Some of the best moments of portable operation are during the anticipation (planning, packing, and traveling to a remote site). Getting snowed on, having the wind blow over your portable antenna, or realizing you forgot something can all rain on your parade. It's the ones that go smoothly that keep you coming back and working at increasing your odds of a pleasurable experience.
Nice to see two young ladies at it - even if things didn't work out. Too few young folks and far too few females involved.
I've heard terrible stories about that place from various northern acquaintances..I'll pass! Factor in the cold + wind chill with this: "On the afternoon of April 12, 1934, the Mount Washington Observatory recorded a wind speed of 231 miles per hour (372 km/h) at the summit, the world record from 1934 until 1996"
Check out Julians vids OH8STN, He is pretty expert at fighting cold and getting radio time. Not a big fan of 4x4s as you need to justify the additional costs of owning one. Most never leave pavement anyways. Check out ATV' or a Rokon if your serious about going out in the booonies. Both are trailer able or you can fit them in a mini pick up. Rokons are great, Had one for just such a purpose, near 1000 miles of fuel and go anywhere carrying all you need. Those are great skills to learn so don't give up, just build on past experience.
