Ascent:
Our adventure began at 8 a.m. from the Hannegan Trailhead. The trail offered a mostly shaded ascent to Boundary Camp, which was a welcome relief in the early hours. However, it's worth noting that this section is south-facing and can become quite hot by midday. The initial elevation gain was relatively gradual, with about 500 feet per mile over the first four miles.
As we crossed into North Cascades territory and approached Ruth Arm, the trail dipped slightly before challenging us with a steep ascent through a gully, gaining over 700 feet in less than a quarter mile. The trail then continued to rise, with an additional 1,300 feet of elevation gain over the next mile, leading us to the summit of Ruth Mountain.
Glacier Travel:
Despite the soft snow, glacier travel was straightforward. We were equipped with ice axes, harnesses, ropes, and crampons, ensuring our safety as we navigated the icy terrain. We reached the summit by 12:30 p.m. local time.
Radio Equipment and Contacts:
For this activation, I carried the Elecraft KH1 with its stock whip and counterpoise, along with my HT and portable yagi antenna, for 2 m.
Upon summiting, I immediately set up the KH1 and started making contacts. My first successful contact was with WA6M in Santa Rosa, CA, followed shortly by AE7I and K6EL. However, the activity slowed down within 20 minutes of my first contact, prompting me to switch to the HT with the Arrow Yagi. With this setup, I made two local contacts on 146.52, connecting with VA7NX in BC and KI7KUS in Maple Falls.
Descent:
The descent was swift over the snow-covered glacier. We returned to the car about nine hours after starting our hike, with 6.25 hours of moving time. The total distance covered was 13.5 miles, with an elevation gain of 4,400 feet.
Observations and Future Plans:
I was the second person to activate Ruth Mountain for SOTA; the first activation credit went to KJ7RTO in 2021. Propagation from the summit was fair using the KH1 with the stock whip antenna, but overall, I was somewhat disappointed with its performance. For my next trip report, covering 30.06 Peak and Winchester Mountain, I plan to build a better, equally portable antenna to improve my experience and performance.
