Mount Pinos ARDF Training Camp
Saturday-Sunday August 23-24, 2008
Note the change from previously-announced dates
This two-day practice event is especially for members of ARDF Team USA who are in training for the ARDF World Championships in Korea this September. It is open to other radio-orienteers, but please understand that these are advanced courses. You must be capable of walking or running at high elevation for at least 5 kilometers. A ham radio license is not required.
Host and course-setter is Marvin Johnston KE6HTS (photo at right). His plan is to provide a full 2-meter course Saturday morning at 10 AM, a sprint course Saturday afternoon at 3 PM (where the goal is to catch each transmitter on the next cycle) and a Santa Barbara style tri-tip BBQ supper Saturday evening at 6 PM. Sunday morning at 9:30 AM will be a full 80-meter course, followed by transmitter pickup and departure. There will be a nominal charge of $5/day to cover the LAOC maps and e-punch.
If you plan to attend, please send e-mail to Marvin to help him make plans. (marvin@west.net)
Mount Pinos terrain is mostly runable forest. The air is clear and there is no poison oak. Be sure to bring your own water. Maps will be provided. There will be a 3-hour time limit for both the 2m and 80m courses.
Please be on time for this event. The ARDF group will meet at the McGill Campground day-use parking lot at 9 AM Saturday and then go to the start location. The starts for all courses will only be open long enough to get everyone going (about 35 minutes). We will try to monitor 146.52 MHz simplex for incoming ham operators, but may not be able to hear you if you're not close by.
Directions: Take Frazier Park exit and go west on Frazier Mountain Park Road. Continue 8 miles, passing Frazier Park and Lockwood Valley Road (which is your last chance for supplies and water). Four miles beyond the Lockwood Valley turnoff, stay left at the fork onto Mt Pinos Road. (If you reach Pine Mountain Club, you went the wrong way, so turn around.) Go another five climbing, winding, miles to McGill Camp on your right. As you enter the campground, the day parking lot is on your right just before the road goes out to the campsites.
Lodging: Overnight camping is available for $12 per campsite on a first-come-first-served basis at McGill Campground. The campground is dry, so bring your own water. Campfires are not allowed due to the high danger of wildfire. If you don't want to camp, you can stay at the BestRest Motel at the Frazier Park exit of I-5 or the Econolodge at the Gorman exit.
Back to Photos and Results of Recent soCal Radio-Orienteering Sessions
Back to the Homing In home page
This page updated 23 July 2008