Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Mynydd Sylen

31.07.18  Parc y Fedwen (SN 460 196)

Parc y Fedwen (SN 460 196)

Parc y Fedwen is positioned overlooking the Afon Tywi (River Towy) as it meanders west toward Caerfyrddin (Carmarthen), with the listed name of the hill now taking on the name given the field where its summit is situated and which appears on the Tithe map.

If wanting a quick ascent to its summit a convenient passing place on a minor lane toward the west of the high point can be used to park a car, and a gate then gives access in to the adjacent field, and having already visited four hills and with another one planned after this walk, this is the route I opted for.

Many of the fields hereabouts are bordered by hedges, thankfully the field leading toward the summit of this hill has a gap in the upper part of its hedge boundary, and this leads direct to the high point of the hill.

LIDAR analysis gave two points of equal height which are situated about eight metres apart, each today on parched grass, with one being nearer another hedge boundary, I surveyed both.

Gathering data at the first survey for summit position on Parc y Fedwen

During my stay on the summit cloud had obscured the afternoon’s sunshine and wisps of rain could just be felt on the breeze, these were no more than an afterthought and reminded me of a similar occasion on a Greek island when visiting a village overlooking the sea and watching cloud slowly ebb inland bringing the same wisps of moisture to a parched land.

Gathering data at the second survey for summit position on Parc y Fedwen

Once the two data sets were gathered and stored I packed the Trimble away and descended the short distance back to my car, next stop, my sixth P30 of the day; Llain Fawr (SN 428 202).

Survey Result:

Parc y Fedwen (significant name change)

Summit Height:  97.1m (converted to OSGM15)

Summit Grid Reference:  SN 46091 19673

Bwlch Height:  55.9m (LIDAR)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SN 46613 19503 (LIDAR)

Drop:  41.2m (Trimble summit and LIDAR bwlch)

Dominance:  42.44% (Trimble summit and LIDAR bwlch)

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet