Mount Raymond (W7U/SL-007) and Gobblers Knob (W7U/NU-033) SOTA Activation(s)
A late spring activation on the occasion of a day off from work. Quite the dilemma to decide where to go activate a summit in Utah with so many nearby just asking to be climbed. I told myself, “find something easy.” This hike turned out to be anything but easy.
Without a knowledge of when the snow really breaks here above 9,000 feet, I threw caution to the wind and settled on Mount Raymond. The trailhead (TH) is only an hour’s drive from my house so it seemed reasonable. Gobblers Knob would be a bonus to my day’s activation if I could muster the fortitude.
Getting There
I left my house at 04:45. to head south on I-15 from Ogden, Utah, jumped on I-215 east and followed the signs for Hwy 190 (toward the ski areas). I reached the Butler Fork TH by 05:50, finished my coffee and got my gear together. It was about 39 degrees. Headlamp on. Time to go.
The Hike
My heart sank a little when I saw snow on the trail within twenty feet of my journey. That sparked my first glimmer of self-doubt. Keep moving. The trail was easy to follow and well marked. Stay left after the second creek crossing towards Mill A Basin. I had to put on my microspikes here to keep a sure footing. The months of hikers through winter created an ice packed trail with mud on either sides. The path continues up a draw increasing in grade and 
Mount Raymond at sunrise
leading to a few switchbacks as the trail tracks up to a ridge. As I progressed up this section I could hear voices of hikers behind me. The group of three passed me as we reached this ridge, with skis on their backs. They were heading to Mount Raymond as well for a pre-work ski.
And from the ridge… what a view. Mount Raymond stood prominently, basking in the sunrise. I was sure then I would make the summit. It looked so close. This next part of the trail seemed very easy as it tracks west along the southern slope of Gobblers Knob. It eventually connects to the Mill B North trail, just below the saddle. I caught up to the three hikers here and we chatted for a few minutes. They were waiting for the snow to soften some before making the final push. I continued on and reached the saddle between to two summits.
The ridge up Mount Raymond is pretty straightforward. Go up. 
Final ascent up Mount Raymond
However, with a snow ridden ridgeline like on this day made for a slow ascent. This ridge becomes very narrow and quite dangerous in places with drop-offs on both sides, more so on the east side. I made sure to stay well off the edges of the large cornices. Around the valley I could see some smaller slides, evidence an avalanche hazard was still present.
The three hikers with their skis passed me with 100 feet until the summit. It was nice to have someone else break trail for a while. Once on top the view is amazing. I could see right into downtown SLC and the Great Salt Lake. I began to set up my SOTAbeams linked dipole antenna as the three skiers discussed the best route to ski down the shoots. One was ahead of the others in this process and began to take off his clothes… to ski naked. Apparently it is not just something people put on their car as a bumper sticker. Who knew?
Enjoying the vistas on Mount Raymond
With my antenna up I paused to watch the other two (clothed skiers) get ready to make their run. One dropped in and quickly dislodged a thin layer of snow atop a face of rock. He proceeded to slide and roll over the rocks, losing a ski in the process. A hundred yards down he slid to a stop, apparently not significantly injured. The last skier made his attempt but had similar results but somehow missed the rocks. I think I’ll stick with ham radio as a hobby. With the distraction over it was time to get on the air.
Gobblers Knob from Mount Raymond
I was about an hour ahead of my scheduled summiting time but I knew I needed to get rolling if I would have a chance to reach Gobblers Knob in the same day. I turned on the Mountain Topper radio and checked to make sure the frequency was clear. Game on. Tom, W7RV, in Arizona was the first in the log on 40 meters, followed my Paul, W0RW, in Colorado. My fingers struggled to get use to the CW keyer. I had put on a sweat jacket and raincoat to help counteract the cool wind on summit. The pile slowed after 13 contacts so I made the switch to 30 meters and got another eight chasers in the log. By 10:30 it was time to get moving.
The way down was more difficult because the snow had warmed up significantly. By 11:30 I was back a the saddle and heavily contemplating the ascent I was now facing. At this point it was dead silent except for a few birds and the distant calling of a squirrel. Nothing to distract me from what lay ahead. There was no trail, only a snow covered hill leading up Gobblers Knob. I knew the snow would be soft. I pressed uphill and sure enough the snow was really slushy. Every step was a battle as I approached 10,000 feet for a second time today. The occasional post-holing up to my knee, became up to my thigh, and eventually up to my hip. That will test anyone’s motivation. 
Gobblers Knob
I was exhausted only half way up. Keep going. Finally the false summit was within reach. More post-holing up to my hip in the snow as I made the final push along the summit ridge north towards Gobblers Knob.
After quickly devouring a MRE for lunch I got on the air by 13:00. I picked up 22 contacts between 20 and 40 meters and decided it was time to make the trek back down. I knew I did not want to take the same path back so I followed the SE ridge back down to the Mill A trail. When I got back to my car at 16:30 I was beat. My feet were soaked which had caused a blister on my right heel. I think I will wait until more snow melts before trying another, single, summit like these.
Gear
Microspikes
Trekking Poles
Should have had: Snowshoes
Sunglasses / Sunblock
Radio Gear:
HF: Mountain Topper, 3-bander
Antenna: SOTAbeams, Linked dipole (40, 30, 20 meters)
HT: Kenwood DH-72 (for APRS mainly)
Other:
Decent Area Cell Coverage
73 and safe hiking!
AL ~ KH7AL
My route. Red - Up, Green - APRS Track, Blue - Down