Today’s mission was to snow-shoe to the top of Helsey Hill.
The trail
I was irritated because I bought my KX1 and its antenna, but forgot my earphones! It ultimately didn’t matter, because by the time we were one kilometer away the trail was just a huge, deep drift. My snowshoes were sinking in a foot deep each and I was dying. Progress nearly impossible. We ended up quartering behind a pile of logging scrap, eating some hideous premade oscar-mayer sandwiches, and then (compartively) raced back down the file mile trail.
Me hating, hating, hating the latest Garmin garbage product. Garmin SUCKS.
It was irritating to get so close but not be able to finish the deal. As Matt said, we did eighty percent of the trail and expended fifty percent of the effort required.
Matt the Imperial Snow Walker
When I came home I checked the internet. The only recommendation people had for snowshoeing through heavy, unbroken trail was to have lots of people marching, alternating lead every three minutes. Doesn’t work very well with only two people.
It was windy and damn cold at our high-water point. Doubt I would have wanted to hang out at summit for very long working bad QRP QSOs.
Matt hacking at the Lodge.
What took us three or four hours to climb took one and a half to descend. Then we were safely back at the lodge drinking beers and surfing the internet in the warmth of a wood-burning stove.
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Hahahahaha, we were both deaf!!!!!
We went to Everet for a bit of a sight seeing trip and a GARMIN gps. I wanted one with a joy stick to use. hahahaahahahahahahha I got a nuvi350 and it went to work immediately. It is a bit different than the summit but better for driving directions.
So we easily found a park near the Thai Restaurant we quite enjoyed after our docile days adventure. It was raining but there were a few fairly tall trees so I tossed a fish line over one via “tree trimmer sling” and stretched the 99 ft wire between car moon roof and tree. Spread the 33 ft counterpoise across the parking lot. Plugged in my battery pack, antenna, then realized no earphones or speaker.
Man, I really wanted the first W3LMB / WA3SCM contact to be neat and QRP to QRP Pioneer Park, Lynnwood, Washington to Helsley Hill, Yaak, Montana would sure fit the bill…
As much as I would have liked to been with you and stomped the trail for you, I would not have been of any use in the condition I am in. However I have a vivid imaginary picture of you and shannon and megan and margie and dave doing the trek together. Perhaps you will plan this for next year? I could come and stay with Luke in the lodge and Ling could join you as well. Family fun at its best!
Let the good times continue.
Hello Mike,
I hear there’s a nice QSL card for contacts with both the Slaters?
I worked your dad, about two weeks ago, when he was in Dundee Florida.
QRP x QRP.
Maybe we can set a sked and yak for a bit?
I use an Isotron Antenna and an Icom 703 running a max of 10 watts.
73’s
John N8ZYA
Charleston, WV
My travel bog is “My Views of the World” on blogger.com