15 Oct 2017, SOTA activation from YO/EC-511 and YO/EC-623

​Essential summit info for activators - YO/EC-511 ”Neamț”

Target summit: 2 pointer YO/EC-511 "Neamt" - www.sota.org.uk/Summit/YO/EC-511
Our Route: We followed the road to the Neamt Fortress and left the car in the parking lots at the base of the hill. Continued on foot on a steep road, passed the fortress and took a forest trail. After a few hundred meters we made a left turn and continued on the ridge trail until we reached the summit.
GPS Track: www.wandermap.net/en/route/3541722-neamt-yoec-511-scurt
(download the track by clicking on "Export GPS data").
GSM coverage: Good.
Summit conditions: Forested, broadleaved.
Other info: We've found what seemed like bear droppings and a small ball of fur and bones regurgitated by an owl.

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​Essential summit info for activators - YO/EC-623 ”Boiștea”

Target summit: 2 pointer YO/EC-623 "Boistea" - www.sota.org.uk/Summit/YO/EC-623
Our Route: Our planned track had two possible routes; we used the west one for climbing and the east one for descending. There are dirt roads all the way to the top, multiple GSM operators are active in the area (about 4 towers). The eastern path is a bit trickier in driving terms, but poses no problem for trekking.
GPS Track: www.wandermap.net/en/route/3541724-boistea-yoec-623/
(download the track by clicking on "Export GPS data").
GSM coverage: Excellent.
Summit conditions: Mixed: open field and forested (broadleaved trees, pines).
Other info: In the summer it probably is used for grazing. Beautiful vista.

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Activity report

As my recently broken leg is pretty stiff and painful still, we chose the easy Neamt summit as our target. The climb was pretty short and didn't pose any serious problems. Marian was accompanying us on this trip. We activated the summit in 14 MHz only, having tried the 145 and 433 bands with no success. After an hour or so, we left and visited the fortress. Then we decided to activate the other nearby summit, Boistea. The day was beautiful and we still had plenty of time. This second "summit" was even easier to climb. It is crowded by GSM antennas, but didn't get much interference. This time we managed a couple of contacts in 145 MHz as well.

(pics will be posted soon)