Tag / snowshoes

Photo with Lake Tahoe in the background and a snowy slope in the foreground
by KE6MT

Activation in the Snow: South Maggies Peaks, W6/NS-135

Getting some summits done while camping in the snow near Lake Tahoe

Links to products on Amazon and eBay are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Quick Info:

Activation Date: 29 March 2025Summit: W6/NS-135
Transport: Hiking, Snow, Steep at timesDistance: 1.8 miles (one-way)
Elev. Gain: 1940 feetTime: 4.5 hours
Rig(s): Elecraft KH1, VX-6RBands: 40m, 20m CW
Antenna(s): Random WireAntenna Support: Mast in snow
RF Noise: NoneCell Service: Marginal (T-Mobile)

I like to go camp in the snow once or twice a year, sometimes more. I had mountaineering training to attend near Lake Tahoe on the weekend of this trip, so I planned snow camping in advance of it. Though the weather wasn’t top-notch the night before this activation, leading to pretty bad sleep for half of the night, the weather calmed down and we eventually got some sleep. If the weather is good, Maggies Peak is a top-notch winter activation.

continue reading →
by KE6MT

Waterhouse Peak, W6/NS-092

I’ve been wanting to do this one for a long time! I’d been camping/backpacking in the snow nearby, three times in the past three years. Each time, I’d loosely intended to climb and activate this summit, approaching from the southwest. It never quite worked out. So I decided to make a trip up to the South Lake Tahoe area just to get Waterhouse Peak. It would elude me no more!

Links to products on Amazon and eBay are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Quick info:

Activation Date: 6 April 2019
Transport: Hike/snowshoeDistance: 4 miles
Elev. Gain: 1,750 feetTime: 3 hours
Rig(s): MTR-3BBands: 40m, 20m (cw)
Antenna(s): EFHWAntenna Support: Good trees
RF Noise: LowCell Service: Marginal (T-Mobile)

I’ve been wanting to do this one for a long time!  I’d been camping/backpacking in the snow nearby, three times in the past three years. Each time, I’d loosely intended to climb and activate this summit, approaching from the southwest. It never quite worked out.  So I decided to make a trip up to the South Lake Tahoe area just to get Waterhouse Peak.

Continue reading →