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

Great Whernside 2004

 

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A special big walk today for Jimmy before he began his secondary education two days later.  We had wanted to do these two for a while, and so with Liam unavailable (who would have struggled with Buckden Pike), we took the opportunity to grab the 'pair' of NP-009 and neighbour NP-008 Great Whernside. On the road at 7.00am, and breakfast at the McDonald's somewhere near Ramsbottom just after 8.00am.

Tom at the summit of Great Whernside G/NP-008         Jimmy on Great Whernside

The route was A537 - A34 - M60(E) - M66 - A56 - M65 - A56 - A59 - B6265 and then the minor roads to Kettlewell. From here I followed the sign to Leyburn up the road with 20% and 25% gradients to climb. Penelope was left at the summit of the road (Tor Dyke) while me and Jimmy headed SE on the ascent of Great Whernside G/NP-008. This started off with a few marshy bits before striking steeply uphill and then cutting across to ascend gently to the summit ridge.

Business was booming with Myke G6DDQ/P on Great Shunner Fell G/NP-006 in first, followed by another 15 stations. After pepper steak slices and a drink we packed up, and returned along the summit ridge. We heard Clive M1YAM/P on Scafell Pike G/LD-001, and having descended only 3m so far, a summit-to-summit contact was in order. The rest of the descent continued without hesitation, save for the small steep section which required a little thought and care.  After then checking that young Penelope was content to wait at Tor Dyke for another 5 hours or so, we crossed the road to begin our campaign on Buckden Pike G/NP-009.   

Jimmy at the trig point on Great Whernside         Summit cairn on Great Whernside, compete with SOTA Beam and Tom GX4BJC/P

Callsign today was GX4BJC/P, club callsign of the International Short Wave League.  Thanks to the following stations, all worked on 2m FM:

G6DDQ/P Great Shunner Fell NP-006 Myke 0.23 watts
G4RQJ Walney Island Rob 0.5 watts
G0AKF Knutsford Ken 1 watt
G4DAX/M Thirsk Dave 1 watt
G4OWG Rawdon Roger 1 watt
G4FQW Accrington Brian 1 watt
G0HDX Accrington Roy 2.5 watts
G4JTV/M Keighley Phil 0.5 watts
G6LKB Ulverston Dave 2.5 watts
M3EDX Blackpool Ian 2.5 watts
G1INK/M Long Hill A5004 Steve 2.5 watts
GW3GUX Anglesey John 2.5 watts
M0SGB/M M62 Steve 2.5 watts
M0HDE Standish Annick 2.5 watts
G0WGZ Northallerton Bill 2.5 watts
2E1BGV Selby Bob 2.5 watts
M0BKS Penwortham Ken 2.5 watts
M1YAM/P Scafell Pike LD-001 Clive 0.23 watts