Mynydd y Cwm, GW/NW-076 - 305m ASL - SJ 073 767 - OS Explorer 264 & 265 - 1 SOTA point        

Jimmy M3EYP, Liam and myself teamed up with Richard G3CWI on Saturday 16th May 2009 for our maiden activations of the "new Welsh one". It was an unusual day's SOTAing in that (1) we had a lie-in and (2) we didn't stop for a Lymm Truck Stop breakfast on the outward route (much to Richard's anguish).

We took the M56 and A55 westwards, exiting at J29 and following signs for Dyserth. We then followed the signpost for Cwm and were soon in the wooded section. The parking spot was the same one used by Roger MW0IDX at SJ079768.

The walk was along a wide firm track through the woods. The going was easy and the gradient negligible. Jimmy directed us to turn left and then right as we made out approach to the summit.

   

Towards the summit, the path became narrower and winding, weaving around the trees, some standing and some felled. A large cairn was reached indicating the summit of Mynydd y Cwm GW/NW-076, and here Richard GW3CWI/P immediately began his activation on 2m FM with his handheld.

Liam plonked himself down by the cairn to play on his Nintendo DS, while Jimmy started setting up the SOTA Beam. We were concerned about a length of wire that had been left hanging from the tree above, but we couldn't find a way to get any purchase on it to get it down. More disappointing was the discovery of two long sections of black plastic piping, taped together. These were found dumped in the undergrowth right next to the summit. We later carried these off the summit with us, and put in the car boot in order to dispose of properly.

       

A small and narrow clearing adjacent to the summit was the perfect length for my 40m dipole antenna, which went up assisted by a little improvised back-guying around some tree roots. My first QSO was very pleasing - GT7OOO/P on Mull Hill GD/GD-005 - on 7.032MHz CW. This headed up a run of 16 40m CW contacts, also including OK1CYC/P on OK/LI-058. A solitary contact on 15m CW was HA7UG. Jimmy made ten QSOs on 2m FM. Lunch was taken in the form of sweet potato, chicken and coconut soup (very tasty) and the unusual addition of sandwiches kindly made by Marianne. These included the very American style peanut butter and jelly, and were actually very nice!

   

Descending the summit, Jimmy and Richard were soon tearing away from Liam and myself. With Jimmy carrying the map and compass, this proved to be problematic, for Liam and I turned the wrong way onto the main path! Reaching a wide junction of paths that I didn't remember caused some alarm, but somewhat daftly, I tried a distance down both of them!

Jimmy was being very naughty, because in addition to hogging the map, compass and memory of the correct route (!), he also had his handheld turned off, so my SOS calls were unanswered. It was some time later that my handheld finally received a call from his, and he was able to talk me and Liam back to the car!

So ten minutes were lost there, but there was still time to grab an activation of Hope Mountain GW/NW-062.  Thanks to all callers: