Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Pembrokeshire Islands

24.07.16  Green Scar (SM 796 226)    

Green Scar (SM 796 226)

Another island adventure organised by Adrian Rayner off the Pembrokeshire coast in the capable hands of Venture Jet, we met just before 9.00am at St Justinian’s which is situated west of St David’s and is the departure point for boats visiting Ynys Dewi (Ramsey) and where the RNLI Lifeboat Station is situated.  The weather was not ideal with coastal drizzle and grey murk predominating, however it was good enough to set off and with three islands scheduled to visit we skimmed across the water toward the first; Emsger (South Bishop).

Leaving St Justinian's aboard the Venture Jet RIB with (L-R) Tony, Alex, Adrian, George and Alan

I’d visited Emsger (South Bishop) once before in mid-May of this year when the sea was calmer and the blue sky and sun gave us a window of opportunity for an unrushed visit.  Today as the RIB headed off in to the bleakness and the lighthouse atop the island came in to view the waves chopped against the steep lower rock of the island and the swell did not look inviting.

As we neared the landing place the RIB was maneuvered in to place and three people stood up; Alex, Doug and Tony, with Alan and George deciding to sit this one out as the landing looked a little unwelcome due to the swell.  Also on board were Adrian, Rob, Jon and myself and as we’d all visited the island in May we also decided to remain on board.

As the boat neared the landing place and instruction given for Alex, Doug and Tony to each in turn make the step ashore, the boat reared up as the swell hit the island, all three made it and the RIB was then positioned away from the rock and remained relatively sheltered from the waves hitting the west of the island.

We couldn’t linger as there were another two islands to attempt a landing on, and so within a few minutes of being dropped off Alex, Doug and Tony were back down waiting to be plucked off the rock and make the step from solid ground back on to the RIB.  The RIB was again maneuvered in to place as the swell reared up necessitating  it to back off and try again, this happened a few times before instruction was given to come aboard.  As Alex made the step from relatively dry land toward the RIB the swell took the boat away from the landing spot and although Alex made it safely on board, he only just did so.  This proved a foreteller of what was to happen next as the RIB again approached the rock and Doug waited, as he made his move the swell took the RIB away from the rock and Doug stepped out in to thin air and disappeared in to the sea.

As it was raining I was protecting my camera and didn’t turn round to see where Doug was, but he was definitely sea bound.  I sat and hoped that he was OK.  The RIB was quickly driven away from the rock protecting Doug from being squashed between both and turned round to be beside him, the life jacket worked perfectly and had inflated on impact.  Within a minute or so Doug had been brought on board and he quickly stripped off two outer layers and put on a dry fleece and outer water proof jacket that were stored on board.  Thankfully he was all right, dampened by the experience we continued east toward our next island; Green Scar.

Doug after his dunking back on board and in dry clothes

Green Scar lies off the southern coast of St Brides Bay and is adjacent to the harbour feeding south from the small community of Solfach (Solva).  Today it was a forlorn place, devoid of sunshine it reared up out of a grey landscape where sky and sea met.

We were brought around to the eastern part of the island seeking shelter from the westerly bash of sea upon rock.  The island was another impressive bastion of lower rock crowned by greenery with a multitude of Gannets circling overhead, and the occasional Cormorant resting on the rock.

The eastern part of Green Scar

There weren’t many places to land safely but eventually a spot was singled out that was relatively sheltered and where the rock would not bottom out the RIB when nestled against it for our landing.  The main problem was our onward route beyond the landing spot as there wasn’t much to cling on to when dropped off, but soon Jon and Rob were on the island and finding hand and foot holds and by the time I joined them they were above the main difficulty and on slanting rock which gave relatively safe passage toward the summit of the island.

Much of the ascent required a steadying hand on rock, and these were covered in bird goo, as indeed was much of the island, it seemed to ooze out of every crevice and added some unwelcome interest to the ascent.  The high pint has the remains of a small cairn on it and soon the Trimble was positioned in place gathering its customary five minutes of data.

Gathering data from the summit of Green Scar

During Trimbling time the others investigated the westerly arm of the island which was connected to its higher easterly bulk by what looked like a slender land bridge.  As they neared its high point the last of the 300 data points were stored and I switched the equipment off. 

Looking toward the westerly point of the island

Although the ground beyond the westerly arm looked easier for us to get back on to the RIB, the others slowly made their way back across the slender land bridge and we descended through the bird goo to the waiting RIB.  The slither down the final rock and the last landlocked point where just one foot was resting before that final step out in to the void wasn’t as bad as I had expected and we all made it safely on board.

Only Gewni remained to visit, this is a tidal island to the north of Green Scar and Rob and a few others had previously investigated its connection to the mainland and thought it precarious.  By the time we arrived beside the island and investigated the landing opportunities the grey conditions pervaded all around, we remained on this side of the island and went back and forth looking for a safe place to land but it was decided that the day’s conditions weren’t conducive and the island and its summit would have to wait for another day.

Gewni (SM 797 236)

To the right of the arch is where Gewni is connected to the mainland at low tide

Going through the arch

Therefore we skimmed back to St Justinian’s with two out of three islands visited, one person a little wetter than planned and another part of this beautiful coastline investigated.

(L-R) Tony, Alex, Adrian, George, Alan, the skipper, Jon, Doug and Rob

 

Survey Result:

Green Scar 

Summit Height:  36.5m (converted to OSGM15)

Summit Grid Reference:  SM 79641 22648

Bwlch Height:  N/A

Bwlch Grid Reference:  N/A

Drop:  36.5m (converted to OSGM15)

Dominance:  100.00%

For further details please consult the Trimble survey spreadsheet.

Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Mynydd Twr

13.09.15  Ynysoedd y Moelrhoniaid (SH 267 947) and Ynys Arw (SH 266 945)   

Ynysoedd y Moelrhoniaid (SH 267 947)

The islets of Ynysoedd y Moelrhoniaid lie like a rough pearled necklace, wave battered 3 kilometres (1.9 miles) off the north-west coast of Ynys Môn.  They form a compact archipelago oriented north-east to south-west and stare back on their much larger island neighbour.  Perched on their highest point is The Skerries Lighthouse, with the word Skerry deriving from the Old Norse ‘sker,’ which means a small rocky reef or island, with the Welsh name for the islands translating as ‘the islands of Bald-headed Grey Seals’.

Our visit to these islands was organised by Adrian Rayner via Rib Ride, who are based in Holyhead and run a variety of trips around the north-west coast of Ynys Môn.  We met at Holyhead Marina and congregated in the café and waited for Adrian’s arrival.  There were 12 booked for this trip; George Morl, Alan Holmes, Alex Cameron, Douglas Law, Bob Kerr, Sarah Kerr, Tony Jenkins, Rob Woodall, Sheila Glew, John Glew, Adrian Rayner and me, also with us was Gordon Adshead who had come to see us off.

(L-R) Alex, Gordon, Adrian, John, Sheila, George, Tony, Alan, Sarah, Bob, Doug, Charles (skipper) and Rob

Charles; our skipper for the day

Once the formalities had been conducted beside the RIB we climbed aboard for a rather luxuriant passage out to sea.  The RIB used for this trip was once owned by Bear Grylls and his name and image is still used in Rib Ride’s promotional material.  The RIB was rather plush with a central cabin which had fold out canopied sides to use when the weather was rough, and an option for seated or standing position behind the controls and which was protected by a Perspex screen.  Behind this was a seat long enough for five people and in front was seating for five or six people.

At the front of the RIB

And at the back of the RIB.  Photo: RibRide

The forecast for the afternoon was good, and we had been lucky as no more than two days prior to today it was predicted that rain was going to envelop this part of the country for the whole afternoon.  As we pulled out from Holyhead the sky cast out colour and the sea was becalmed.  Beyond the harbour breakwater there was a light swell as we proceeded across the straight between Ynys Môn and Ynysoedd y Moelrhoniaid, but conditions proved relatively calm.

It’s a wonderful experience nearing an island, watching as it forever gets larger on the horizon, and today it was the islands Lighthouse that dominated the view as it stood firmly in place attached on the highest part of the archipelago with its white coloured exterior set against the backdrop of a sun drenched grey sky. 

The Skerries Lighthouse

The RIB slowly rounded the western side of the islands and was manoeuvred into the small bay below the Lighthouse.  This entrance was magical as we were suddenly transported in to a different world full of lazy seals whooping their guttural calls and an assortment of small, delightful islets, all ready for us to explore.

Seals relaxing in the afternoon sun

Once the RIB had been secured onto the iron barred ladder leading vertically up the sides of rock we clambered up and started our exploration of the islands.  It seems that there is a need to head toward the high point of any hill or island and today was no exception.  The path leading up to the Lighthouse led through a beautiful array of white daisies, all looking up with their colour mixed in their green rooted grass, set against the white of the Lighthouse they resembled a mountain meadow in spring.

Bob, followed by Alan, climbing up the ladder onto the island

Bob and Sarah with The Skerries Lighthouse in the background

The carpet of flowers

As I walked around the Lighthhouse the ground dropped steeply away to the east and the coastline of Ynys Môn gleamed back in its hazy afternoon light.  There were two potential summit points, one on the southern side of the Lighthouse and the other on the western side.  There was consensus between myself, Alan and one or two others that the highest point was on the southern side, this high point consisted of a rock that was positioned just under the base of the walkway which encircled much of the eastern and southern side of the Lighthouse, however the highest rock was pinned in with buildings either side of it, this had potential to disrupt satellite coverage, and as I set the Trimble up with its internal antenna aligned to the high point of what remains of the natural rock I thought it would take a long time for the 0.1m accuracy level to be attained before logging should start.  Remarkably this accuracy level was attained within a couple of minutes and I quickly pressed ‘Log’ and hid behind a rock, we’ll have to see what the processed data is like and whether the data set is good or has been compromised by the position of the Trimble.

Gathering data at the summit of Ynysoedd y Moelrhoniaid

Charles and Alan look on with the Trimble positioned on the highest natural rock that still exists on Ynysoedd y Moelrhoniaid

Once summit data were collected I headed to the western side of the Lighthouse wanting to gather another five minute data set from the other potential summit position, this was straight under the side of the Lighthouse and after waiting ten minutes the accuracy level was only down to 0.19m, and whilst waiting I looked out on everyone exploring the other islets, so I decided to switch the Trimble off and start doing likewise.

The Trimble positioned on the high point on the western side of the Lighthouse

The highest islet where the Lighthouse is situated has another islet to its south-west named Ynys Arw; this has two main high points, with the southerly of these being the highest.  There were already a number of people scampering all over these high points and I headed over to join them.  This south-westerly islet is cut off from the others at high tide but the pebbles and seaweed of relatively dry land had been exposed as low tide enabled us to visit farther afield from the main islet.

Sarah, Alex and Rob (on left of photo) on the adjacent high point to the Lighthouse with the summit of Ynys Arw on the right of photo

Alex and Rob heading over to Ynys Arw

Sarah below the Lighthouse, with its lower rocks on the right of this photo

John helped me find the scramble down a rock shelf onto the connecting land between the islets and I soon joined Adrian, Rob and Alex on the high point.  Adrian and Alex soon headed off and I remained with Rob for a few minutes talking about the Welsh Remotest list and Alan’s Sibs list, with the furthest northerly island which is named Ynys Berchen, being listed within each as a Pellennig and a Sub-Sib, Rob asked the criteria for the Pellennig list and wondered whether the small islet we were on would meet the minimum drop of 15m.  As he headed off toward the northerly Pellennig / Sub-Sib I set the Trimble up and gathered another five minutes of data from the high point of the southerly islet.

Alex scrambling back up the rock on his way past the Lighthouse toward Ynys Berchen

The Skerries Lighthouse from the summit of Ynys Arw

Ynysoedd y Moelrhoniaid bathed in sunshine

The northerly island of Ynys Berchen which is listed as a Pellennig and Sub-Sib

As the Trimble did its stuff I happily stared out on this stunningly beautiful place, content to be on my own soaking up its ambience.  By this time a few people were gathering, waiting to descend toward the RIB, and once the five minutes of allotted data were collected, I took a few photos with the Lighthouse shining white as a slight breeze blew in from the sea.

Gathering data from the summit of Ynys Arw

As I slowly made my way down the wet rock back onto the connecting pebbled and sea weeded land I wondered if I could make it to Ynys Berchen, but after scrambling back up the small rock shelf toward the Lighthouse I peered out and saw four small figures just turning their backs on the summit of the northerly island and heading back towards the Lighthouse.  My chance had gone as it would be unfair to keep everyone waiting another half an hour or so as I went over, gathered data and came back.  On occasions such as this I often reflect and store the memory of want, by doing so it encourages further visits, and these islands deserve that.  All too soon it was time to depart, we headed down to the metalled ladder and got back on the RIB and pulled out of the small, sheltered bay. 

Rob on his way down the ladder to the RIB

Getting ready to leave Ynysoedd y Moelrhoniaid.  Photo: RibRide

On our way back to Ynys Môn the islets of Ynysoedd y Moelrhoniaid were being enveloped by late afternoon high grey cloud as showers pushed in from the Irish Sea.  The RIB swept around their northern extremity before plunging back toward the Marina.  I looked back and the elongated profile of these wonderful rock strewn islets were now dark and silhouetted against the late afternoon sky, their illuminated colour now gone, replaced with a heartening profile of mystery and beckoning. 

The last view of Ynysoedd y Moelrhoniaid, now no more than a silhouette

Survey Result:

Ynysoedd y Moelrhoniaid 

Summit Height:  21.7m (converted to OSGM15) (Double Sub Twmpau addition)

Summit Grid Reference:  SH 26777 94759

Bwlch Height:  not applicable

Bwlch Grid Reference:  not applicable

Drop:  21.7m

Dominance:  100.00%

Ynys Arw 

Summit Height:  15.2m (converted to OSGM15, Trimble GeoXH 6000) (significant height revision)

Summit Grid Reference:  SH 26647 94598 (Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Bwlch Height:  0.0m (LIDAR)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SH 26690 94671 (LIDAR)

Drop:  15.2m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch) (Pellennig addition confirmed) 

Dominance:  100.00% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

For further details please consult the Trimble survey spreadsheet click {here}

© Crown: CHERISH PROJECT 2019. Produced with EU funds through the Ireland Wales Co-operation Programme 2014-2020. All material made freely available through the Open Government Licence.

Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Mynydd Bach

12.09.15  Ynys Aberteifi (SN 158 514)   

Ynys Aberteifi (SN 158 514)

Situated within 200 metres of the mainland, Ynys Aberteifi is the only major island on the great sweep of western coastline of Wales.  It rises to a map height of 52m and comprises 38 acres.  The Island is owned and managed by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales and is commonly referred to as Cardigan Island in English.

Our trip to this island was arranged by Adrian Rayner who had sought and been granted permission to visit by the owners, Adrian arranged our trip with A Bay to Remember, who operate boats out of Gwbert, which is a couple of miles north of Aberteifi (Cardigan).  The small family run business was set up in 2007 and run two boats; we had the pleasure of being shipped to the island in their 12 person RIB.

Departure time was set at 5.30pm and I arrived with plenty of time to spare and relaxed in the afternoon sunshine listening to the car radio.  One by one the others arrived with John Mackay, Marian Mackay, Alan Holmes and George Morl appearing from the direction of the beach next to where the Rib was moored in the estuary, Gordon Adshead soon arrived, followed by Douglas Law and Alex Cameron with Mark Trengove and Adrian Rayner pulling into the small lane leading down to the slipway and finally Rob Woodall and Smudge arrived.  There was debate whether to leave cars on the sands but due to high tide we were advised to park above the estuary.

Walking across the sands with the late afternoon sun sinking behind dotted cloud we met up with the two designated operators from A Bay to Remember, they patiently went through safely procedure and gave us our life jackets and on we clambered.  I sat at the back with Mark and within a few minutes the RIB was being manoeuvred out of the narrow estuary and into the open sea.

Heading over the sands towards the RIB

(L-R) Gordon, Mark, George, Alex, Alan, Smudge, Marian, Rob, Adrian, Doug and John

We kept close to the coastline as the RIB sped its way north and as we rounded the rocky jut of Craig y Gwbert, Ynys Aberteifi came into view.  The island was bathed in late afternoon light with its lower southerly coast gauged out into rocky crags and its upper grasslands pleasantly sloped up toward its slightly rounded summit.

Following the coastline north toward Ynys Aberteifi

Close to the eastern coast of the island the Dinghy that had followed us pulled toward the side of the RIB and Adrian, Rob, George, Mark, Gordon and me clambered aboard and were whisked off toward the slanting lower rock of the island.  As with most of these island trips the safest place to deposit visitors is on a flattish lower rock that usually then slants upward shelf-like until the safely of the grass above is reached.  This landing was no different, however the rock on previous island landings had always been wet and slippy, whilst today’s was dry and a delight to stand on.

Adrian securely on the island with the Dinghy heading back to collect the remaining six people from the RIB

As we made our way up the rock the Dinghy quickly swept back to the RIB and Doug, John, Marian, Smudge, Alex and Alan were aboard and whizzing toward the island.  As Adrian and Rob headed up the grass toward the top, a large flock of Geese rose from the summit area and wagh-onked their way across the sky, slowly darting in quickly formed formation flying landward and then circling back over the island.  Their continued call and flight was captivating and added to the serene nature of our surroundings.

Safely on the Dinghy the last of the party prepare to head toward Ynys Aberteifi

Standing on the summit and looking out to the flatbed of sea with the sun casting silver sheen across its limitless depths was a wonderful experience, these island trips are always special with each having their own individual atmosphere, but they seem to be over so quickly and as a number of summit photographs were taken, people started to roam and investigate whilst I positioned the Trimble on the highest point of land under helpful instruction from Alan.

Gordon on the lower grassed slopes

Call of the wild as Geese fly over the island

Smudge, Gordon and Doug with the shapely profile of Foel y Mwnt in the background

Rob and Adrian heading for the summit

As it gathered its five minutes of data I stood and looked out to sea and watched a gull fly through the silvered horizon where land meets the depths of ocean.  When the Trimble had gathered its allotted data I pressed ‘Done’ and took a photograph of Alex, Adrian, Alan and Mark at the summit, with Adrian holding two fingers aloft signifying this to be his two hundredth island that he had visited, a remarkable achievement.

Gathering data at the summit of Ynys Aberteifi

Becalmed tranquility

(L-R) Alex, Adrian, Alan and Mark at the summit of Ynys Aberteifi

Leaving the summit we headed over to the northern highpoint which according to the map is 9m lower than the island’s summit.  By now the sun had sank behind cloud and the prospect of a magical and illuminated sunset was tempting, but we couldn’t linger as many of the party were booked on the Ynysoedd y Moelrhoniaid island trip for tomorrow and had hours of driving ahead of them to get to their club huts, Youth Hostels and such like.

Looking toward the northerly highpoint

Alex videoing the scene

(L-R) Alex, Mark, Rob, Adrian and Alan on the northerly highpoint

Leaving the northern part of the island

Heading down toward the rock shelf

We found the narrow rib of rock leading down to the rock shelf and waited to be picked up by the Dinghy and transported back to the RIB.  Once the first set of six were safely dropped off on the RIB the Dinghy sped back to gather up the remaining six.

Getting onto the Dinghy

Approaching the RIB

The Dinghy picking up Smudge, Doug, John, Adrian, Alex and Rob

Once all aboard the RIB we were taken around the northern coast of the island, by now shower cloud had formed out to sea and pushed westward past us, but as we sped around the rock strewn island of Silian a rainbow flashed down from the sky illuminating the small island followed by the western tip of Ynys Aberteifi.

Silian and rainbow

The RIB ground to a halt as we all stared and soaked in the view as Silian looked as if it was alight and bellowing forth the rainbow, a quite magical site, as the RIB started its engines and headed toward the estuary the rainbow circled around the main island before disappearing from view.

Evening light on Ynys Aberteifi

It had been another magical island trip and all due to the logistical and patient expertise of Adrian who had gained permission for us to visit the island and organised the trip, thanks Adrian.

 

Survey Result:

Ynys Aberteifi (significant name change)

Summit Height:  52.5m (converted to OSGM15)

Summit Grid Reference:  SN 15812 51487

Bwlch Height:  N/A (sea)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  N/A (sea)

Drop:  52.5m

Dominance:  100.00%

For further details please consult the Trimble survey spreadsheet click {here}