Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Kinder Scout

 

08.07.25  Mount Famine (SK 056 849) and South Head (SK 061 845) 

South Head (SK 061 845)

Another day in the Peak District in the company of Mark Trengove and John Kirk; we had picked another good day, as the weather was set fine with warm conditions only predicted to get hotter later in the week.  The blue skies and slight breeze gave a welcoming feel to the land with the hills being in friendly mode where views could be savoured and surveying proved a joy.  Sometimes the latter can be a battle, especially so in high wind.

The hills for the day had been suggested by Mark, and as these were local to where John lived fourty odd years ago we left it up to our local guide to pick the best/easiest route up.  Our first two hills can be easily combined with parking just off of the A624 road as it sweeps south from Glossop toward Chapel-en-le-Frith.  If memory serves me right, the place where we parked was also used when we surveyed Chinley Churn many years ago. 

Chinley Churn (SK 036 843)

To access the hill we had a couple of minutes walk on the grass verge beside the busy road before taking a track heading eastward past a small disused quarry, this reached a t-junction, where a right hand branch continued up the hill.  As with most walks nowadays I try to get a head start with the knowledge that my companions will no doubt catch me up and in all probability pass me by as height is gained, and today it was on the next section of track where first Mark, closely followed by John sauntered past me.  However, none of us were in a rush and the conditions were to be savoured with blue sky, relatively good visibility with little heat haze and welcoming warmth giving proceedings a distinct Mediterranean feel. 

Being caught up

We soon encountered the first of a series of small groups of young people carrying back-packs walking in the opposite direction, with two instructors saying their hello’s as we passed. 

And being passed

A little higher we left the track and headed left following the course of a fence as it confidently strode up the southern flank of Mount Famine toward its high point.  We did likewise, with a few stops en route to admire the view across to South Head which rose to our south-east in an ever increasing steepening profile. 

John heading for the summit

We were soon on the summit and between us decided that ground a couple of metres from the ridge fence was the highest point.  As the grass was cropped it enabled me to place the Trimble on the ground with its internal antenna aligned with the high point of the hill.  Once the equipment was set up it quietly beeped away gathering data as John and Mark lazily enjoyed the sunshine a few metres below the summit.  During which I scribbled all necessary information in my surveying note book.  Once data were gathered and stored, I closed the equipment down, took a few photos and joined my companions for a brief moment relaxing in the sun. 

The summit of Mount Famine

Gathering data at the summit of Mount Famine

The Trimble set-up position at the summit of Mount Famine

Once we started getting our kit together to head toward our next hill I quickly donned my rucksack and steadily headed down, again giving myself a few minutes start on Mark and John.  The ascent from the connecting col steepens the higher you go.  I only stopped once, near the top, to look back on Mount Famine and take a few photographs. 

Looking back toward Mount Famine as John and Mark follow

I arrived on top just before Mark and John, with Mark pointing out that my already chosen position for Trimble placement should be another point on the periphery of the summit cairn.  He was right and I soon had it re-positioned and set up gathering data. 

Nearing the summit of South Head

Once the Trimble had done its stuff, I packed it away and we headed down the hill’s eastern flank, connecting up with the track as it crests the col between South Head and the higher Brown Knoll to the east.  

Gathering data at the summit of South Head

From here we headed west on the track and reversed our inward route.  As we did so the planes overhead continued their slow slumbering flight toward Manchester airport.  Like great shiny metallic monsters they seemingly glided their way north-west with slow moving shadows gently skimming across the land.  These continued all day during the two walks we did; a never ending influx of travelers flying from their sun drenched holidays and arriving home to a sun drenched Britain. 

 

Survey Result: 

 

Mount Famine 

Summit Height:  471.8m (converted to OSGM15, Trimble GeoXH 6000)  

Summit Grid Reference:  SK 05626 84928 (Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Col Height:  430.2m (LIDAR)

Col Grid Reference:  SK 05776 84643 (LIDAR) 

Drop:  41.6m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR col)

Dominance:  8.82% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR col)

 

 

South Head 

Summit Height:  493.3m (converted to OSGM15, Trimble GeoXH 6000)  

Summit Grid Reference:  SK 06100 84551 (Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Col Height:  456.0m (LIDAR)

Col Grid Reference:  SK 06240 84606 (LIDAR) 

Drop:  37.3m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR col)

Dominance:  7.57% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR col)

 

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet