Stevens Peak in Mount Rainier National Park, is a committed alpine climb. It's recommended you prepare carefully reading guidebooks and climbing websites, and making sure you have the necessary skills, experience and equipment. You will need to be able to handle wilderness route finding, high angle snow ascent and descent, mixed rock and snow, rock climbing, and challenging terrain.
Unicorn Peak, WA | July 2014
There are two Unicorn Peaks in Washington - this Unicorn Peak is in the Tatoosh Range in Mount Rainier National Park. Unicorn Peak is a committed alpine climb - it can't really be considered a hike.
Last Announcement: W7 S2S Activity Weekend
1) W7 S2S Activity Weekend and the Rocky Mountain SOTA Rendezvous: This year on 2-3rd of August. Last year we had the first W7 S2S Activity Weekend which was very popular. According to W4ZV/Bill, over 500 Activator points were available during that weekend last year!
Middle Butte, WA | June 2014
Here's another four-point summit north of Carson, Washington. You might be able to get within a mile or so in a carefully driven passenger car - perhaps only a little farther in a high-clearance vehicle.
Peak 4180 "Capacitor Pk", WA | June 2014
There are a nice bunch of summits north of Carson, Washington - this one is a near drive up - as long as you have a high clearance vehicle.
Stuart Peak Backpack / SOTA
This was a great trip for the wife and I and we had a great time. We left early on Monday morning and hiked in to a camp about 8 miles in. On Tuesday we got up and hiked the 5 miles to the summit and spent most of the morning afternoon up there on the summit. For rough directions to the summit go down to the local REI and buy a "Rattlesnake Recreation Area" map. There are many ways to get to this summit but none are short. Though it can technically be done in a day from the main rattlesnake trailhead (the way we came out), I would not suggest it. Take your time and enjoy the views.
SOTA Activation: Red Top Mountain, Kittitas County, Washington - July 1, 2014
Easy 2 Mile RT (or less) leads to this fantastic overlook of the Teanaway River Valley, Mount Stuart Range, Mount Rainier, Mount Adams and hundreds of other Cascade peaks.
All SOTA contacts were on 20M SSB, using my 20M inverted V dipole suspended fron a 22 ft. Carbon Fiber fishing pole. I made 12 contacts in 8 states over approximately 30 minutes.
Wampus Butte | March 2014
Wampus Butte is another easily accessible summit near La Pine. Below is a map of the route we wished we had taken as it would have been much more direct (from Hwy 97, west on Burgess Rd to NF-44/E. Deschutes Rd and follow it to NF-600. It is about 1.5 miles on this road to the left turn up to the summit). This was a nice snowshoe in March but would probably be mostly almost a drive-up in summer. It was cloudy when we were up there but I think there would be a nice view on a clear day.
Pringle Butte, OR | March 2014
Pringle would probably be a drive-up or near drive-up in the summer but I am not sure whether the roads would be suitable for a passenger car or not as they were covered with snow, thus making it a snowshoe for us. According to the map there are at least 3 access points.
Mount Hood S2S Party - 23 August
Summer is here and the snow will be gone up high, and we can again do alpine activations. Following up on the idea of Rachel-K7NIT for a way to enjoy SOTA as a group – we will activate around Mount Hood and then meet up afterwards for an 'eyeball' QSO.