SOTA Activation Billapaloola State Forest

After activating Mt Tumorrama VK2/SW-027, I had planned to activate Tumorramah Hill, VK2/SW-029. Drove down to Cockatoo Road and continued along to Cotterills Rd, then turned right onto a side road heading for the mountain. This led me to a private property...Not knowing a way around it to the peak I abandoned this and drove to the last peak I had planned for the day,  Billapaloola State Forest, VK2/SW-034.

Drove back down Cockatoo Road and back to the Brindabella Road, continued on towards Tumut. Just before the junction of the other end of Cotterill Road drove down an unmarked dirt road on the left, this was Webbs Road.

Turned off Webbs Rd onto Stringybark Rd.

Drove along Stringybark Rd, watching the GPS, until I got to within 150 m of the summit. Parked the car nearby just off the road. Good views to the East of both Mt Tumorrama and Yankee Ned Hill, which I had just activated.

Unfortunately, the summit itself behind me was not so clear, lots of scrub both native and pines...

Beat my way up the hill then blundered about for a while close to the summit, trying to find an area suitable for a squid pole and 40 m dipole. I eventually found a small clearing surrounded by pines, and used a single small pine tree for squid pole support.

Looking the other direction, not a lot of room...

Operated at the base of the squid pole. Pleasantly surprised to find the nearby trees not blocking signals on 40 m much, quite strong. Started with an S2S with Kevin, VK3KAB on VK3/VC-011, then some of the usual chasers from VK1,VK2 and VK3. Another S2S with Marc VK3ASC on VK3/VE-135. Total of 16 contacts.

Packed up and headed home via the Brindabella Road, stopping at Bondo Picnic area on the way for a cuppa.

Track log of walk.