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Article by 2E0EDX on 30th April 2007 at 19:44

2E0EDX - Activation 29/04/07 Alternative Route

Activated this summit on Sunday, 29th April 2007.Parked at GR 60104404 on Fell Foot Lane.Grassed verge now with black & white bollards, however, parking can be found in two laybys just below bollards on right, room for several cars.Faced with an ascent of Parlick at 432m ASL, I checked map to navigate in order to avoid the steep Parlick climb. As you go through gate at Fell Foot house, go straight up on stone path towards Parlick for approx 15m up hill and at end of stone path at GR 59084405 turn left following narrow path which traverses and climbs gradually around the left hand side of Parlick to the other side, you avoid climbing this steep summit entirely. Following this path you soon come to a wooden stile and wire fence at GR 59054409. Cross over the stile at this point, continue along the existing path and follow the contour of a dilapitated stone wall, passing a stone stand-alone post after approximately 50m. Continue with Parlick on your right and you can now see Fair Snape Fell and the rock cairn to your front and slightly left in the far distance. Continue following the path which brings you round to the rear of Parlick to signpost number 10 at GR 59074503. Continue north to Fair Snape Fell on path topping Blindhurst Fell keeping the stone wall on your right, the ground again gradually rises from the signpost as you make to the summit but is easy going and is approximately 1800m to the trig point from the sign post. Soon you come to a gate with a stile to the right over a wire fence with again to your right an earth scarred feature.The trigpoint is a couple of hundred meters further on, noticable by its white painted look. The rock cairn is just to the left, ideal for operating from where the SOTA pole or WASP Special can be wedged in the rocks. Wire dipoles should be placed further away from the cairn to avoid visitors taking a break and enjoying the views. I used on this occassion the FT-8900 quadband on 2m FM, 5-10w into a 2m 3el SOTA beam (vertical polarization), supported by the Wasp Special and a 12v 12AHR gel cell battery, 40 contacts over 3 hours with a lot of rag-chewing, two summit to summit contacts and working G1KDU in Nuneaton (Warks), G1SRB in Kings Lynn (Lincs),GW4ZWY in Bromyard (Herefordshire), MI5DAW in Downpatrick (County Down N.I) not to mention the Isle of Man etc, etc........ Hope this report is of use to others, especially those with average fitness like me in avoiding the ascent/descent of Parlick twice. During the activation three gliders entertained me for the full activation at 100 feet directly above me. A lovely summit to activate, in my opinion worth 4 activator points due to distance of travel.......