Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Stiperstones

 

26.08.21  Roundton Hill (SO 294 949, previously Trimbled) and Brithdir Hill (SO 298 951, previously Trimbled) 

Brithdir Hill (SO 298 951)

I enjoy my days out with Mark; they give an unrushed feeling, a time for conversation as well as visiting the hill.  For today he had suggested a circuit of Todleth Hill, Roundton Hill and Brithdir Hill.  These three hills are outliers of Corndon with Roundton Hill a particularly fine hill. 

I had surveyed each in August 2020, so for me this was going to be an unencumbered walk with no surveying, although the Trimble was carried as we had earlier visited Hargrave Bank (SJ 310 091) and surveyed it and the Trimble is not insured to leave in a car. 

The weather pattern for the last week gave murky grey mornings with cloud breaking around midday and the sun making an appearance early afternoon, and today was similar.  We had caught up with all manner of things over a coffee in my back garden before heading toward Hargrave Bank.  After surveying its summit and col we headed back to our cars and drove toward Churchstoke, parking at the Nature Reserve below the steep south-westerly face of Roundton Hill. 

By the time we set off on the good path out of the car park blue sky and warm sunshine greeted us.  When I had combined Todleth Hill with Roundton Hill I had headed down to the narrow lane to their north and used this to head for the latter hill’s connecting bwlch with its higher neighbour of Brithdir Hill.  Although this gave a relatively easy ascent the one we chose today was much more rewarding. 

Heading up the hill

Whilst on the path we found a number of inviting blackberries, although most had not matured, but still, an odd one or two definitely helped proceedings.  In its lower section the path ascends a steep field before swinging around the western flank of the hill and narrowing.  The path continues to gain height past an assortment of undergrowth, all shielding steep drops, until it brings you out on to open hillside.  It’s a wonderful way up the hill.  The path continues on the steep upper slopes of Roundton Hill, by now I was begging for a rest, but persisted, slowly following Mark as he made steady progress toward the summit. 

Taking in the view

Nearing the summit of Roundton Hill

When I reached the top I lay on the ground and contemplated never getting up again.  It was lovely just to stop and regain my breath.  It was now a beautiful late afternoon with gorgeous colour accentuated by a slowly sinking sun.  In the distance, Corndon and Lan Fawr invitingly beckoned, whilst nearer at hand, Brithdir Hill was framed by protruding rocks just a short distance below.  Once I had regained my breath the scene was captivating.  The hills are wonderful places to visit, they give solace and on many occasions moments that will linger in one’s memory for many months to come. 

Lan Fawr and Corndon

Leaving the summit of Roundton Hill we followed the path, this time down steep slopes and over the connecting bwlch with Brithdir Hill, with the Trimble giving the latter just 0.7m higher than Roundton Hill.  Although Brithdir Hill is slightly higher, it is its lower neighbour that is the better hill. 

Roundton Hill from the ascent of Brithdir Hill

A path continues toward the top of Brithdir Hill which is crowned by an embedded rock.  We stopped here for a few moments before reversing our route back to the connecting bwlch.  From here we descended direct down the high valley to connect with our initial upward path.  The walk had taken 1hr 50mins and proved an ideal way to end the hill visiting part of the day.  Once back at the cars I quickly changed and we drove to Welshpool and The Raven for our 6.15pm table for two. 

Meals at the end of a day on the hill are a lovely way to relax, and this meal was particularly good, sitting outside in early evening sunshine with good company, good food and good conversation, a very enjoyable day indeed! 

 

Survey Result: 

 

Roundton Hill  

Summit Height:  370.4m (converted to OSGM15, from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Summit Grid Reference:  SO 29408 94952 (from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Bwlch Height:  327.0m (converted to OSGM15, from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SO 29531 95067 (from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Drop:  43.4m (from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Dominance:  11.72% (from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

 

 

Brithdir Hill (significant name change)  

Summit Height:  371.1m (converted to OSGM15, from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Summit Grid Reference:  SO 29863 95157 (from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Bwlch Height:  c 313m (interpolation)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SO 29923 95772 (interpolation)

Drop:  c 58m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and interpolated bwlch)

Dominance:  15.67% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and interpolated bwlch)

 

 

For details on the survey of Roundton Hill and Brithdir Hill

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet