/P

144MHz

FM

G/LD-011

11:23z

M0JLA/P

144MHz

FM

G/LD-011

11:25z

M6BWA/P

433MHz

FM

G/LD-011

11:31z

SP2MKT

14MHz

CW

 

11:32z

DJ2MX

14MHz

CW

 

11:32z

F6GLZ

14MHz

CW

 

11:33z

DL3HXX

14MHz

CW

 

11:34z

DJ5AV

14MHz

CW

 

11:35z

OE7PHI

14MHz

CW

 

11:35z

OH2KI

14MHz

CW

 

11:36z

SA4BLM

14MHz

CW

 

11:40z

S56KVJ/P

14MHz

SSB

S5/GS-006

11:45z

LZ1GJ/P

14MHz

SSB

LZ/RO-057

11:46z

OM/SQ9MDF/P

14MHz

SSB

OM/ZA-106

11:48z

HB9GUA/P

14MHz

SSB

HB/AG-012

11:49z

LA5WNA

14MHz

SSB

 

11:51z

EB7CIN

14MHz

SSB

 

11:52z

G7OEM

14MHz

SSB

 

11:53z

DD5LP

14MHz

SSB

 

11:55z

OE100RJJ

14MHz

SSB

 

11:55z

IW7DHC

14MHz

SSB

 

11:56z

IU4FLP/4

14MHz

SSB

 

11:57z

F5LMK

14MHz

SSB

 

11:57z

W1OW

14MHz

SSB

 

11:58z

OE8ANK

14MHz

SSB

 

12:02z

DF4TD

14MHz

CW

 

12:06z

EA6/DJ5AA/P

14MHz

CW

EA6/MA-066

12:12z

OH6NPV

14MHz

CW

 

12:19z

OE6GND

14MHz

SSB

 

12:19z

HB9AGH

14MHz

SSB

 

12:34z

G4RQJ

144MHz

FM

 

12:38z

2E0XLG/P

144MHz

FM

 

12:39z

G6HMN/P

144MHz

FM

 

12:42z

M0IHJ

144MHz

FM