Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Carnedd Llywelyn

24.12.13  Y Pincin (SH 723 581)

Y Pincin (SH 723 581)

As this hill was only recently elevated to the ranks of the Welsh 200m P30 list I thought it required its new status confirmed, so after visiting Dinas Mawr I drove westward and parked outside Joe Brown's in Capel Curig.  The hill is situated just north of Capel Curig and if being taking in on its own is no more than a ten – fifteen minute walk from the near-by road.  However, it can easily be combined with an extended walk over its near, higher neighbours to the north. 

The Trimble GeoXH gathering data on the area of the bwlch.

The Trimble beside the cobbled stone path that crosses the bwlch of Y Pincin.

The hill is well protected and gives an excellent summer’s scramble.  Today with the gale increasing in velocity and hail showers skimming across the landscape it only gave up its summit after an intricately weaved route to its highest point.  Thankfully an easier route down was found.

The high point consists of rock and has good views across to the peaks of Yr Wyddfa and Moel Siabod.  By the time I'd gathered data at the bwlch and stood on the summit the wind was whistling past and if not for a convenient edged notch, in which the Trimble sat comfortable with its internal antenna aligned to the highest point, the equipment may have ended up airborne.

The high point of Y Pincin.

The Trimble securely in place on the summit of Y Pincin.

After five minutes of data was gathered I quickly packed the Trimble away and headed back to the car, as I wanted to look at two hills close to Llyn y Dywarchen (SH 561 533) and Bwlchgylfin (SH 555 533) and investigate the long awaited mystery of the position of the critical bwlch for Mynydd Mawr (SH 539 546).

The view from the summit of Y Pincin, taking in the higher peaks of Eryri.

Survey Result:


Y Pincin

Summit Height:  263.5m (converted to OSGM15)

Summit Grid Reference:  SH 72357 58126

Bwlch Height:  228.8m (converted to OSGM15)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SH 72410 58193

Drop:  34.7m (200m Twmpau status confirmed)

Dominance:  13.18%

For further details please consult the Trimble survey spreadsheet click {here}