ANOTHER VHF MOUNTAIN TOP SEASON HAS BEGUN !

The snow is finally melting...... well maybe in the valley floor it is.......we had fresh snow in the mountains around here in DN09 yesterday at the 5500 ft level! Is it never going to quit snowing?The snow pack in this area of British Columbia seems to be at record levels.With this in mind our VHF mountaintop plans this year at VE7BEE have had to change. We were considering checking out the top of apex mountain this June for the VHF CONTEST for the day but at 7300 ft and with all the fresh snow at the higher altitudes it just is not going to happen. It is only a few weeks till the contest,so it looks like we will be going back to the Promotory hill site in CO90 or worse case a more localized lower site in CN99 at the old nickel plate mine near Headly BC. The nickle plate area site I have used before on numerous occasions for vhf and hf operating. It has very easy road access with many good spots to pull over and set up portable equipment. There is also a couple of lakes in the area that offer good fishing as an added bonus. VE7MJT (Mike Tucker) has operated from the government campsite at nickle plate lake a number of times as well. The road between apex mountain in Dn09 and the old mine site is open all year round and can be reached from Penticton or from the Headly ,BC side.The access from Headly is via a STEEP GRADE dirt and gravel road but it is the shortest route to get up past the 5000 ft level where the old mine site is. Best to check with the locals in Headly as to the condition of the road before setting out in the winter.The picture is of the promotory lookout which is no more .....and the road up from the Headly side at about 4000 ft level.