18.04.15 Mynydd Parys
(SH 443 905)
Mynydd Parys (SH 443 905) |
Mynydd Parys stands in
the north-east of Ynys Môn and south of the small community of Amlwch. The hill has been mined extensively from the
Roman age and particularly so in the late 18th century when the
copper mine was the largest in the world.
This activity has left a ravaged landscape, but one of interest where
the uprooted rock is now scattered and a multitude of colour adds surrealism to
any visit.
The hill is easily
accessible from a large pot-holed car park to the west of the summit. From here a number of tracks head off. I visited with my brother; Bryn, who due to a
number of motorcycle accidents can no longer cope with the rigours of extended
hill walks. We chose the main track from
the car park and gradually walked up into the colourful land of mine spoil and
lake. Spring gorse added a bright yellow
intensity to the land with the ochre of rock being diffused by the overhead
sun.
On the main track from the car park to the west of the hill's summit |
Interspersed amongst the
ochre is a subtle red, not as pre-dominant as its counterpart but nevertheless
a rather welcome addition to the colour display. All this was offset with a radiant blue sky
that added depth.
We passed a number of
lakes before looking down into a large quarried pit, all around were paths and
tracks. The summit area of the hill is
easily found as the old stone tower is still standing where once it had sails
attached to it as part of the mine workings.
The three quarry lakes |
The large quarried pit |
Bryn heading toward the summit |
There are now
information boards in the stone tower telling the story of the mine, this was
also a good place to shelter out of the brisk wind which had been blowing since
we set off.
Artist's impression of the area of the summit when the mine was active |
Just beyond the tower is
the trig pillar which sits on a clear area of ground surrounded by heather and
mine debris. As Bryn remained by the
stone tower I scampered around three or four potential highpoints, all
relatively close to where the trig is positioned, I chose the one which I
thought to be the highest and positioned the Trimble on its makeshift tripod to
increase its height by 18cm so the copious amounts of heather would not
submerge it and obstruct any satellite signals.
Gathering data at the summit of Mynydd Parys |
Once five minutes of
data were collected I re-joined Bryn, on our way down we explored the northerly
part of the hill by taking a different route back to the car, the track weaved
through the mine spoil as it headed down toward the B5111 which skirts this
hill on its west.
The summit area of Mynydd Parys |
The walk had been a very
enjoyable hour spent before the true rigours of the day started with a shop in
Bangor Tescos!
LIDAR image of Mynydd Parys |
Since the Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey of this hill's summit was conducted, LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) has become available and this has revolutionised the accuracy for both height and position of hills, and it is LIDAR that is now being prioritised for this hill.
Survey Result:
Mynydd Parys
Summit Height: 148.1m (LIDAR)
Summit Grid Reference: SH 44268 90538 (LIDAR)
Bwlch Height: 78.9m (LIDAR)
Bwlch Grid Reference: SH 46045 90623 (LIDAR)
Drop: 69.1m (LIDAR)
Dominance: 46.69% (LIDAR)
Dominance: 46.69% (LIDAR)
For further details please
consult the Trimble survey spreadsheet click {here}
No comments:
Post a Comment