Activating an Atlantic Squall

SOTA summit: Hestetinden https://sotl.as/summits/LA/SF-555

Activation Date: May 24, 2023

Unique: Yes, peak number 200 and something

Call sign used: LA/M0SNA/P

Portable operation: Yes

Radios: Elecraft KX2

Antennas: LNR End Fed 40/20/10

Band/Modes used: 20m voice

Operating highlights:

• Windiest and wettest activation i’ve ever done
• First ever activation of LA/SF-555
• Incredible views
• Soaked to the bone, well almost
• Wind broke my carbon fibre

Pack weight: Approximately 15 lbs

Drive: Park on a pier and hike in

Hike:  ~3 miles R/T with 1,000 ft ascent. 

Hike and AZ profile:

• Easy trail to follow to peak
• Incredible views of fjords and North Atlantic

Recommend: Absolutely

Solo operation: All alone

Cell Coverage: Good cell coverage 

Photos: Copyright Paul Gacek 2024

The only time to visit is August declared Martin.

He’s probably right but it’s late May and I’m here driving north.

I’m on the clock as the weather has turned, yesterday’s horizon to horizon blue skies are gone. The drive north along windy mountain roads clinging to the sides of the fjords, along valleys and then into the bowls of ferries are all breathtaking. I love this place

Winding my way toward the trail head has me feeling reasonably optimistic as the clouds loom but no rain yet.

Marching up the trail and through a tatty looking wood has me wondering if I’m actually on the correct trail. No steep ascent, no hill, no fjord and no North Atlantic suggest I might have done this wrong. It’s late in the day and my window to activate is reasonably short.

I finally break out of the woods and watch the skies. Luck is running out and a crazy wind is rushing off the North Atlantic dumping cloud mist and ever larger rain drops on me.

I stop to put my rain pants on, adjust my rain slick and try and orient my “duck bill” to keep this unwanted moister off of my glasses.

The “voices” have started! I’m muttering to myself that if it gets any worst, I’m retreating back to the car. I persist, the rain abates, restarts and I mutter away again that if it gets worst, I’m doubling back. I don’t really want to give up and eventually the rain stops as I find myself at the peak.

The wind howls and I scream into the mic. One, two, three and then it’s in the bag. Thoughts of staying longer are quickly dispatched as the crazy wind driven rain reappears with a vengeance. As I pack up, I realize the wind was so violent that it snapped one of the final segments of the carbon fiber mast.

Another great day in the bag.