For the Summit to summit event we chose Maungatawhiri. With a long weekend we planned to stay in Pauanui so this looked to be an easy one to accommodate a descent in darkness. We grabbed fish and chips from Whitianga and ascended the summit for dinner in the bush. The track up is 4WD only – and if wet is probably quad bike only. Dont bring your town car up here! Permission is required from the land owner to access this summit. A local ham arranged access for us which was greatly appreciated.
Unfortunately weather in Eastern Australia meant many VKs had canceled there activations. Only John VK6NU from Perth activated – we made contact on 14 MHz. From ZL John ZL1BYZ was at Klondyke and we worked on 5 MHz. And that was the end of my S2S contact list. Plenty of other chasers around including a chaser from Italy. It was good to get a new one in the log. Low bands were noisy up here but 14 MHz wasnt too bad. DX was not forthcoming however.
Thanks to the S2S organizers. Sorry the weather in Australia did not play ball. We had a great evening in ZL from our little summit.
Details
Summit – ZL1/WK-173 Maungatawhiri
Height – 303 m (height gain of 300 m)
Access – Wharekaho Rd (SH25) just north of Wharekaho Beach (4WD track marked on topo map)
Nominal time to summit – 20 minute drive from roadside – 4WD required.
Mobile and internet coverage from the summit – Good coverage (and into 7075)
Summit Marker – Radio mast.
Land Access Permission – Required – contact me for phone number.