Pen Llithrig y Wrach, GW/NW-013 - 799m ASL - SH 716 623 - OS Explorer OL17 -  6 SOTA points            

This was our second summit on Saturday 21st March 2009.  After descending Creigiau Gleision GW/NW-028, we strode up onto the grassy banks from the footbridge and tried to pick a route upwards. There was little evidence of tracks on the ground, so we just followed what we expected would be logical routes. We parted briefly as we chose a different mini-scramble to each other to attain the next shelf, but then walked together the rest of the way.

   

Faint sheep tracks now started to appear, and these we followed as we aimed to the left of the rocky outcrops before bending right for the summit push. A couple of rest breaks - one to down a Boost bar each, and one to chat with a pair of descending walkers - were welcome on the way. Soon, we were on a clear path rather close to the edge of the near vertical drop down to Llyn Cowlyd Reservoir, and ascending to the summit. The hill around us narrowed, and we attained the cairn, pausing there for a photo-shoot.

   

Unfortunately, the cloud, which we were not supposed to see any hint of all day, was now shrouding the hill, and the views disappeared. It was also very chilly, especially in the wind, from which there was no shelter on the summit. To get a reasonably comfortable activating position, we dropped back down into a slight grassy depression between the path and the cliffs. I reckoned this to be between about 5m and 10m vertically below the summit, but Jimmy was concerned about ensuring we were within the activation zone. He counted 44 big strides between our position and the summit cairn. This was equated to a maximum of one twentieth of a grid square on the 1:25,000 sheet, and in reality probably much less. Hence I was able to demonstrate to Jimmy that the lowest we could possibly be was still within the 780m contour, and in all reality, probably within the 790m contour.

   

The SOTA Beam was deployed with horizontal polarisation once again, and I managed the dreaded three contacts on 2m CW once again! Jimmy did 2m SSB once again, but only got four QSOs this time. He then did eight on 2m FM, still on H-pol. I then put the beam on vertical, and called myself on 2m FM, looking for that fourth contact. Again, it was Roger MW0IDX that provided it (shame he wasn't monitoring on 2m CW both times hi!). It was nice to "meet" his new baby daughter Emma, who was audibly demanding a nappy change in the background.

The SOTA flask was deployed with Spinnakers Seafood Gumbo soup, which was tasty and enjoyed by us both.

           

I wrapped up with another four on 2m FM, and we swiftly packed up and got on with the descent. This was straightforward, and we got on in good time. Enjoyable was the return of the views as the clouds broke once a quarter of the way down. We were back at the car at 4.45pm, which was pleasing. It had been an early start though, with a 5am get-up and breakfast at Lymm Truck Stop.

With today being a longer "proper" mountain expedition, I decided to go a little lighter. I had charged up the internal battery in the 817, but left both SLABs at home. As it was, this was more than sufficient. We ran 5 watts throughout both activations, both about 50 minutes in length and made a total of 43 QSOs between us in the day. Evidence enough to go lighter - and "SLABless" - again.

   

We tried to get a drink at the Swallow Hotel near Betws, but after ten minutes waiting at the bar, we gave up. We did get a couple of Mothers' Day cards and gift boxes of Welsh fudge in the shop next door though, taking care of my brother's birthday, and my mum and Jimmy's mum for Mothering Sunday.

Back in town at 7pm, we did the rounds of my brother's and my mother's, got a take-away from the Weston Balti, and went home. A most enjoyable day; thanks to all callers.