Whernside, G/NP-004 - 736m ASL - SD 738 814 - OS Explorer OL2 - 6 SOTA points            

Sunday 30th September 2018 - Ingleborough G/NP-005, Whernside G/NP-004 & Winter Hill G/SP-010

Gig: Joe Longthorne

Venue: Viva Backpool

Following Ingleborough G/NP-005, I drove back down to Ingleton and then up the valley in between Whernside, and Great Coum G/NP-011.  When I reached the recognisable byway that is the start of the approach for Great Coum, I realised I’d gone too far and turned back.  I found the intended parking spot shortly before the start of the path.  I was now walking against the clock, needing to squeeze the ascent, activation and descent into a strict two hour timeframe.  I was therefore pleased to be 15 minutes ahead of schedule when I reached the summit. 

On Ingleborough earlier, I had taken the full pack with HF station back up, even though I’d hoped to activate on 2m FM only.  This time, I took the gamble of walking light, with just the FT70D and no pack!  This did mean I got a bit thirsty, but I would never be more than half-an-hour from the car!  Six minutes of activating brought in five QSOs on 2m FM on the handy.  This was a welcome result, and I could crack on with the descent.

This side of the hill is rather interesting, with the faint paths meandering around to follow the natural grassy ridges between the numerous deep potholes.  I was back at the car in time to hear the moment Europe won the Ryder Cup on BBC Radio 5 Live.  I was very hungry by the time I got to Blackpool.  There was a big hole in my belly where a litre of posh soup might normally be residing!  I managed to get through soundcheck, then sat down to a large and very welcome plate of carvery, at the venue.  We sometimes go to the local Wetherspoons, or occasionally something different like the chippy or even Nandos for tea between soundcheck and gig, but the carvery at the venue itself is the best - especially with the band discount applied.  I did pop down to Wetherspoons after my meal though, with the other band members, and enjoyed a coffee, before giving in to a pint of chocolate stout!  The MyFitnessPal app on my phone had synced with my Fitbit watch, and advised me I would still be a couple of thousand calories in the black - so my conscience was clear!

Back to the venue, do the show, quick pack up and back on the road once again.  I was quite liking my new habit of activating Winter Hill G/SP-010 - twice - on the way home from my Sunday night Blackpool residency gig.  I hadn’t got round to doing a more interesting HF activation yet - the DX on 20m FT8 might be worthwhile at that time - and it was rapidly getting colder! I left my car on the access road off Georges Lane, and had a wander with my handheld. Three QSOs were made, all 2m FM. I then walked back down to my car for a bit of a warm up before my next activation!