The last peak on my punch list for Arizona this year was Pole Knoll, W7A/AP-003. It is the fourth and final peak during my Labor Day stay. I was saving the best for last on this trip. It was a gorgeous day. I did this hike last year about this time and it was really beautiful. Green, lush, and devoid of other people. I was waiting for a day when Jeanette and her friend could join but they were planning to attend a mushroom class near the summit in Grear, AZ. This may be the last chance to hike Pole Knoll this year unless we come up here on Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, instead of attending the class, they were both sick from what they think was a mushroom they consumed yesterday. They are getting better, Jeanette got the worst of it.
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I followed last year’s route up with a small change toward the top and summited on the east side where they was a trail. For the descent, I followed Elk Trail (HERE) and WOW, WOW, WOW, was it gorgeous. Elk trail, a single track diversion that went around another lower hill, was awesome. It went through a wooded area that bordered on a area next to a semi-meadow. This was possibly the most beautiful hike I’ve done this year, next to Turner Peak a few months ago.

The view from my operating position was priceless. I setup right where I was last year in the shade of a tree. I had internet access on my phone which made spotting easy, and once spotted, I was working a big pileup. Because I had internet access I could do a little chasing as well. I was only able to secure one CW contact for summit-to-summit. The operators were a little fast for me so it was hard to know when I could jump in and try for a summit-to-summit. I did manage to get a couple of sideband summit-to-summits.

It was a relaxing time on the summit and Sulu took the opportunity to tak a nap while I worked our summit station. I did try 40 m but I think it sort of sucked.

I packed up and Sulu and I headed down. I could tell she was really enjoying the hike. As I mentioned, we took Elk Trial on the way down. It really was pleasant. Just as Elk Trail joined the main road we came across a small herd of elk. I fired up my iphone video and slowly walked down the road. Amazingly, they didn’t really see me until we were about 25 yards away. When they spooked and ran off, what I thought were about 10 turned out to be about 20. It was a splendid way to end the hike. Look for the video to be posted here soon.

Sitting back at the SOC (SOTA Operations Center) on the front porch writing this while I sit on the front porch, enjoying the breeze, 70 F temps and the sound of the aspen leaves as they dance in the wind. No rain.. Yet, but we still might get some.

Contacts

Date:02/Sep/2019 Summit:W7A/AP-003 (Pole Knoll) Call Used:N1CLC Points: 10 Bonus: 0 Delete

Time	Call	Band	Mode	Notes
17:08z	W2RUN	14MHz	SSB
17:18z	KD1CT	14MHz	SSB
17:24z	W0MNA	14MHz	SSB
17:24z	KI7OIY	14MHz	SSB
17:25z	WD4CFN	14MHz	SSB
17:26z	N6PGQ	14MHz	SSB
17:26z	W0ERI	14MHz	SSB
17:27z	ND0C	14MHz	SSB
17:28z	NW7E	14MHz	SSB
17:28z	KD0MQO	14MHz	SSB
17:28z	N4EX	14MHz	SSB
17:29z	K0LAF	14MHz	SSB
17:30z	N7YL	14MHz	SSB
17:30z	AC1Z	14MHz	SSB
17:32z	K7MT	10MHz	CW
17:39z	NS7P	7MHz	SSB
18:01z	WA6KYR	7MHz	SSB
18:04z	WB7ULD	7MHz	SSB
18:04z	AG6UK	7MHz	SSB
18:05z	K7GT	7MHz	SSB
18:06z	K6RIN	7MHz	SSB

Loadout for the multiple summits:

● Gregory Zulu 40 backpack

● First aid kit. Make sure it’s a good one... like ability to patch up an impalement wound. ● CHA MPAS with spike and additional MIL mast (and version 2 of the top section)

● Yaesu FT-891D HF Radio at 100 watts

● 30’ of coax feed line

● Yaesu FT-2DR HT

● Slim Jim dual band antenna for my HT.

● 3 L of water (8 lb)

● iPhone with All Trails, MotionX GPS and sota goat

● LDG Z-100 plus auto antenna tuner for the FT 891

● Trekking poles

● Jetboil MicroMo cooking system (at the car)

● Packtenna.

● Extra LiFePO Battery

● AnyTone AT-868UV DMR radio for testing.