Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Arenig

 

27.09.20  Ffriddoedd (SH 901 368)  

Ffriddoedd (SH 901 368)

If wanting a quick visit the summit of this hill could be bagged in no more than a couple of minutes from a narrow lane and access gate.  I’ve done similar things many times in the past, and still do.  However, one of the aspects of surveying summits and bylchau is to try and combine both on the same walk, this is simplified for hills with lower prominence as their bwlch is usually nearer their summit.  Such instances afford circular walks and when combining bwlch surveys these can take you to places that otherwise you would probably never visit.  This walk was an example of the above and proved highly enjoyable because of it. 

When compiling the original Welsh 300m height band of P30s this hill was listed by an invented name of Pen Ty’n-y-bryn.  It is now listed as Ffriddoed, a name taken from the Tithe map for the land where the summit of this hill is situated. 

As many lower heighted hills in Wales, Ffriddoedd comprises grazing land.  This is interspersed with patches of woodland and narrow lanes, many of which lead to farms.  The land hereabouts is relatively quiet and probably not frequented by many. 

Prior to visiting this hill I had examined its details via LIDAR.  The LIDAR coverage takes in the summit of this hill, but not presently its bwlch.  This is proving beneficial when surveying as the ten figure grid co-ordinates produced by LIDAR analysis can zero one in to the summit and bwlch position.  Even without the aid of LIDAR the former is usually never too difficult to ascertain, however the latter on occasion can be. 

LIDAR image of Ffriddoedd

With the weather set fine I was in no rush and decided to park at the Y Bala Golf Club, having asked permission to do so.  This gave an extended nature to the walk as there is sufficient space to park at the end of the narrow lane that heads from here up the valley. 

I followed the narrow lane toward where a track descends from the farm of Fedw-lwyd; this would be on my descent route from the summit.  From here the paved lane continued to a track leading to another farm named Ffridd-y-foel.  Leaving the lane I followed a public footpath heading upstream toward the connecting bwlch.  This led to a field where sturdy cows were munching away in the sunshine. 

Arenig Fawr from the bwlch of Ffriddoedd

After assessing the lay of land at the bwlch I decided to take two data sets, both on the valley to valley traverse.  Having set the Trimble up for the first of the two surveys I spent a few minutes gently ushering the cows a safe distance from the equipment before pressing ‘Log’ and then retreated, and as the Trimble beeped away gathering its individual datum points I sat on the grass close to one of the cows and scribbled all necessary detail in my note book. 

Gathering data at the bwlch of Ffriddoedd

Once the second data set was gathered and stored I took a number of photos with Arenig Fawr in the background framed by one of the resplendent cows in the foreground.  Afterward I headed toward a gate and continued uphill. 

One of the friendly cows with Arenig Fawr in the background

Another of the friendly cows with Arenig Fawr in the background

The summit of Ffriddoedd soon came in to view and the Trimble was again set up aligned with its high point.  By now wisps of high white cloud accentuated an otherwise almost iridescent blue sky.  It felt wonderful to be in such a place. 

Beautiful conditions at the summit of Ffriddoedd

As the Trimble gathered summit data I sat on a rock in the corner of the field enjoying the peacefulness and the afternoon sunshine.  I wanted to linger but once the allotted data were gathered and stored I headed back to the summit, closed the equipment down, packed it away, checked the map and headed down the near lane to where a pubic footpath led across fields to the track leading down to Fedw-lwyd. 

Gathering data at the summit of Ffriddoedd

Arenig Fawr from the descent of Ffriddoedd

Arriving back on a part of my inward route I decided to gain height on another lane and follow the course of a footpath over fields back toward the Golf Club in preference to walking on the lane.  This route added variety and gave good views back toward the hill that glistened in the afternoon sunshine. 

 

Survey Result: 

 

Friddoedd (significant name change)  

Summit Height:  332.3m (converted to OSGM15)

Summit Grid Reference:  SH 90190 36854

Bwlch Height:  297.8m (converted to OSGM15)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SH 90167 36446

Drop:  34.4m

Dominance:  10.36%

 

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet