Watch Croft, G/DC-007 - 252m ASL - SW 420 357 - OS Explorer 102 - 1 SOTA point             

Day 2 - Monday 26th July 2010 (part 3)

   

Jimmy directed me to the parking spot, just off road at SW414347, opposite the track along which we would walk. Remembering the ankle snapping gorse on the final approach to the summit, we tried veering right on an earlier path. However, Jimmy lost confidence in this approach and directed us back to the main track. So it was the same approach as we used in 2005, but it was a walk in the park compared to Carnmenellis G/DC-006 earlier!

       

Disappointingly, thick wet mist was down on summit, so for the second time in two visits, we were denied a sea view. Guy pegging proved difficult amongst the rocks and gorse strewn across the summit, but eventually the 40m dipole and 2m SOTA Beam were up and ready. Again, Jimmy got 2m FM into his logbook, but needed to revert to 40m SSB to qualify, with two contacts on each.  Ten QSOs on 40m CW did the job for me.  For descent, we followed the wide path off the summit, and sure enough this led us onto the track that Jimmy had dabbled with - but abandoned - on the ascent!

   

It had been a positive start to the holiday. Three summits activated that had all proved to be difficult and time-consuming five years ago. Amazing what difference can be made with better operating skills, greater experience - and SOTAwatch! We celebrated with fish and chips by the quayside in St Ives before tackling the long drive back to the campsite on Bodmin Moor.  We looked forward to Day 3.