Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Arenig

28.12.13  Bryn Mawr (SH 801 442)

Bryn Mawr (SH 801 442).  Photo: Mark Trengove.

Bryn Mawr stands somewhat solitary and lonely overlooking the minor B4407 road between Ysbyty Ifan and Llan Ffestiniog.  It is part of a wild landscape known as Y Migneint.  An apt name as when translated this means ‘the marshy streams’.

The desolation and beauty of Y Migneint.

Today Mark Trengove, Aled Williams and I wanted to find a secluded spot, sheltered from any wind, with a hill or two nearby for us to visit.  Our plan was to film a promotional video to the listing of The Fours that had just been published by Europeaklist.  We also wanted our chosen spot to be mid-way between Porthmadog, Mold and Welshpool.  Visiting Y Migneint and the isolated old farm house of Cefngarw with an ascent of Bryn Mawr (SH 801 442) was ideal.

Meeting in Ysbyty Ifan we drove one car further up the valley and parked close to the Water Works that is marked on the 1:25,000 map.  From here we descended to a good, solid footbridge that spans a small gorge of the upper Afon Conwy.  The onward route to Cefngarw follows a track with the Afon Serw and Arennig Fach across the wild land to the south-east.

The track leading to the old farm house of Cefngarw.

Mark and Aled on the way toward Cefngarw.

This whole area portrays a feeling of openness, and when the filming had concluded we backtracked and started the ascent of Bryn Mawr.  We’d already decided that the remaining daylight hours were not conducive to the trek to the bwlch to survey it.  After one dark grey shower started with its first few drops, it suddenly disappeared and sunlight was then striking open hillside with radiant winter colour.  Nearing the summit the view north-west opened up with more wild land heading off to Graig Goch and the Moelwynion.

Winter light on the higher Eryri peaks.

Although Bryn Mawr is plateaux like from 480m up to its 511m summit map height the high point is not difficult to find, and whilst we all admired the view the Trimble found its spot and gathered its data.

The summit area of Bryn Mawr.

The Trimble GeoXH 6000 and Mark's hand-held GPS both gathering data on the summit of Bryn Mawr.

After walking part of its summit plateaux we decided upon a direct descent northward, this brought us down to what was becoming an ever increasingly wide stream.  So much so that no easy and relatively dry crossing could be found.  We quickly waded and got boots, ankles, socks and trousers very wet.  The day proved good fun with an excellent walk, company and hill. 

Survey Result:


Bryn Mawr

Summit Height:  510.5m (converted to OSGM15)

Summit Grid Reference:  SH 80141 44275

Drop:  c 92m

Dominance:  18.02%

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