• Coopers Knob

My original plan had been to activate Trig M ZL3/CB-586 in Porters Pass for the first time and claim bonus points, but a fire meant the road was closed. I could not let a beautiful day go to waste so Coopers Knob became plan B.

Coopers Knob is on the Port Hills which is the rim of a now extinct volcano on the southern edge of Christchurch. It is an easy drive from town to the Summit Road which snakes around the hills and a 10-15min walk to the knob.

  • The steps leading up from the road

You can reach Coopers Knob from the crater rim walkway which is a walking track high above the road. The shortest route is via a set of nondescript steps from the road opposite Gibraltar Rock. A short walk gets you to the knob.

It was a stunning day with little wind and very mild temperatures. However to continue my run of poor luck that day a geomagnetic storm was causing havoc in the atmosphere.

  • Lyttelton Harbour from my operating position

After an initial pileup of VKs and ZLs on 20m the bands ran dry. CW CQs on 17m, 15m and 10m (just had to try) yielded nothing and my afternoon was rounded uot with some QSOs on 2m. The undoubted highlight was working the ZL3 Association manager, Don ZL3DMC, who was using a morse key for the first time. His sending was better than mine as I was so surprised I totally butchered his callsign! After an hour and 13 QSOs I called it a day.

Thanks to Geoff ZL3GA for spotting me on the cluster and to all the chasers.

This is a very easy 1 point summit and a great place to come if you are new to activating or just wanting to test some gear.

Getting there: From Christchurch drive up Dyers Pass Road until you reach the Sign of the Kiwi. Turn right and onto the Summit Road and keep driving until you reach the Gibraltar Rock car park (signposted). From there walk back up the road 50m until you see the steps.

Permission: None needed.

Trig marker: Yes.

Cell coverage: Yes

Repeater access: Actually didn’t try.

Time to the top: 15min and an easy climb.