Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Fforest Glud

11.01.14  Whimble (SO 205 626)

Whimble (SO 205 626).

After visiting Cefn Perfa (SO 173 579) I drove to New Radnor and the top of the Mutton Dingle road, where parking is provided a hundred metres or so up the forest track at the end of the steep and narrow lane.

The next objective was Whimble, surveying this hill had been suggested by Alan Dawson who quite liked the idea of having the Trimble on Whimble!  Except for the eloquence of phrase the hill is also just under Sim status (599m summit on Ordnance Survey maps).

From the parking area a path led up through the forest to quickly join the forest edge where a green path headed up toward Whimble.  The ajacent conifers on the initial ascent of this route obstruct any view of this most shapely of Fforest Glud hills.  Although a brisk and chilling breeze was blowing the day was proving beautiful with low light and vivid blue sky.  Down on my left was Harley Dingle with the distinct Three Riggles lit up by the sunshine on the eastern face of Great Rhos.

Harley Dingle is used as a firing range and notices warm the unwary walker to keep out.  The Three Riggles on the eastern face of Great Rhos are a distinct feature of the hill.

Toward the top of the forest Whimble started to appear as a steep sided, rounded hill.  Although not the highest of the Fforest Glud hills as it has Bache Hill, Black Mixen and Great Rhos all near, Whimble should not be missed if heading for the three 2,000ft’s / Sims as it’s a gem of a hill.

The Trimble makes it to Whimble.

A steep path through the heather led up to the summit area with the highest point consisting of a grassed tumulus with a flat top.  About half a metre below the top the sides of the barrow are stepped-in, implying a later cairn was placed on the top of the round barrow.  It’s a lovely summit with almost perfectly sculptured symmetrical sides to the barrow that match the shapely dimensions of the hill.

I placed the Trimble on the high point and waited for the equipment to attain its 0.1m of accuracy before activating it to gather data and quietly smiled at those people who do not include ancient summit structures that are permanent in nature as being recognised as the high point of the hill.  I then stood and looked out toward the high hills of the south, and away to the east toward the Clee and Malvern hills, with Hergest Ridge and Hanter Hill being prominent in the nearer foreground – what a wonderful spot.

The round barrow is the highest point on Whimble.

As a brisk breeze was blowing I secured the Trimble with small rocks to stop it from suffering wind wobble.

The temptation to continue the round of the higher tops was dispelled as I wanted to visit Old Radnor Hill (SO 251 588) and what is left of its summit and also explore the area of its bwlch.  However, time did permit visiting the bwlch of Whimble which is just below and north-eastward from the summit.

The bwlch proved a little confusing as it’s one of those that when looked at from one direction the land in front looks higher, and when standing on the ‘higher’ ground and looking back, that ground then looks higher.  I resorted to using a tiny spirit level to sight the land from a number of directions and then chose my spot.  Five minutes of data collection later and I left feeling content as I made my way around the northern and western bulk of Whimble to re-join my inward route.

The yellow Trimble almost disappearing in the greenness of the bwlch of Whimble.

The descent back to the car had a feeling of spring warmth to it as gloves and balaclava were taken off and the land radiated happiness.  The Radnor hills are some of my favourites; it would be hard to describe them as spectacular, as their beauty is not in cliff edge and summit height, but more so in openness where old tracks lead to forgotten places and the beat of time seems slower and somehow more tranquil.  A wonderful place.  

Survey Result:

Whimble

Summit Height:  598.8m (converted to OSGM15) (500m Twmpau status confirmed)

Summit Grid Reference:  SO 20511 62640

Bwlch Height:  514.8m (converted to OSGM15)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SO 20815 62836

Drop:  84.0m

Dominance:  14.03%

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