High Rock Activation W4T/SU-010

The activation took place on February 27.   It was still week 9 and I needed to make up for not having activated Grassy Ridge Bald.   I still had a couple of sunny days left in the week before the rains come back and fortunately Dave, KE4EA, was available as a hiking companion.   The trailhead for High Rock W4T/SU-024 is accessible from Interstate 26 near the TN/NC line at Sam’s Gap.   Just a few minutes from Sam’s Gap is the Ski Resort at Big Bald W4T/SU-010.  It would be an extra bonus if we can make it into a double.   When we left my house in Travelers Rest SC, it was raining steadily.   The rain abated as we travelled up to North Carolina.   When we arrived at Sam’s Gap near the TN/NC line, there was still a hint of a drizzle which quickly gave way to partly cloudy skies as we made it up the Appalachian Trail (AT).   The AT crosses over the summit of High Rock.   The weather was ideal for hiking – temperature in the low 50s, calm winds.  The trail was especially well groomed.  We ran into a few hikers “thru hiking” the entire AT.  We met a Mr. LaPierre who was “thru hiking” the entire length of the AT (2200 miles) for the third time.  We finally made it to the summit about noon.  Dave and I set up our stations and we started making contacts.   I even got a chaser from Belgium ON4VT.   Dave is now comfortable again with CW and is making contacts with hardly any trouble at all.  After we had swept the bands and the chasers have “dried up”, we made it back down the mountain and proceeded to Big Bald.   We stopped at the gated guard shack for the moment of truth.   The guard asked us concerning our business there.   I said we wanted to visit the ski resort.   The guard said that the ski resort is closed and he turned us away.   The desired “double” was not to be this day.  But at least, I made up for not having activated Grassy Ridge Bald.