Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Carnedd Wen

 

15.09.20  Aberbechan Wood (SO 128 950)  

LIDAR image of Aberbechan Wood (SO 128 950)

By the time we left the car for the walk to the summit of the hill listed as Aberbechan Wood it was 6.10pm, and realising we had time aplenty to visit the last of thirteen hills during the day for Alex and ten for me and then drive to Welshpool for the 7.55pm train connection for Alex, we could to an extent take our time.  However, we did need to be back at the car and leave by approximately 7.15pm to catch the last connection at Welshpool Railway Station.  So although we did not need to rush, we couldn’t linger. 

Leaving the car we followed a track beside a deciduous wood that gave shelter from the rain that was still falling.  This led to a gate and a steepening field.  Beyond the gate the field was highlighted by the ever lowering sun and glimmered in the most beautiful and delicate green. 

The lowering sun casting delicate colour

The summit was at the top of this field and we rested close to the gate for a minute or so before I followed Alex up the steep slope.  Using the Trimble as a hand-held device the ten figure grid reference produced by LIDAR analysis zeroed us in to the high point of the hill. 

Gathering data at the summit of Aberbechan Wood

The Trimble was soon set-up gathering data.  To our east and north the hillsides shone in the most stunning late afternoon / early evening light, which was accentuated by the slate grey sky above.  It was a fine hill to finish on, and one that we stood on top of long after the Trimble was closed down, just looking at the view and savouring the colour. 

Beautiful late afternoon colour highlighted the land

Reversing our inward route we were back at the car by 7.00pm and had plenty of time to watch the sun sinking in to the distant horizon, with a foreground of grazing cattle and pastured fields. 

The perfect end to an excellent day

It had been an excellent day with warm sunshine followed by intermittent rain, visiting some good smaller heighted hills; our days totals were thirteen for Alex and ten for me.  It had also given me the opportunity to meet local farmers, with three important names given and documented that will now be used for listing purposes. 

All that remained was the drive back to Welshpool, and by 7.35pm Alex was heading across the footbridge to the Railway Station’s platform for his connection back to north Wales.  Whilst I headed home for a rest! 

 

Survey Result: 

 

Aberbechan Wood (significant name change)

Summit Height:  192.9m (converted to OSGM15, Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Summit Grid Reference:  SO 12815 95085 (Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Bwlch Height:  149.7m (LIDAR)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SO 13155 95542 (LIDAR)

Drop:  43.2m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

Dominance:  22.40% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

 

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet