This summit is situated east of Hastings and is part of what used to be Clifton Station. Parts have been sold to American tycoon Julian Robertson who has developed the land into a resort style international golf course. http://www.capekidnappers.com/luxury-golf-course/course. We were lucky enough to be granted access to the trig site to do SOTA.
Sadly sometime between our last activation and setting of for this activation it was discovered that our SOTA radio pack had been stolen. So we had to come up with a plan B. Fortunately this is a drive to site (well almost). I approached the local radio club to borrow an HF radio and dipole. I had a pair of old handheld radios – one VHF and one UHF. Unfortunately (again) the HF radio we borrowed didnt operate so we were restricted to VHF UHF only.
With 5 contacts from locals in the log we departed this beautiful summit. Mildly frustrated with not being able to use HF but pleased we had the opportunity to activate this summit and gain its single point. This was a lovely day for a summit activation and this was a lovely summit with great views from the Glen between the pine forest and the bush. Just watch out for the wasps.
Details
Summit – ZL1/HB-153
Height –293 m
Access – From Clifton Rd – enter the golf course via the secure gate. Follow the road until you reach a T junction – turn right towards the lodge and keep going past the lodge until you end up just below the trig (Use your FGPS for help). Park up and walk 1 minute up the bank on the left to the trig.
Nominal time to summit – 30 minute drive from Hastings, 1 minute walk.
Mobile and internet coverage from the summit – 3G on Vodafone and Spark.
Repeater coverage – 670 and 725 access.
Summit Marker – Trig, although the GPS will help you find where to park.
Land Access Permission – Required – private golf course.
