W6YX Hiking trip to Black Mountain

 

Sunday, Apr 17th, 9:30am to 4pm

 

Driving time to trail entrance: 30min
Hiking Time: 45min up, 45min down
Hiking Distance: 4 miles round trip
Hiking Altitude Change: 700 feet

We'll be hiking to the summit of Black Mountain this Sunday, Apr. 17th, to operate portable radios and antennas. We'll try making voice, digital, and CW contacts, and perhaps try making contacts using solar power as well. If conditions are good, we should be able to make contacts up to several thousand miles away.

 We plan to meet at the Tresidder parking lot at 9:30am and decide which cars to take. We'll leave Tresidder at 10am and drive to the Monte Bello Preserve parking lot on Page Mill. From there, we'll hike 2 miles to the summit.

We will eat lunch after we get to the summit, so please bring a packed lunch and one or two bottles of water with you. There is a latrine at the Black Mountain Backpack Camp, a short hike from the summit. Also, remember to dress warmly with multiple layers.

Schedule for Saturday, April 16th

2pm - 4pm - Meet at shack for final tests and preparation.

Schedule for Sunday, April 17 , 9:30am to 4pm

09:30 am - Meet at Tresidder parking lot.
10:00 am - Depart Stanford Campus.
10:30 am - Arrive at trailhead. Start hike.
11:30 am - Arrive at summit. Set up equipment.
12:00 pm - Start making contacts.
12:30 pm - Lunch.
02:00 pm - Pack equipment.
02:15 pm - Start hike back down.
03:00 pm - Return to trailhead. Drive back to campus.
03:45 pm - Arrive back at campus.

Radio Equipment to bring:

  • Charged handheld radio, e.g. Baofeng UV-5R.
  • Log book or logging app.

Clothing:

  • Non-cotton layers, including a windbreaker.
  • Raincoat (just in case).
  • Hiking boots / sturdy shoes.

Food and Water:

  • Two liters of water.
  • Lunch.
  • Trail mix and/or Granola Bars.