Monthly Synopsis

 

Synopsis of all major changes detailed on Mapping Mountains during the last calendar month.  These can include new, confirmation and retrospective changes

 

Hill Reclassifications: 

Jopplety How (NY 265 163) - Sub-Four addition

Graig yr Harris (SO 338 052) - 100m Sub-Twmpau reclassified to 100m Twmpau

Pt. 83.1m (SN 539 026) - Welsh Sub-P15 deletion

Pt. 426.8m (NY 272 143) - Sub-Four addition

Cae Mawr (SN 462 175) & Safle Claddu Nant y Caws (SN 468 174) - Dual Summit 100m Twmpau addition

Pt. 430.6m (NY 314 101) - Sub-Four addition

Close (SJ 094 090) - 100m Twmpau reclassified to 100m Sub-Twmpau

Pt. 32.8m (SN 531 017) - Welsh P15 deletion

Pt. 443.0m (NY 307 150) - Sub-Four addition

Pt. 906.2m (SH 619 551) - Welsh Highland Sub reinstatement

Cefn (SN 997 734 & SN 997 733) - Sub-Trichant addition

Cae Plu (SN 562 035) - Welsh Sub-P15 reclassified to Welsh P15

Belan Bank (SJ 318 157) - 30-99m Sub-Twmpau addition

Significant Height Revisions: 

Pt. 83.1m (SN 539 026) - The Welsh P15s

Summit Relocations: 

Pen y Ffridd (SJ 114 112) - 200m Twmpau

Cwm Fron (SN 966 808) - Y Trichant - The 300m Hills of Wales

Erw Hir (SJ 102 076) - 200m Twmpau

Cae Tŷ Cefn Ysgubor (SJ 111 080) - 200m Twmpau

Swinescar Pike (NY 314 070) - The Fours - The 400m Hills of England

Cefn (SN 997 734 & SN 997 733) - Y Trichant - The 300m Hills of Wales

Significant Name Changes: 

Ynys Ucha (SN 687 981) - 30-99m Twmpau

Cross Lane Piece (SJ 097 084) - 200m Twmpau

Upper Hill (SN 995 983) - Y Trichant - The 300m Hills of Wales

Coed Issa (SN 681 990) - 30-99m Twmpau

Crugyn (SN 993 755) - Y Trichant - The 300m Hills of Wales

Erw Hir (SJ 102 076) - 200m Twmpau

Top Maes Cefn (SN 689 994) - 30-99m Twmpau and Y Trechol - The Dominant Hills of Wales 

Close (SJ 094 090) - 100m Twmpau

Mapping Mountains – Hill Reclassifications – 30-99m Twmpau

 

Belan Bank (SJ 318 157) – 30-99m Sub-Twmpau addition 

There has been an addition to the list of 30-99m Twmpau, with the summit height, bwlch height and their locations, the drop and status of the hill derived from LIDAR analysis conducted by Myrddyn Phillips. 

LIDAR image of Belan Bank (SJ 318 157)

The criteria for the list that this addition applies to are:

30-99m Twmpau – Welsh hills at or above 30m and below 100m in height that have 30m minimum drop, with an accompanying sub list entitled the 30-99m Sub-Twmpau, with the criteria for this sub category being all Welsh hills at or above 30m and below 100m in height with 20m or more and below 30m of drop.  The list is authored by Myrddyn Phillips, with the word Twmpau being an acronym standing for thirty welsh metre prominences and upward. 

30-99m Twmpau by Myrddyn Phillips

The name the hill is listed by is Belan Bank, and this was derived from the Ordnance Survey series of Six-Inch maps and the Tithe map, it is adjoined to the Stiperstones group of hills, which are situated in the north-eastern part of South Wales (Region B, Sub-Region B2), and it is positioned with the Afon Hafren (River Severn) to its north and the B4393 road to its south, and has the small community of Crew Green towards the south-east.

When the original 30-99m height band of Welsh P30 hills were published on Geoff Crowder’s v-g.me website, this hill was not included in the Hills to be surveyed sub list, as it was considered not to meet the criteria then used for this sub category.

After the sub list was standardised, and interpolated heights and drop values also included this hill was still not listed, with its details subsequently documented as an estimated c 17m of drop, based on an estimated c 83m summit height and an estimated c 66m bwlch height, with both heights based on interpolation of 10m contouring. 

Extract from the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map

However, it was not until LIDAR became available that the details for this hill could be accurately re-assessed.  The LIDAR (Light Detection & Ranging) technique produced highly accurate height data that is now freely available for much of England and Wales.

Therefore, the addition of this hill to 30-99m Sub-Twmpau status is due to LIDAR analysis, resulting in an 82.7m summit height and a 60.9m bwlch height, with these values giving this hill 21.9m of drop, which is sufficient for it to be classified as a 30-99m Sub-Twmpau. 

 

The full details for the hill are: 

Group:  Stiperstones 

Name:  Belan Bank 

OS 1:50,000 map:  126

Summit Height:  82.7m (LIDAR) 

Summit Grid Reference:  SJ 31880 15779 (LIDAR)               

Bwlch Height:  60.9m (LIDAR) 

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SJ 32051 15734 (LIDAR) 

Drop:  21.9m (LIDAR) 

 

Myrddyn Phillips (January 2025)

  

Mapping Mountains – Summit Relocations – Y Trichant – The 300m Hills of Wales

Cefn (SN 997 734 & SN 997 733) 

There has been a Summit Relocation to a hill that is listed in the Y Trichant – The 300m Hills of Wales, with the summit height, bwlch height and their locations, the drop and status of the hill derived from LIDAR analysis conducted by Myrddyn Phillips. 

LIDAR image of Cefn (SN 997 734 and SN 997 733)

The criteria for the list that this summit relocation applies to:

Y Trichant – The 300m Hills of Wales – Welsh hills at or above 300m and below 400m in height that have 30m minimum drop, with an accompanying sub list entitled the Sub-Trichant, with the criteria for this sub category being all Welsh hills at or above 300m and below 400m in height with 20m or more and below 30m of drop.  The list is authored by Myrddyn Phillips with the Introduction to the list and the renaming of it appearing on Mapping Mountains on the 13^th May 2017, and the Introduction to the Mapping Mountains publication of the list appearing on the 1^st January 2022. 

Y Trichant - The 300m Hills of Wales by Myrddyn Phillips

The name the hill is now listed by is Cefn, and this was derived from the Tithe map, and it is adjoined to the Hirddywel group of hills, which are situated in the northern part of South Wales (Region B, Sub-Region B2), and it is positioned with minor roads to its north-west and south, and the B4518 road to its west, and has the village of Llanarmon (St Harmon) towards the south-west.

When the original 300m height band of Welsh P30 hills were published on Geoff Crowder’s v-g.me website, this hill was not included in the accompanying Hills to be surveyed sub list, as it was considered not to meet the criteria then used for this sub category.

After the sub list was standardised, and interpolated heights and drop values also included the details for this hill were re-evaluated and it was listed under the point (Pt. 372m) notation with 28m of drop, based on the 372m summit spot height and the 344m bwlch spot height that appear on the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map. 

Extract from the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map

However, it was not until LIDAR became available that the details for this hill could be accurately re-assessed.  The LIDAR (Light Detection & Ranging) technique produced highly accurate height data that is now freely available for much of England and Wales.

LIDAR analysis gives the highest ground on this hill as 371.6m positioned at SN 99749 73389 and SN 99749 73392.  However, this is a part of a raised field boundary and protocols dictate that as this is deemed a relatively recent man-made construct such ground is discounted from the height of a hill. 

LIDAR summit image of Cefn (SN 997 734 and SN 997 733)

The height produced by LIDAR analysis to the natural summit of this hill is 371.4m positioned at SN 99758 73405 and SN 99757 73402 and SN 99757 73398, and this position in relation to the raised field boundary comes within the parameters of the Summit Relocations used within this page heading, these parameters are:

The term Summit Relocations applies when the high point of the hill is found to be positioned; in a different field, to a different feature such as in a conifer plantation,  within a different map contour either on Ordnance Survey maps or interactive mapping, to a different point where a number of potential summit positions are within close proximity, when natural ground or the natural and intact summit of a hill is confirmed compared to a higher point such as a raised field boundary or covered reservoir that is considered a relatively recent man-made construct, or a relocation of approximately 100 metres or more in distance from either the position of a map spot height or from where the summit of the hill was previously thought to exist.

Therefore, the summit height produced by LIDAR analysis is 371.4m and this is positioned at SN 99758 73405 and SN 99757 73402 and SN 99757 73398, this is approximately 24 metres north-eastward from where the 372m spot height appears on the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map, and is approximately 18 metres north-eastward from where the high point of the raised field boundary is positioned. 

 

The full details for the hill are:

Group:  Hirddywel 

Name:  Cefn 

OS 1:50,000 map:  136, 147

Summit Height:  371.4m (LIDAR)                                                          

Summit Grid Reference (New Position):  SN 99758 73405 & SN 99757 73402 & SN 99757 73398 (LIDAR) 

Bwlch Height:  344.3m (LIDAR) 

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SO 00094 73404 (LIDAR) 

Drop:  27.2m (LIDAR) 

 

Myrddyn Phillips (January 2025)

  

The Welsh P15s

 

The Welsh P15s 

All Welsh hills with 15m minimum prominence 

 

The compilation of The Welsh P15s was completed in May 2019 and introduced via articles published on Mapping Mountains and the UKHillwalking website.

The criterion for The Welsh P15s is all Welsh hills that have 15m minimum drop, irrespective of their height.  With an accompanying sub list taking in all Welsh hills that have 14m or more and below 15m of drop.

When the list was completed there were 5,431 P15 hills with 435 P14 subs.

In May 2021 the Mynydd Twr group of hills were published, with their numerical details then taking in all available LIDAR and their place-name information checked against current and historical Ordnance Survey mapping and the Tithe map.

When the Google Doc list available to download on Mapping Mountains was published in May 2021, it was announced in an introductory article that hills would appear on an ad hoc basis, with the occasional complete group of hills published when the appropriate numerical and place-name details were checked against available sources.

As of January 2025 hills are now appearing in this list on an ad hoc basis, with the Stiperstones group of Welsh P15s planned to be published in their entirety in February 2025.

 

Mapping Mountains downloadable list in Google Doc format

 

Myrddyn Phillips (January 2025)   

 

 

Mapping Mountains – Summit Relocations – The Fours – The 400m Hills of England

Swinescar Pike (NY 314 070) 

There has been a Summit Relocation to a hill listed in the The Fours – The 400m Hills of England, with the summit height, col height and their locations, the drop and status of the hill derived from LIDAR analysis conducted by Myrddyn Phillips. 

LIDAR image of Swinescar Pike (NY 314 070)

The criteria for the list that this summit relocation applies to are:

The Fours – The 400m Hills of England - English hills at or above 400m and below 500m in height that have 30m minimum drop, accompanying the main list is a sub list entitled the Sub-Fours, the criteria for which are all English hills at or above 400m and below 500m in height that have 15m or more and below 30m of drop.  The list is co-authored by Myrddyn Phillips and Aled Williams and is available to download in Google Doc format from the Mapping Mountains site.

The Fours - The 400m Hills of England by Myrddyn Phillips and Aled Williams

The name the hill is listed by is Swinescar Pike, and it is adjoined to the High Raise group of hills, which are situated in the English Lake District, and it is positioned with the B5343 road to its south-west and the A591 road to its east, and has the village of Grasmere towards the east.

When the Introduction to the first group of hills for the updated and revised listing of the The Fours – The 400m Hills of England was published by Mapping Mountains on the 10^th September 2022, it was announced that the accompanying sub lists were being revised with the two 390m categories dispensed with and the criteria and name of the 400m Sub-Fours revised.  The one accompanying sub list is now named the Sub-Fours with its criteria being all English hills 400m and above and below 500m in height that have 15m and more and below 30m of drop.

Prior to this revision this hill was listed with an estimated c 15m of drop, based on an estimated c 411m summit height positioned at NY 31360 07174 and an estimated c 396m col height, with both heights based on interpolation of 10m contouring that appears on the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map. 

Extract from the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map

However, it was not until LIDAR became available that the details for this hill could be accurately re-assessed.  The LIDAR (Light Detection & Ranging) technique produced highly accurate height data that is now freely available for much of England and Wales. 

LIDAR summit image of Swinescar Pike (NY 314 070)

LIDAR analysis gives the highest ground on this hill as 410.4m positioned at NY 31486 07005, and when compared to its originally listed summit position this comes within the parameters of the Summit Relocations used within this page heading, these parameters are:

The term Summit Relocations applies to when the high point is positioned in a different field, to a different feature such as a conifer plantation, within a different map contour, a different point where a number of potential summit positions are within close proximity, when natural ground or the natural and intact summit is confirmed compared to a higher point such as a raised field boundary or covered reservoir that is considered a relatively recent man-made construct, or a relocation of approximately 100 metres or more in distance from either the position of a map spot height or from where the summit of the hill was previously thought to exist.

Therefore, the summit height produced by LIDAR analysis is 410.4m and this is positioned at NY 31486 07005.  This position is not given a spot height on the contemporary Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 Landranger and 1:25,000 Explorer map and is approximately 170 metres south-eastward from where the originally listed summit is positioned.

 

The full details for the hill are:

Group:  High Raise

Name:  Swinescar Pike

OS 1:50,000 map:  90

Summit Height:  410.4m (LIDAR)

Summit Grid Reference (New Position):  NY 31486 07005 (LIDAR)

Col Height:  390.4m (LIDAR)

Col Grid Reference:  NY 31215 07233 (LIDAR)

Drop:  20.0m (LIDAR)

 

Myrddyn Phillips and Aled Williams (January 2025)

 

  

Mapping Mountains – Summit Relocations – 200m Twmpau

 

Cae Tŷ Cefn Ysgubor (SJ 111 080) 

There has been a Summit Relocation to a hill that is listed in the 200m Twmpau, with the summit height, bwlch height and their locations, the drop and status of the hill derived from LIDAR analysis conducted by Myrddyn Phillips. 

LIDAR image of Cae Tŷ Cefn Ysgubor (S 111 080)

The criteria for the list that this summit relocation applies to are:

200m Twmpau – Welsh hills at or above 200m and below 300m in height that have 30m minimum drop, with an accompanying sub list entitled the 200m Sub-Twmpau, with the criteria for this sub category being all Welsh hills at or above 200m and below 300m in height with 20m or more and below 30m of drop.  The list is authored by Myrddyn Phillips, with the word Twmpau being an acronym standing for thirty welsh metre prominences and upward. 

200m Twmpau by Myrddyn Phillips

The name the hill is now listed by is Cae Tŷ Cefn Ysgubor, and this was derived from the Tithe map, and it is adjoined to the Esgeiriau Gwynion group of hills, which are situated in the southern part of North Wales (Region A, Sub-Region A3), and it is positioned with the B4382 road to its north, the A495 road to its north-west and the A458 road to its south, and has the town of Llanfair Caereinion towards the south-west.

When the original 200m height band of Welsh P30 hills were published on Geoff Crowder’s v-g.me website, this hill was included in the main P30 list with a 233m summit height, based on the spot height that appears on the contemporary Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map.

After the accompanying sub list was standardised, and interpolated heights and drop values also included the details for this hill were re-evaluated and it was listed with 36m of drop, based on the 233m summit spot height positioned at SJ 11187 08043 and the 197m bwlch spot height that appeared on the Ordnance Survey Vector Map Local hosted on the Geograph website and which was entitled the Interactive Coverage Map.  The drop value of this hill has subsequently increased due to a bwlch swap with Erw Hir (SJ 102 076). 

Extract from the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map

However, it was not until LIDAR became available that the details for this hill could be accurately re-assessed.  The LIDAR (Light Detection & Ranging) technique produced highly accurate height data that is now freely available for much of England and Wales.

LIDAR analysis gives the highest ground on this hill as 235.7m positioned at SJ 11202 08044.  However, this is to the top of a covered reservoir and protocols dictate that as this is deemed a relatively recent man-made construct such ground is discounted from the height of a hill. 

LIDAR summit image of Cae Tŷ Cefn Ysgubor (SJ 111 080)

The height produced by LIDAR analysis to the natural summit of this hill is 233.0m and this is positioned at SJ 11158 08048 and SJ 11173 08045, and this comes within the parameters of the Summit Relocations used within this page heading, these parameters are:

The term Summit Relocations applies when the high point of the hill is found to be positioned; in a different field, to a different feature such as in a conifer plantation,  within a different map contour either on Ordnance Survey maps or interactive mapping, to a different point where a number of potential summit positions are within close proximity, when natural ground or the natural and intact summit of a hill is confirmed compared to a higher point such as a raised field boundary or covered reservoir that is considered a relatively recent man-made construct, or a relocation of approximately 100 metres or more in distance from either the position of a map spot height or from where the summit of the hill was previously thought to exist.

Therefore, the summit height produced by LIDAR analysis is 233.0m and this is positioned at SJ 11158 08048 and SJ 11173 08045, and this position is approximately 44 metres westward from the high point of the covered reservoir. 

 

The full details for the hill are: 

Group:  Esgeiriau Gwynion 

Name:  Cae Tŷ Cefn Ysgubor 

OS 1:50,000 map:  125

Summit Height:  233.0m (LIDAR) 

Summit Grid Reference (New Position):  SJ 11158 08048 & SJ 11173 08045 (LIDAR) 

Bwlch Height:  160.2m (LIDAR) 

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SJ 09294 08676 & SJ 09295 08677 (LIDAR) 

Drop:  72.7m (LIDAR) 

 

Myrddyn Phillips (January 2025)