Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Arenig Fach

06.11.16  Arenig Fach (SH 820 415)    

Arenig Fach (SH 820 415)

Today Steve Smith completed the Nuttalls; the 2,000ft mountains of both England and Wales.  He had chosen Arenig Fach as his final hill having dashed toward completion during the settled weather of October.

We met at the car park on the western shore of Llyn Celyn between Y Bala and Trawsfynydd.  As I drove west over Y Berwyn the sky darkened a forbidding slate grey giving wintry showers over the hills, with the land to the north swamped in rain cloud, whilst the land west and south still had a relatively high cloud base showing the signs of the first snows of the season on the higher summits.

Pulling in to the car park I watched a Buzzard sitting on a large rock only a few metres away, I donned full wet proofs as the prospect of the ascent being dry was rapidly disappearing and by the time I’d sorted my gear the rain had started.  I took shelter in my car as Tony arrived, closely followed by Adrian and Ayako.  By the time Steve arrived with Gina, Josie and Simon a number of people were ready to set off hoping to get a reasonable start over the quicker people in the group.

Gathering in the car park for Steve's final Nuttall

We followed a graveled track from the roadside that soon merged in to a vehicle track on the moor and then a path of sorts continued toward the fence line on the eastern broad ridge of Arenig Fach.

Heading toward Arenig Fach with Mynydd Nodol in the background

(L-R) Simon, Josie, Ayako, Adrian and Gina

By now the weather had closed in with squally showers submerging the land, a sleet grey scene emerged as we headed toward a ladder stile where the main part of the group waited for the others to join them.  I took advantage and slowly plodded onward and upward following the fence line as the rain chilled to sleet and then wet snow.  I rarely go out in such conditions as I am fortunate and can pick my days on the hill, but I found the weather to be invigorating as the wind blew and the land became chilled in its early winter’s grip.

By the time the gradient lessened some of the others had caught up, I headed toward the small cairn east of the recognised summit hoping to get a data set from the high point of the land beside it.  By now it was cold and although I had two sets of gloves on my fingers were chilled from the incessant wet weather.  I quickly took a five minute data set and aimed toward the trig pillar where Steve had just arrived.

Gathering the first data set on the summit area of Arenig Fach

Arriving at the trig everyone was taking shelter behind the large wind shelter at the summit, photos were taken, handshakes had and congratulations given, but the weather dictated that we couldn’t stay here too long and the celebratory cake would have to wait until back at the cars.

Steve Smith completes the Nuttalls atop Arenig Fach

Before everyone left I had chance to gather another five minute data set on top of a rock which was about five metres from the trig pillar, but another larger erratic also vied for the high point of the hill, and as the group wisely left the summit and disappeared from view in to the thickness of murk to head down I positioned the Trimble for a third data set.  Jon Glew kindly waited with me, and once five minutes of data were gathered I packed the equipment away and followed Jon in to the murk to find the descent route.

Gathering the second data set on the summit area of Arenig Fach

Gathering the third data set on the summit area of Arenig Fach

My fingers were now wet and chilled, but it was a cold that was not unwelcome, one that was manageable, and as we quickly lost height the severity of the chill lessened and the wet snow turned itself back to the customary rain, which then lessened still as we joined the path and vehicle track back to the road.

We gathered beside Steve’s camper van for cake and drinks and tried to shelter as best we could as another squally shower sped across the land.  It had been another excellent day on the hill which proved somewhat cold but also rejuvenated my pleasure with the higher of the Welsh hills and many congratulations to Steve for a fine achievement in completing the 2,000ft Nuttalls.

 

Survey Result:

Arenig Fach

Summit Height:  688.9m (converted to OSGM15)

Summit Grid Reference:  SH 82020 41583

Bwlch Height:  390.6m (converted to OSGM15, from subsequent Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SH 78593 38716 (from subsequent Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Drop:  298.3m

Dominance:  43.30%

For details on the bwlch survey of this hill

For further details please consult the Trimble survey spreadsheet

Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Pumlumon

05.11.16  Drosgol (SN 717 885)    

Drosgol (SN 717 885)

Drosgol is an unassuming little hill that is situated amongst the eastern lands of the Pumlumon range.  These lands descend west to fertile grazing fields before towns are encountered and the natural barrier of the sea.  These hills can portray a remote and slightly wild persona where meeting another person on them is somewhat of a rarity, they are all the better for it.

Today’s walk was a special occasion as Rob Woodall had chosen Drosgol as his last 300m P30 in the whole of Wales and England with their respective totals being 1332 and 1130.  In old money these can be considered the 1,000ft hills.

The meeting point was arranged to the south-west of the hill, at the end of a narrow paved lane that confidently aimed due east from the confines of Tal-y-bont, where adequate parking was found on a gravelled area adjacent to a disused mine.  When I arrived Adrian Dust was waiting beside his car, he’d already visited a number of hills earlier in the day and had his sights set on Moel Golomen; a 317m map heighted hill on the ridge to the south of the Afon Cyneiniog.

The upper reaches of the Cyneiniog valley with Moel Golomen in the background

We chatted for a while before Adrian set off, I then took shelter in my car as a brisk shower sped south across the hills.  Once the rain had stopped I set off down the continuation of the narrow lane to a green path that climbed steadily toward the summit of Drosgol.  I’d set off an hour before the meeting time of 3.00pm as my right knee was still proving problematic and I also wanted to survey the hill’s bwlch and its summit before everyone reached the top.

As I gained height I found a sheep track contouring round the western side of the hill toward the bwlch which nestled between Drosgol and its higher neighbour; the Sub-Pedwar of Llechwedd Cwm Byr.  Arriving at the bwlch I positioned the Trimble on top of my rucksack to give it elevation above its immediate surrounds, measured a 0.45m offset between its internal antenna and the ground at its base and proceeded to gather five minutes of data.  Except for an occasional flurry of wind, all was quiet and undisturbed.

Looking toward the critical bwlch of Drosgol

After packing the equipment away I slowly plodded up to the summit and took two data sets, with the second being at the top of an attractive rock bluff.  As the Trimble gathered its customary five minutes of data the sun burst through the thickened grey blue sky giving depth to the landscape, the near forestry radiated its autumnal colours as delicate yellows merged with those of orange as the predominant greens flanked their surrounds.

Gathering data at the critical bwlch of Drosgol

The wooded colours of autumn

Gathering data at the summit of Drosgol

Once the surveys for the day were complete I had a bite to eat and waited on a rocky hummock and watched as small figures emerged on the upper ridge, all heading toward the summit.  Alex was first to arrive with Adrian and Jon, closely followed by Matthew and Rob.

Heading for the summit

The next half hour or so gave us magical light as the late afternoon sparkled.  Once everyone had arrived Rob headed toward the summit and stood on top, another fine achievement completed amongst many that he has done.

Adrian admiring the view

Rob heading for the summit

Whiskey and cake were passed round as we stood on top and basked in the late afternoon sunshine.  Photos were taken and a few minutes of video.  These celebrations are special events, shared amongst good hill walking friends who gather in appreciation of a person’s determination and enthusiasm to finish a list of hills.

Rob and friends on the summit of Drosgol

Rob on the summit of Drosgol having completed the Welsh 300m P30s

As the sun ebbed behind a large bulbous cloud out to the west we headed back to the valley and the awaiting cars, I slowly made my way down at the rear trying to protect my knee and stopped on occasion to photograph and admire the delicate sun burst and cloudscape forming out to the west, a beautiful scene to end the day.  

A beautiful cloudscape to end the day

    

Survey Result:

Drosgol

Summit Height:  367.6m (converted to OSGM15)

Summit Grid Reference:  SN 71769 88547 

Bwlch Height:  326.2m (converted to OSGM15)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SN 71621 88808

Drop:  41.4m

Dominance:  11.26%

For further details please consult the Trimble survey spreadsheet

Guest Contributor – Steve Smith

Introduction

This page heading on the Mapping Mountains site features articles from Guest Contributors, with the only stipulations being that the article has to be hill related and that I don't end up in court through its publication! Otherwise the choice of subject matter is down to the Guest Contributor.  For those wishing to submit an article please contact me via the email address given on the ‘About Me’ page heading.

Guest Contributor – Steve Smith

Steve Smith - Nuttall completer

Evolution of a Hill Bagger

On 02 October 2008 I went up Simon Fell, my very first English Nuttall, before I even knew that a Nuttall existed or indeed any other hill category.

Pen-y-ghent summit one of the first Nuttalls visited on 03 October 2008, but this time on Day 07 of The Pennine Way

But that is not really where hill-bagging for me started.  That can be traced to walking the Dales Way in August of the same year.  On day 03 we were scheduled to walk along Beckermonds where the guide book suggested we should look out for Ingleborough straight ahead.  However it was Pen-y-gent on the left that caught my attention although I did not know its name at the time, and I just wondered what it would be like at the very top.  I also met up with Bob Smith, though I am sure he will not remember, from Grough Magazine.

I therefore planned a return with friends in October that year staying at The Sun Inn, Dent where we passed a couple of days later on the way to Sedbergh.  However they could only manage two or three days off work, so I set off on my own a few days early to go up both Ingleborough and Pen-y-gent.  Planning the routes also identified two other spot heights; Simon Fell & Plover Hill as well as Park Fell.  Moving on to Dent we also went up Wherneside and The Calf again picking off a few spot heights as part of the same route.

Having not done any walking other than The Dales Way surprisingly that was me hooked.  Returning home I managed to arrange another trip before Xmas and this time it was the Lake District with a couple of mates.  Two days - two spot heights; Helvelyn from Patterdale on day 01 and High Street from Mardale on day 02.  Day 01 we got as far as High Spy summit, via Birkhouse Moor before being split up as a group and driven back by the first snow of the year.  Day 02 was more successful in as much as we reached High Street via Rough Crag and also managed to pick off three other spot heights on that ridge; Rampsgill Head, High Raise and Kidsty Pike.

Finding Reg after being separated 30 mins earlier on High Spy summit as he pressed on across Striding Edge

It was not until after returning home from the Lake District I started to research the web and found the hill-bagging web site.  I also searched for “Striding Edge” and found http://www.stridingedge.net/.  Both were inspirational.  Hill-bagging introduced me to all the different hill types including Nuttalls and Striding Edge gave me the germ of the idea to document all of my walks on a blog – Peak Bagging and Long Distance Walking in the UK .

Originally the scope was to document routes to the Nuttalls, which were not readily available on the internet in those days.  During the 8 years since the first Nuttall I like to think I have progressed past the novice phase now but know I still have a lot to learn.  The purpose has now been extended to  include all hill types , be part of the extensive and growing community for hill-walkers on the web and share these experiences to:-

·         link up with likeminded people.

·         show that with common sense and not going outside of your skill-set anyone can enjoy the hills.

·         demonstrate opportunities available to extend your skill-set to enjoy the hills safely even more.

·         maybe meet up on the hill and go on walks you would not necessarily do, or are capable to do alone.

·         share routes

Turns out my very first Hill was The Roaches in June 2008 but what really appealed to me on Hill Bagging was the “My Progress” page which showed I had been up 20 hills including 15 Nuttalls, 11 Hewitts (which I initially struggled to differentiate from Nuttalls), 4 Deweys, 7 Humps and 6 of these things called Marilyns.  It was at this point I had the idea that I would target Nuttalls and resolved to return to the Lake District as soon as I could after Xmas.

Not sure when I first had the idea to go up all of the Nuttalls, sometime during the next couple of years, but with only managing four or five trips I do remember being constantly frustrated I was not managing more bagging trips.  However I suppose that was not bad living in Suffolk and working full time.  Writing up the walk reports helped as a surrogate and in all honesty it has turned out to be a record of my journey from novice hill-walker to relatively experienced hill-bagger.

Catstye Cam - English Nuttall completion (NPR) 20 April 2013 with wife, daughter-in-law (to be at the time) and walking friend John

In August 2012 I had a brain Haemorrhage.  With only 12 English Nuttalls remaining one of the things I remember thinking was I had not completed them all.  Fortunately I made a full recovery and completed (NPR) on Catstye Cam in April 2013.  What turned out to be a theme Thack Moor was promoted to Nuttall status that month and I managed to include that during the final trip.  One disappointment was the weather prevented me getting up Pillar Rock and for whatever reason I did not want that to be the last.  However that is how it turned out and after completing it in June this year I realised it was a worthy top and in some ways wish I had saved it as the final English/Welsh Nuttall.  It’s status as the final English Nuttall did not last long however as Calf Top finally achieved Nuttall status (for now anyway) resulting in me having to nip up to Cumbria from Suffolk on the way to North Wales to avoid leaving one Nuttall unclimbed.

With completion of the English Nuttalls approaching I had been considering what to do next.  In all honesty that choice was obvious.  Carry on with the Welsh Nuttalls which I then started on Chwarel y Fan in August 2013.  I was briefly distracted by the Munros in 2014 but after a serious back problem in March 2015 following a strenuous Winter Mountaineering expedition in Torridon once again started thinking I had not completed the Welsh Nuttalls.  The Shropshire Hills and other Marilyns in area 38 provided gentle rehabilitation and although I intended to complete the Nuttalls before my 60^th birthday, once again I was tempted to focus on Marilyns rather than Nuttalls.  However returning above 2000’ in October 2015 on the Foel y Geifr ridge for the first time since injury provided the refocus I needed and from then I set myself the target to complete the 110 remaining Nuttalls before November 2016.

England & Wales Nuttall completion on Arenig Fach with family, friends and hill-bagging buddies 06 November 2016

2016 has been my most prolific hill bagging year culminating in me completing the Nuttalls on Arenig Fach on 06 November 2016, 8 years, 1 month and 4 days after the first.  Not a record braking pace but that is not what it is all about.  Thinking about the highlights – there were lots (and a couple of lowlights, nearly not getting off Mickle Fell).

On reflection I think the biggest highlight is the personal growth and development.  Doing something like going up a mountain for the first time on your own, learning any necessary skills to complete the challenge not to mention taking on a long term challenge the scope of which seems impossible but is clearly not with time, application, resilience and effort.

Abseiling into Jordan Gap from Pillar Rock - English Nuttall completion 22 June 2016

An obvious highlight was the recent ascent up Pillar Rock.  I always said if I need a rope I won't be going there.  Well I have needed a rope and have been there.  Think I will be doing a bit more as well.  This has been my approach throughout, not to be constrained by limitations but use them to move forwards and achieve the overall objective.

One thing for sure, after completing the Nuttalls there is not a feeling of emptiness.  Short term is to concentrate on the Munros leading on to Corbetts and Grahams in the medium term.  All of these will contribute to the long term goal of completing all 1556 GB Marilyns.

Steve Smith (November 2016)

Steve Smith completes the Nuttalls

Congratulations to Steve Smith who on the 6^th November 2016 completed the Nuttalls on Arenig Fach (SH 820 415) above Llyn Celyn to the west of Y Bala in north Wales. 

Steve was joined on his completion walk by his wife Gina and many friends including Josie Bacon, Simon Bendall, Ayako, Alex Cameron, Adrian Dust, Charles Everett, Jon Glew, Tony Jenkins, Myrddyn Phillips, Adrian Rayner, Anthony Whitehead and Rob Woodall.

Steve and friends celebrating on the summit of Arennig Fach having completed the Nuttalls

The summit celebrations were curtailed due to inclement weather (the wind-blown wet snow proved a bit chilly) and the cake had to wait to be feasted on when we were all safely down from the hill and back at the cars (even then it was still darn right cold).

The Nuttalls are the 2,000ft Mountains of both England and Wales and form one of the main challenges for the hill walker south of the Scottish border.  The list was compiled by John and Anne Nuttall and published by Cicerone Press in a two volume guide entitled The Mountains of England and Wales, volume 1 Wales and The Mountains of England and Wales, volume 2 England is 1989 and 1990 respectively.

There are currently 445 Nuttalls, with 255 in England and 190 in Wales, with the latest addition being Craig Gwaun Taf (SO 005 207) which only entered the list two days before Steve’s completion walk, thankfully he had already visited the hill!

Congratulations to Steve on becoming the latest Nuttall completer.