[SEDXC] Clipperton insights from Neil, VA7DX....

[MAllphin at aol.com]

To members of the SEDXC...
    I have recently had some email communications with Neil,  VA7DX who has 
just returned from TX5C- Clipperton Island.  Neil almost went  to Peter I with 
me and we finally did a trip together to VU7RG.  He is  very nice fella and 
has many talents.  I thought his insights on the recent  Clipperton Dxpedition 
might be of interest!
73, Bob-K4UEE
 
 
        
 
Hi  Bob! 
Yup…..  just arrived home here in Vancouver late last night. I took some time 
to drive  way back up the coast of California and Oregon. It was a great way 
to relax  after a very hectic trip! 
We  decided to give priority to the Northern side to favour the placement of 
the  SVDA’s we built. Paul and I felt locating there would give us a clear 
shot over  water and would allow the SSB and CW sites maximum separation without 
looking up  each others shorts when pointed North. The French wanted to 
revisit the original  site at Bouganvilla, the large outcropping of trees with the 
remains of some of  the old buildings….partly for nostalgic reasons and partly 
in the belief the  area would provide more shade and comfort. 
When  we reached the Atoll and worked our way around it looking for a safe 
landing  site, it became very apparent that the North side was going to be the 
safest.  The swells on the West side were enormous and the surf zone 
treacherous.   As it turned out, the landing on the North side was still challenging but 
was  very doable and became the favourite of the Shogun crew for this and 
future  visits to the Atoll. Having said that we still lost 2 props and flipped 
the  skiff once during the landing and off-loading. At the end of the trip we 
had to  abandon some of our gear as it was impossible and unsafe to remove  it…
fortunately nothing of great value and all replaceable. 
Today  or tomorrow I’m going to post a collection of the team members’ 
photos to the  same website I setup for VU7, in a section dedicated to Clipperton. 
There are  lots of photos of the Bouganville site and the area that you 
operated  from…..I’ll send you the link when it’s ready as I’m sure there are lots 
of  shots that will bring back some wonderful memories for  you!! 
By  the way Bob, I really came to appreciate your attention to detail with 
respcts  to the logistics and technical aspects of the VU7 trip. We were in a 
similar  situation having to bring everything we need with as Radio Shack hasn’t 
setup an  outlet on Clipperton yet. Although not entirely deficient, the 
attention to  detail and planning on this trip would have benefited from your 
influence and  style……  
I  knew this was going to be a physically and mentally challenging trip, but 
I had  no idea how physically challenging it would be!! The 3Y0 guys felt it 
met or  exceeded Peter 1 on the “This really kicked my ass” scale of challenge 
from the  perspective of the physical and environmental conditions we faced, 
getting onto,  working on and getting off the Atoll. Since I sadly wasn’t able 
to experience  the challenges faced on Peter 1 so I can’t offer my thoughtsin 
comparison to  that adventure but I can say that Clipperton was one hell of a 
ride!!   
I  lost close to 15 pounds while there….of course as you would be quick to 
point  out, I could have stood to lose another 15! All of this in spite of the 
fact  that the food was excellent during the entire trip and there was plenty 
of it.  The weight loss underscores the physical effort of working in the sand, 
the heat  and being an old fat fart I guess!!! J 
Having  said the above, I loved every second of it and was really pissed when 
we had to  depart!! I’d go back in an instant!! What an incredible experience 
being able to  visit a place that so few people have ever been to before. I 
can only imagine  how you felt on this and other trips you’ve undertaken such 
as Peter 1.   
This  hobby really is a gift in that respect. For those that choose, the 
opportunity  to explore the world and your own limits is at your fingertips…….how 
often in  life do we get this kind of an opportunity? 
On  the other hand, it’s nice to be able to order a margarita and much on a 
plate of  fries anytime I want now that I’m back!! J 
Great  to hear from you Bob and hope all is well!! I’ll send you the photo 
link as soon  as the site is loaded today or tomorrow, 
73’s 
Neil 
 
 
From:  MAllphin at aol.com [mailto:MAllphin at aol.com] 
Sent: April 1, 2008 8:42  AM
To: neil.king at telus.net
Subject: Re: Clipperton  Photos

 
Hi  Neal,
 
and...welcome back.  I have to admire the fantastic job you fellas did  under 
some very difficult circumstances.   Congratulations!
 
I have looked at the pictures and they bring back some memories.  Although  
we operated from the other side of the island near that largest patch of  
trees.  I am curious why you didn't choose that same site.  It  probably had 
something to do with the surf and zodiac landing  site!
 
73, Bob
 
K4UEE



  
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