Toughest SPOTA Summit Yet

Orosco Ridge W6/SC-440, nestled in the heart of Cleveland National Forest, called to me for a real adventure, and I was eager to answer. However, a gate closure at the parking lot meant I had to get creative. Instead of wallking all the way to the trailhead, I grabbed my mountain bike for a challenging ride to the summit's base. The single-speed bike ride was tough, especially with the relentless uphill climb, but the sense of adventure kept me pushing forward.
After a grueling 3.8 miles of uphill biking, I reached the summit trailhead, only to face another challenge-this time, 1.3 miles on foot. I stashed the bike, swapped into hiking gear, and prepared for the bushwhack to the top. The terrain was unforgiving, the ascent steep, and the physical demand was unlike anything I’d encountered this year. Every step tested my endurance and grit.
But that's what makes these summits so rewarding, right? The journey itself becomes part of the story. After a hard-earned push, I reached the summit, where the views were nothing short of spectacular and operating CW portable operations.
I hope you all enjoy this SPOTA adventure as much as I did. It’s one that pushed me to my limits and left me with a deep sense of accomplishment.
DUGBO
KD7DUG
Summit Details
Orosco Ridge
W6/SC-445
Elevation: 1890ft
Ascent: 933ft
Distance: 5.1 miles Oneway
Coordinates: 33.1033, -116.8845
sotl.as/summit...
POTA Details
Cleveland National Forest US-4454
Coordinates:
32.8346, -116.723 (DM12pu)
pota.app/#/par...
Operating Frequencies: 15, 17, 20 and 40 Meters
Modes: CW
Gear
USMC Assault Pack
QRP-LAB QMX QRP Radio 20-10M
EFHW 10 -40M w/ 17 and 30M links
RG-316 25'
Bamatech TP-III
iFTx IOS APP
Anker Soundcore Portable Speaker
7M carbon Fiber Mast
There is no way I would have the confidence and or the skill be a CW operator on the air without the fantastic instructors from both CWOPS and LICW. Do not hesitate one minute to join this fabulous clubs to learn morse code.
cwops.org
longislandcwcl...
iFTx Details
apps.apple.com....
www.hb9zhk.ch/...
YT channels I like:
/ @w4arb
/ @vk3ye
/ @aussiesotaops
/ @canoethenorth
/ @chrisn8pem
/ @thehamninja
/ @coaxandcampstools
/ @w4emb
/ @elradiohead
/ @hamradioduo
/ @evank2ejt
/ @utahforrest
/ @k6ark
/ @k9eihamradio
/ @kg6nlw
/ @hikinnhammin
/ @kyfriedham
/ @kq3q
/ @aa0z
/ @kurtzoglmann
/ @lb4fh
/ @longislandcwclub
/ @n4aaj
/ @n4hnhradio
/ @n4jaw
/ @n7kom
/ @qrpcw
/ @qrpmonkey
/ @radiorunner
/ @redsummitrf
/ @scout75portableradio
/ @sota-plus
/ @swizzradios
/ @thetechprepper
/ @thomask4swl
/ @twooldmeninthewoods
/ @ve6lk
/ @vk2ter
/ @w6iwn_radio
#cw #pota #parksontheair #summitsontheair #sota #QRP #hamradio #amateurradio #qrpportable #morsecode #bamatech #americanmorse #mcHF #N0SASPX #QRPLabs #MTBR #bioenno #DJI #LICW #dipole #efhw #Chelegance #mc750 #endfedhalfwave #hamradioantenna #adventure #landcruiser #fj60 #toyota #ft8 #qmx #qrplabs #iftx #mountainbiking #mountains #hikingadventures #hiking #singlespeed #29er

[@W4EMB]

always awesome Doug!

[@ExactlyLikeVermont]

Great hike Doug. Some day I hope to keep up with your copy speeds! Your videos are continually great encouragement. Love your editing style...