Michael W. Geoghegan's Weblog
I was recently able to re-acquire the domain for my amateur radio callsign. Since that is a unique focus of mine I have ported over all the radio content to a new site: KX6A.com.
I have left the original posts here on MWGblog to maintain active links etc. but future posts on radio and my SOTA adventures will post on the KX6A site.
SOTA Summit: W6/SC-405, Sugarloaf
Trail: Traditional single track with short use trail.
Hike: Moderate – 10.4 miles round trip.
Elevation gain: 3150 feet
Self Spot: Yes via AT&T
2-meter FM: Yes
Files: GPX
If it looks easy, you’re looking at the wrong Sugarloaf.
SOTA Summit: W6/CT-056, Iron Mountain
Trail: Mix of traditional trail and use trail.
Hike: Strenuous – 14 miles round trip.
Elevation gain: ~ 6800 feet
Self Spot: Yes via AT&T
Files: GPX
I have wanted to hike Iron Mountain for years. The allure for me has a lot to do with its difficulty. I enjoy adventurous hikes and this one qualifies in spades. As they say on Summit Post, “According to John Robinson, author of Trails of the Angeles, ‘8007 foot Iron Mountain is by far the least accessible peak in the San Gabriels….No trail approaches its isolated summit, and to climb it you must start miles away and thousands of feet below.’ In this local hiking legend’s view, “Big Iron” is the most strenuous one-summit hike in the entire San Gabriel range.â€
SOTA Summit: W6/CT-150, Pt. 4202
Trail: Yes – a bit steep and slippery in spots
Hike: Short 0.5 miles to summit
Elevation gain:Â 500Â feet
Self Spot: Yes via AT&T, SOTA Goat
Files: GPX & KML
With the kids off for ski week we decided to put together a father and sons SOTA adventure. We scoped out a busy day with the goal of 3 summits: W6/CT-019 San Gabriel Peak, W6/CT-089 Occidental Peak and W6/CT-150 Pt. 4202. This is a report for W6/CT-150.
SOTA Summit: W6/SD-044, Pt. 5352
Trail:Â No – steep cross country scramble
Hike: Short .75 miles to summit.
Elevation gain:Â 700 feet
Self Spot: Yes via AT&T, SOTA Goat
Files: GPX, KML & CalTopo
As mentioned in my previous activation report for W6/SD-039 my eleven year old son, William N6WMG and I were headed to Joshua Tree National Park for a Boy Scout campout and rock climbing trip. It’s a trip we’ve done before with the Troop and decided this time we’d bookend the trip with two summit activations. We choose W6/SD-039, Pt. 5540 (6 points) for late Friday and W6/SD-044, Pt 5352 (4 points) for Sunday on the way home. [Read more…]