Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Elenydd

 

15.10.20  Bryn Bras (SN 573 772) 

Bryn Bras (SN 573 772)

This was the second of what proved to be nine hills visited during the day, eight of which are listed as P30s, with the odd one out being listed as a sub.  I was out on the hill with Charles Everett and we had just visited Castell (SN 585 789), which is a small heighted but wonderfully positioned hill overlooking the Afon Ystwyth and the coast to the north-west.  Our next hill on the days agenda is listed as Bryn Bras and is positioned south-westward of Castell and for the convenience of our bagging day it has a narrow lane that contours the hill’s upper part and which is to its east.  This lane helped our bagging agenda as it enabled a relatively quick, albeit leisurely ascent. 

The morning was glorious with unadulterated blue sky near the coast and with a bank of cloud inland telling us that we had picked our hills favourably for the day.  The whole area that we explored during the day reminded me of parts of Ireland with quiet lanes and gorse laden hills.  It had a gentle feeling to it, one that was unrushed and even though the shear nature of hill bagging sometimes dictates a rushed mentality, our leisurely pace to and up and from the hill to the next, seemed in tune with our surroundings. 

Having explored the access to this hill via Google Earth I thought an approach from the west was one that could be taken, however we found a parking place close to where a public footpath leaves a sharp bend in the lane and marches off toward Morfa Bychan caravan site.  This approach was quicker and aerial views showed that it was also easier as it avoided much of the gorse on parts of the hill. 

It’s always a challenge writing a report of a survey that only took a few minutes to walk up the hill, survey it and walk back down.  I often approach such tasks from one of description and feeling, rather than one of practicality where a single paragraph would suffice.  This could be thought of as over-complicating matters, but I find my approach takes me back to the hill and the feelings I experienced when there. 

As we wandered back down the lane to a stile, Charles led the way, as he also did so across the field with me heading upward toward a fence.  Charles called across for me to join him as another stile crossed the fence and gave us access to the upper hill. 

Early morning cows were grazing the eastern and southern parts of the upper hill, their black and white coats shining against the morning sunshine.  The ones beyond the summit on the southern part of the hill slowly munched their way toward us as we reached the hill’s high point.  The summit gave wonderful coastal views with the blue of the sea screaming back at us, temptingly and alluringly, an almost never ending horizon opened to the Llŷn in the north and the hills of Pembrokeshire to the south.  Charles celebrated in the only manner that Charles can! 

And why not as it was a stunningly beautiful day!

Charles waiting patiently for the Trimble to gather data

Within a few minutes we had assessed the lay of land and chosen the placement for the Trimble.  Prior to visiting this hill I had analysed its numerical details via LIDAR, and even though this can help with zeroing in to the summit of a hill, in many instances it is only used afterward as a confirmation as many summits, even on lesser heighted hills are easy to pinpoint by just the use of one’s eye, and Bryn Bras was such an example. 

LIDAR image of Bryn Bras

During data gathering we both stood back from the equipment and waited for the allotted data to be collected and stored.  I also kept an eye on the cows that were slowly making their way upward and toward our position. 

Gathering data at the summit of Bryn Bras

Once data were gathered and stored I closed the equipment down, took a few photographs, packed it away and re-joined Charles as we headed down.  On the way we encountered more cows with one or two slowly approaching us, ever inquisitive even if rather timid.  Charles stayed with them as I wandered toward the stile leading us back to the lane, and after gentle encouragement one of the cows slowly approached Charles sticking its nose out for a stroke. 

Our companions near the summit

Once back at the car we headed further south for about 2km, on the same narrow lane to our third hill of the day; Banc (SN 568 757). 

 

Survey Result: 

 

Bryn Bras (significant name change)  

Summit Height:  169.8m (converted to OSGM15, Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Summit Grid Reference:  SN 57323 77231 (Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Bwlch Height:  127.7m (LIDAR)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SN 57194 76934 and SN 57199 76941 (LIDAR)

Drop:  42.1m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

Dominance:  24.80% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

 

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet