Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Mynydd Sylen

01.08.18  Mynydd Sylen (SN 515 080)

Mynydd Sylen (SN 515 080)

Mynydd Sylen was the second of what was hoped to be six hills for the day, each using the most convenient access which for many proved no more than a few minutes stroll to their high point, and this hill did not prove otherwise.

My bagging accomplice for the day; Suzanne, navigated us from the high minor road that crosses Mynydd Penlle’rcastell (SN 664 094), down through the Rhydaman (Ammanford) road network toward the outskirts of Llan-non, and onward up a minor road to the small community of Sylen, where the northern branch at a cross roads led to the access gate to the large masts positioned near this hill’s summit.

The shower clouds from earlier in the morning had now been replaced with beautiful blue skies and summer warmth that followed us up the field adjacent to the access track leading toward the masts.

Although the weather was welcoming the hill felt neglected and despoiled, partly as fly tipping had taken place beside the access gate leading to the masts, but the presence of these large constructions had also taken a part of the hill’s atmospheric quality.  Added to this is the fact that the summit does not stand out even with a trig pillar positioned on it, as the ground surrounding it is relatively flat, therefore we took a number of minutes to decide where the highest natural ground was situated, once agreed the Trimble was positioned on it and I pressed ‘Log’ and we stood back waiting for the allotted data to be gathered and stored.

Gathering data at the summit of Mynydd Sylen (SN 515 080)

The Trimble set-up position at the summit of Mynydd Sylen

During this a small herd of inquisitive cows in an adjacent field all walked our way, standing back from the perimeter fence they looked on as we looked back at them.  They only headed off when we approached the fence, their browns and blacks adding colour contrast to the greened scene looking back toward the wind turbines near the summit of Mynydd Penlle’rcastell.

The small herd of inquisitive cows

Once the allotted data were gathered and stored I closed the Trimble down, packed it away and we headed the short distance back to my car.  Before continuing west toward our third hill of the day; Mynydd Llangyndeyrn (SN 482 132) I drove the short distance on the minor road to the top of another track which gave us extensive views east, and we sat chatting in the car and enjoying a picnic prepared by my bagging accomplice.

Survey Result:

Mynydd Sylen

Summit Height:  283.5m (converted to OSGM15, Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Summit Grid Reference:  SN 51528 08004 (Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Bwlch Height:  69.2m (LIDAR)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SN 61836 18085 (LIDAR)

Drop:  214.3m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

Dominance:  75.60% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet