GW/MW-001

26/05/12. - Plynlimon-Pen Pumlumon Fawr
Height   752 M / 2467ft
Grid reference   SN 789869

For this activation the Aberdare Amateur Radio Society SOTA group decided to activate Plynlimon-Pen Pumlumon Fawr which is a 752 meter peak located in the Cambrian Mountains. It is listed in the Mid Wales SOTA region and bears the designation GW/MW-001. The OS grid reference for the summit is SN789869 and it carries a 6 point award for activation (plus 3 points if in a bonus period). The group consisted of Mal (GW6OVD), Alex (2W0PPL) and Me (Andy - GW7RKC).

We decided to get an early start from Aberdare as the 73 mile journey would take around an hour and a half. We arrived at the privately owned Eisteddfa Gurig area on the A44 at around 11am. The site had ample parking (£3 fee) and also had basic toilet facilities. The conditions were very good for walking, it was a bright sunny day but there was a brisk wind to ensure we kept cool. We gathered up our kit and made our way between two houses and a farm building to meet the path toward Pumlumon. 

The initial ascent

The initial section of the trail had a modest incline which soon flattened out and good progress was made. 

Picturesque stream

The scenery was very pleasant with a picturesque stream running to the right of the trail.

Getting Steeper...

After half an hour and a 2 km walk we reached a fork in the road. With the advice from another walker we decided to take the left fork. At this point the trail became a lot steeper.

We arrived at the summit just after midday. The conditions at the summit were extremely windy with winds fast enough to make standing and moving around difficult!

Alex and Mal demonstrate just how windy it was!

Andy and Alex Shelter from the Ferocious Wind!

Fortunately there was a stone shelter by the trig point which provided a windbreak and an ideal spot to operate from.

The high wind bending our antenna pole.

We set up the trusty twinlead Slim Jim on our fishing pole and got ready for operating on 2m FM.

Operating from the stone shelter

A view of the stone shelter from the trig point. The views all around the summit are spectacular!

The contacts arrive thick and fast

The 2m band was fairly busy and the contacts came in thick and fast. We soon had all we needed for activation. Now we were operating just for the enjoyment!











Many thanks to all the stations that helped us with our activation of GW/MW-001. Here are some of the contacts made, apologies if I've left anyone out!

 

I think Mal and Alex would agree with me when I say this was a great day out and probably one of the most enjoyable activations we have done to date. Thanks for taking the time to read our blog and please do drop by again soon!

73

Andy - GW7RKC

Nant-y-moch Reservoir from Pumlumon Fawr

GPS Log of route