Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Carnedd Wen

 

25.01.21  Y Golfa (SJ 182 070, previously Trimbled)

Y Golfa (SJ 182 070)

Snow enhances landscape.  It brings an otherworldly experience to the hills, accentuating thawed colour and bringing a delicate and subtly shaded feel to the expanse of land.  One of its magical qualities is that living in a temperate country it disappears all too soon, with the next milder westerly front thawing and melting.  Its temporary form only makes it more special.  When it’s here it really should be enjoyed. 

Today I was out with Linda; we met outside the Raven pub and had options for our ascent route, with Pen y Foel a possibility to tag on after visiting the summit of Y Golfa.  This and Yr Allt are proving a god send during the lock down restrictions, both give excellent walks and can be visited from my door step, with Y Golfa also giving a 360° panorama and today this consisted of a snow-clad landscape and with blue skies above it promised to be a good day on the hill. 

Making our way up the Cefnyspin Lane

We opted to follow the Cefnyspin Lane out of Welshpool, this gains height on a rough track before joining its paved section.  As height was gained the snow-clad landscape opened up with the extended and broad upper ridge of Cefn Digoll looking out across the Afon Hafren and the flatlands beyond.  Fields took on an ephemeral feel coated in whiteness, with their scattering of sheep chewing on dropped hay bales whilst endeavouring to find patches of succulent green grass. 

Little to graze on today with the extended ridge of Cefn Digoll in the background

We soon emerged on to the Frochas Lane which follows the ridge crest adjacent to, and parallel with the ridge of Y Golfa.  This hill dominated the view, rising above the intervening stream valley it was cloaked in bracken and winter whiteness. 

On the Frochas Lane

We continued on the lane past the summit of Frochas Hill, away in the distance the Breiddin floated above the Shropshire Plain.  These hills always amaze, they seem misplaced against the flatness of the river valley, great up thrusts standing out when viewed from all near hills. 

We left the Frochas Lane near its high point and followed the course of a public footpath over a whitened field toward the summit of our hill.  I’d visited this hill with Linda a few weeks ago, reversing today’s route and using Lower Llanerchydol as a descent route instead of today’s Cefnyspin Lane.  On our previous visit greyed winter skies added depth to the beautiful winter colour, but then there was no snow.  Today, it was so different.  Ahead were whitened slopes, and above a beautiful blue sky. 

Heading toward the hill

A land bridge crossing a brook followed by a near gate gave access to the upper hill, with steepening paths leading toward the summit.  These were shaded against the brightened land where winter sun cast out and created colour.  It was all rather magical. 

Approaching the glacier!

Cefn Digoll

Heading up

The upper part of the hill consisted of a large snow field, as Linda captured the scene on her phone I slowly headed up only turning when I heard a ‘whhheeeee a snow angel’, she was lying in the snow circling her arms and legs looking like a minute dot in a whitened scene that went on for miles around. 

Across the snow field

It was only a short walk beyond the snow field to the triangulation pillar that marks the summit of Y Golfa.  The view was stunning.  A westerly cloud bank edged inland that in time would obliterate the blue sky, but for now it gave a silvered sheen toward where the sun was forever sinking lower in the western horizon. 

The trig atop the summit of Y Golfa

It was now decision time, should we plough on and head toward Pen y Foel, or leisurely head down the easterly ridge of Y Golfa toward Welshpool.  We opted for the latter and soon found a spot to sit in the sun for a bite to eat. 

Winter light on Pen y Foel

From here we continued down the ridge joining the paved road that heads to Llanerchydol Hall.  It was a leisurely descent with lots of chats and laughs.  When we got back to the Raven it was a shame the walk had ended and with those westerly fronts forecast in two days’ time, the magical snow will all too soon disappear.  This though, is part of its appeal.  Enjoy it when here! 

 

Survey Result: 

 

Y Golfa

Summit Height:  341.4m (converted to OSGM15, from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey) 

Summit Grid Reference:  SJ 18247 07086 (from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey) 

Bwlch Height:  175.1m (LIDAR)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SJ 16645 06017 (LIDAR)

Drop:  166.3m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

Dominance:  48.72% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

 

 

For details on the survey of YGolfa

For details on the 2^nd visit to Y Golfa

For details on the 3^rd visit to Y Golfa

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet