Another Day, Another Hike

Back to the usual operating table (radio operating that is) along the High Bluff trail.  The ionosphere was miserable today, with stateside stations wavering in and out over the course of a minute or two.  A couple of European big-gun stations were booming in, but my QRP power level couldn't reach back.  Zero contacts!  

Still, it was a nice day in the woods.  I parked at the west trailhead and hiked 3.5 miles east, just to get some trail time in with a reasonably full daypack, to learn how it carries.  Pretty well, as it turns out.  The bugs were out in force but not biting, likely due to an outer coating of sunscreen and and an inner coating of Monster drink.  The day topped out at 82F.  Summer's on the way, but not here yet.

Here, have a couple of pics.

Sand, not snow.

DHMO, the drink of champions.  I could just bathe in that stuff.

Notes for next time:

1. Probably worth it to use a water bladder rather than bottles, now the weather's warming up.  Weights in the pack better (closer to the spine), more capacity, and you don't have to pause to drink -- a real bonus in bug season.
2. Big-brimmed hat and sunscreen, check!
3. Considering a bug shirt, but $$$ and heat.  We'll see.
4. While the iPhone, PSKer software, and interface dongle all work pretty well, that rig's not as fast on the draw as the laptop running fldigi.  That could make the difference in fast-varying conditions.  3 extra pounds though.  Hm, we'll see.