Our second activation on the Monday of Queens Birthday weekend 2018 was Mount Stuart. This is a drive up summit. For this summit the cloud had dissipated and left clear views to the ranges. The air was still very fresh though and there was heavy frost in the shady. The kids enjoyed finding puddle ice and smashing it.
Kyle took a wrong turn and found himself inadvertently at another summit. He did get out and work me from his handheld – however neither of us realised he wa son a SOTA summit until later that evening. SOTA by accident. This counted as his chase for this summit and for me it was a summit to summit. While I was waiting for Kyle to arrive I worked 18 contacts (including Kyle) around ZL and VK, including a summit to summit with VK3XDM and VK3EQ on VK3/VE-091.
When Kyle arrived he set to and made a good collection of contacts ensuring he also claimed his activator point from this summit. I packed up and drove to a nearby radio site and chased Kyle on VHF, completing the summit.
This summit is another easy one for locals and travelers alike. A beautiful summit on a clear day.
Details
Summit – ZL3/OT-502 Mount Stuart
Height –433 m ASL
Access – Mount Stewart Road – park near the windmills
Nominal time to summit – About 1 hour from Dunedin
Mobile and internet coverage from the summit – Vodafone is OK at the summit.
Summit Marker – Windmills, Trig.
Land Access Permission – Not required – Roadside.