From the Top: The Path of Least Resistance to Highpoint, NJ
special to The ARS Sojourner
I enjoy the rugged outback as much as the next guy but hey, if it comes easy, I'm not too proud to follow the path of least resistance.
Then again, who says adventure radio must be painful? I learned my lesson years ago on a hike up Mt. Washington in New Hampshire.
I spent two days bushwhacking through vegetation and scrambling up rocks only to find a parking lot and about 100 cars at the top. It was then I vowed "if it has a road, take it."
So even if driving to the top disqualifies me from the ARS High Point Challenge, I figured a little reconnaissance would help the poor sap who actually wants to tackle it on foot when there's a paved highway to the very top.
Located in northwest New Jersey and only 40 miles from my home, High Point
begged me to drive to the summit.
As an added bonus, it's an unconquered summit that's less than 80 miles from New York City and it's an easy day hike (hint, hint).
Her elevation is 21,636 - inches, that is. The road is paved straight to the top. I enlisted the help of my adventure associate, Peanut (son Greg, age 12), packed up my gear and hit the road.
Besides, it was a dreary day and Mrs. KC4TXR was happy to get rid of us for
the afternoon.
New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the union. Out here you'd never suspect it.
Actually it's quite beautiful. The Delaware River and river gap are stunningly attractive. Down in the valley near Port Jervis is the picturesque confluence of the Delaware and Neversink rivers.
The trout fishing is also incredible. Since the Appalachian Trail has a habit of hitting the high points of the states it crosses, New Jersey is no exception. It's unfortunate that to many people, New Jersey has the reputation of being the armpit of America. But there's only 50 states and one of them has to be the armpit.
In any event, my pickup truck galloped up the hill with ease and in a few short minutes, I was embroiled in boilerplate QSOs on 20 meters. My last QSO with KE4QZB made it all worthwhile. Brian Lambe, 'QZB, of Charlotte, NC turns out to a ham extraordinaire.
A QRP enthusiast and very articulate and engaging, Brian's been a ham for six years. But he has a fist and code proficiency one can only dream about. Moreover, he's only 20 years old.
His QSL card really paints the picture of how I view the quintessential ham. There's a drawing on it of a person obscured by a rat's nest of wires and equipment, some precariously perched. That's my kind of station! Who says amateur radio is going downhill? If it is, why am I always going uphill?
High Point, NJ is really quite a beautiful place and it's just begging for some adventurous soul to conquer it in the name of the Adventure Radio Society. Since there's a road to the top, I refuse to break my vow.
I was expecting High Point, NJ to be the high point of the adventure but instead it was KE4QZB. But that's the great thing about amateur radio, especially for a guy who loves the techno-weenie aspect. It always ends up being the human side that's the best.
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John C. Ceccherelli, N2XE, is an avid QRPer and outdoorsman living in Wappingers Falls, NY.
