Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Drygarn Fawr

 

27.11.22  Pt. 357.3m (SN 995 612) 

November days are to be treasured.  The first frosts linger in chilled mornings with mist enshrouded valleys heralding the near onset of winter.  But November days also give dulled grey skies with misted hill tops.  Usually the latter have hardly a breath of breeze adding a quiet tranquillity to an otherwise dulled scene.  It was such a day today, with the land quiet and autumnal colour still clinging on. 

A grey November day

A walk was planned, more a meeting of good friends with a small hill as accompaniment.  We had an added bonus to find, but this post will concentrate on the hill, which although only having a small amount of prominence gave a good ascent when approaching from its south-east.

I was out with Darrin and Lisa, and Eryl and Rita; as it was Lisa’s birthday celebratory nibbles were also had during the walk.  We met in Trefeglwys before continuing to Llanidloes and then driving southward toward Newbridge on Wye, followed by the minor roads leading to our designated parking spot. 

Heading eastward toward the old house

Although the skies were leaden and dull looking as if they were going to be awash with rain, the forecast gave for dry and brightening conditions.  Even though we were in no rush, the walk only took two hours; leaving the cars for a leisurely stroll across a steep field heading eastward.  This would take us on a circuitous route around the upper part of our small prominence hill before striking upward toward its summit.

Prior to visiting this hill I had examined its numerical data via LIDAR.  Therefore, although tempted to bring the Trimble to at least take a summit data set, I decided to leave this at home and be reliant upon the highly accurate LIDAR summit and bwlch data for its height and position. 

LIDAR image of Pt. 357.3m (SN 995 612)

We had two stops before the summit, one at an old house and the other sitting on rocks in the adjacent field to the summit for chats and nibbles.  Before joining the group at this latter spot I sauntered over to a small pool that was probably only there because of recent rain.  From here I spent a number of minutes admiring the reflection of old trees in the water whilst my friends opened the nibbles. 

Reflected view before celebratory nibbles

After our stop it was only a short distance to the summit, with increasingly good views in all directions, with the bulk of Drum Ddu ahead and the river valley below.  Between the two were moorland ridges and more hills.  It felt good to be out. 

Heading toward the summit of the low prominence hill

Leaving the summit we made our way down to the minor road and from here it was only a short walk back to the cars, with two highly enjoyably leisurely hours on the hill, an excellent way to spend a day. 

 

Survey Result:

 

Pt. 357.3m

Summit Height:  357.3m (LIDAR)

Summit Grid Reference:  SN 99517 61281 (LIDAR)

Bwlch Height:  342.9m (LIDAR)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SN 99418 61379 LIDAR)

Drop:  14.4m (LIDAR) (Welsh P15 reclassified to Welsh Sub-P15)

Dominance:  4.02% (LIDAR)

 

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet