04.09.21 Mynydd
Mallaen (SN 722 455)
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| Mynydd Mallaen (SN 722 455) |
Many years ago when compiling
the original Welsh P30s I remember looking at the two dimensional map profile
of Mynydd Mallaen and being amazed at the vast bulk of the hill. To its south other P30s connect to it and one
or two rogue P20s make an appearance on its plateau, but in the main its land
mass just comprises one significant hill.
This hill is complex in
nature with a southerly and south-easterly broad ridge descending from its
highest point, which is marked by two substantial Bronze Age barrows and an
Ordnance Survey triangulation pillar.
These two broad ridges have many undulations, with the Afon Gwenlais
forming the central heartland comprising many streams forming its catchment
area.
The whole hill forms the
southern extremity of what I know as the Elenydd. To its north is extensive wilderness with
many hills of similar height, broken by conifer plantations, bog and
streams. To its south the land gradually
descends to friendlier climes.
The hill is enclosed by
steep sides with its highest point relatively close to its connecting bwlch; which
is named Bwlch-y-rhiw. It was from this
bwlch that we headed for the summit.
Prior to the ascent we
had stopped at the bwlch on our way to Aber Bronddu farm and our visit to Banc
y Graig (SN 699 452) and Cnepyn Cerrig (SN 706 460), and asked permission to
park adjacent to farm buildings comprising large barns. The permission was duly granted and a
detailed route to the summit given us, this matched a route Aled had spotted
from aerial maps.
Leaving the car I
followed Aled on a good green quad bike track aiming for a gate and its
continuation beside a fence. The
afternoon heat was building but cloud cover gave a semblance of respite. Across the valley the steep western side of Cnepyn
Cerrig stared back at us, this is covered in oak and must be a beautiful sight
on a sun drenched autumnal day with colour a plenty.
As height was gained my
energy levels began to plummet, which is starting to get a concern, but I generally
know my body and how to pace a taxing walk, but still, this ascent was proving
tiring.
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| Approaching the plateau |
Eventually we left the
main quad bike track and veered leftward and continued up following another
track on the moor, this crested the plateau near to a rock outcrop. Here I lay on the ground and ate a banana,
rested and tried to enjoy the fact of being on this marvellous hill.
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| Approaching the small rock outcrop |
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| Nearing the small rock outcrop |
From here it was only a
relatively short walk to the first of the two Bronze Age cairns. This cairn is impressive and can be seen from
many a mile away. When originally built
it was 25 metres in diameter and between 4 – 5m in height. Nowadays it has been refashioned with a
modern-day cairn built of its rock to signify its high point and a channel cut
through on its western side which some report to be observational in nature
toward the near triangulation pillar.
The size of the cairn is similar to its original construction.
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| Approaching the summit of Mynydd Mallaen |
When faced by such a construction
it is always difficult to choose a point to survey as the natural summit could be
under the cairn and ground on its periphery would then be lower than the hill’s
natural height. We decided upon two
positions to survey, the first on the highest part of the ancient cairn that
was solid and stable and had grass growing on it, the second at what was deemed
to be the highest part of natural ground on the periphery of the cairn. The latter was covered in grass and bilberry,
but even this was seemingly atop part of the rock forming the lower part of the
cairn.
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| The first of two data sets gathered at the summit of Mynydd Mallaen |
During data collection
Aled headed off to investigate the other large cairn which has now been
hollowed out to incorporate a wind shelter.
We stayed on top for about 20 minutes collecting the two data sets, and
sitting at the base of the southerly cairn, resting, eating and talking. By the time we set off back down the hill a
cloud bank had pushed in from the south giving greying skies, although these
broke again as we descended.
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| The second of two data sets gathered at the summit of Mynydd Mallaen |
On our descent we opted
for a shortened route and cut across partly rough ground to connect back with
the quad bike track. This saved quite a
distance and we then followed the track back to the awaiting car.
All that remained was to
survey the bwlch, this we judged to be positioned close to where the car was
parked and was at or close to one of three gates leading from the narrow lane
across the near fields and past a large barn.
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| Gathering data at the bwlch of Mynydd Mallaen |
I set the Trimble up to
gather bwlch data and wandered back to the car to change and pack my gear
away. For me it had been a tiring day on
the hill, but one that was extremely rewarding both in the hills visited and
surveys conducted, but also in the meeting of Irwel and Eirwyn Jones at Aber
Bronddu farm. Just the drive home
remained.
Survey Result:
Mynydd Mallaen
Summit Height: 460.9m (converted to OSGM15)
Summit Grid Reference: SN 72217 45534
Bwlch Height: 259.2m (converted to OSGM15)
Bwlch Grid Reference: SN 72372 46231
Drop: 201.7m
Dominance: 43.76%
For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet
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