During the final days of our stay in Garmish-Partenkirchen, we awoke to discover that whilst we had rain down in the valley, the mountain tops had been dusted with snow, and we immediately decided to go up the closest summit, in order to enjoy it. Unbeknownst to us, this was Storm Boris, heralding it’s arrival (and fortunately for us, we left before the deluge began in earnest). Blissfully unaware that we were a few days away from one of the most catastrophic flooding events in central Europe in recent history, we decided to cable car back up Mount Wank, and investigate the new snow covered peak.
Since the last time that we were there, not only was the summit unrecognisable (there was no panorama, only a fog from the cloud we were in, and gorgeously undisturbed snow in all directions), but our SOTA set-up skills were now a smooth operation. The conditions on the summit were glorious – fresh and beautiful snow, with alluring white expanses begging to be explored… until we turned around and the snow started blowing in faces! We took the measly shelter that some nearby trees had to offer, and got the radio equipment out. The slim-jim antenna was our preferred antenna of choice, as with the help of the tactical mini, we could elevate it to the full, lofty 8m height. “CQ SOTA”, we did not have to try very long! We were answered by someone down in the valley, who, sympathetic to the conditions on the summit, made short conversation, before allowing us to retract our gear and retreat into the nearest mountain hut for hot chocolate. It was quite a surprise, to go from seeing no-one, to suddenly opening the doors onto a hut full of people, drinking beer!
After leaving the hut, we decided that a final “CQ SOTA” should be made – after all, the conditions were too exciting to be ignored – when would we next get the chance to CQ in the snow? This time, we were answered almost straight away again! Perhaps the weather meant that more people had time on their hands, to sit by the radio equipment at home? However, the wind starting to whip up a blizzard around us! Not only did we start to feel frozen-in-place, but ice was starting to form on the antenna and the tactical mini! If you look closely at the image above, you can see some ice crystallising on the tactical mini! The snow was really swirling around us, blowing into our faces and freezing any uncovered extremities. We had to end the call, and then took a cable car down into the warmer, yet less exciting, environment of the valley.
The snow and ice was a good way to battle test not only our setup, but our own equipment, and preparedness for being out in such conditions. The change in weather justified carrying the waterproofs and thermals up the summits, during the blazing sunshine of the previous week.