Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Mynydd Epynt

18.05.25  Pen y Crug (SO 029 303) 

Pen y Crug (SO 029 303)

Hill celebrations are always wonderful occasions.  They are culminations of what for many people are years of ticking off hills in a list.  They are also occasions when old and new friends meet, and if combined with beautiful weather, as today was, they can be a shear joy to experience.

Today was the finish of Mark Trengove’s Welsh Hump completion.  For the uninitiated, a Hump is a 100m prominence hill.  There are 368 qualifying Welsh hills that meet this criterion and the one Mark had singled out for his last was Pen y Crug, which connects with the Mynydd Epynt group of hills.  Although much of this hill range is out of bounds due to a military training area, Pen y Crug is positioned on the southern periphery and well away from any out of bounds land.

I had been up the hill once before, in September 2017, when Lou and I ascended from the south-east on a good track that turned to a friendly green path leading up through the autumnal colour to the trig pillar that sits atop the summit.  On this day the tops of the higher Beacons were just skimmed with cloud, otherwise the hill gave excellent views.  Today the sky was an unadulterated blue with skylarks singing above and a welcome slight breeze cooling proceedings.  It was a perfect day for a hill celebration.

Mark drove from Mold to Welshpool, from where I then drove south to the car park at the base of the hill to its north.  This was close to its bwlch and gave me a chance to experience the hill from a different perspective and approach, which I always enjoy.

Our meeting time was midday and we arrived with 20 minutes to spare.  Soon cars started to appear, Rick and Jenny, Brent Lynam, Alex Cameron and Tony Jenkins soon arrived, followed by Barry Smith, Chris Bienkowski, Adrian Rayner and Keith Anderson.  It was good to see all, many who I had not seen for quite sometime.

I made an excuse to wander off to take a few photos of the hill, and asked Mark to keep everyone at bay for a few minutes; this gave me opportunity to head in to an adjacent field to get a few photographs, but also gave opportunity to gain a few minutes on everyone else and sneak away for a leisurely plod up the path leading to the open hillside above.

It felt good to be out in the sunshine, slowly wandering taking in the surrounds with skylarks singing, bees buzzing and bluebells and greenery all around, and all with the backdrop of the blue sky.  The path led up with greened hedgerows either side and manicured grazed fields beyond.  The enclosed path gave views directly toward the higher hill, which loomed above in a gently curved profile.

The path led to a gate which gave access to the open upper hill, from where an earthen dried path contoured up giving extended views past hillsides of bluebells to the light grayed ridges of the Black Mountains away to the east. 

The view east toward the Black Mountains

My pace was leisurely and all too soon I was caught by the throng of people following.  We soon crested the ridge that affords views south toward the higher Beacons.  Beyond the greened path led toward the ancient embankment and ditches that encircle the upper hill. 

I was soon caught up

Arriving at the summit we waited for Mark, who sauntered up behind us.  As he approached the high point there was a guard of honour waiting for him, with raised walking poles leading him over the summit of the hill toward the trig pillar.  He’d completed the Welsh Humps.  

Mark approaching the summit of Pen y Crug

All hill lists can take you on a journey to places that otherwise you would not visit; this is part of their appeal.  There is of course the small bonus that hills can afford tremendous experience and I’m sure the Welsh Humps have given Mark some excellent days on the hill. 

The guard of honour leading Mark to the summit

The next hour was one of those special occasions on the hill, with lots of conversation small glasses of Welsh whiskey, cake, strawberries and lots of nibbles and photos. 

Mark celebrating his completion of the Welsh Humps

During our time on the summit someone mentioned that Pen y Crug was also Adrian’s 7,000 Tump.  Another remarkable achievement and soon Adrian was beside the trig pillar kindly posing for a few photos.  He had kept this quiet, allowing for Mark’s celebration. 

Adrian at the summit of his 7,000th Tump

After we had finished off much of the celebratory food and drink things started to be packed away and as we waved Rick and Jen off down the hill, the rest of us followed ten minutes or so afterward. 

A nice touch brought by Mark for cake adornment

Leaving the summit we headed north down the upper part of the hill until connecting with the earthen ramparts, and then followed these around the hill, before connecting with our inward route and following this back down through the heat of the afternoon to the awaiting cars below. 

At the summit of Pen y Crug, from left to right we have; Bryher, Rick, Jenny, Barry, Alex, Keith, Adrian, Tony, Brent, Chris and Mark

It had been an excellent time on the hill and was rounded off with a visit to a pub on the outskirts of Brecon for a good meal and more interesting conversation. 

 

Survey Result:

 

Pen y Crug 

Summit Height:  331.2m (converted to OSGM15) (previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)  

Summit Grid Reference:  SO 02927 30312 (previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Bwlch Height:  219.9m (LIDAR)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SO 02162 30880 (LIDAR) 

Drop:  111.4m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

Dominance:  33.62% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch) (Lesser Dominant addition)

 

 

For details on the summit survey of Pen y Crug

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet 

Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Carnedd Wen

 

15.09.20  Aberbechan Wood (SO 128 950)  

LIDAR image of Aberbechan Wood (SO 128 950)

By the time we left the car for the walk to the summit of the hill listed as Aberbechan Wood it was 6.10pm, and realising we had time aplenty to visit the last of thirteen hills during the day for Alex and ten for me and then drive to Welshpool for the 7.55pm train connection for Alex, we could to an extent take our time.  However, we did need to be back at the car and leave by approximately 7.15pm to catch the last connection at Welshpool Railway Station.  So although we did not need to rush, we couldn’t linger. 

Leaving the car we followed a track beside a deciduous wood that gave shelter from the rain that was still falling.  This led to a gate and a steepening field.  Beyond the gate the field was highlighted by the ever lowering sun and glimmered in the most beautiful and delicate green. 

The lowering sun casting delicate colour

The summit was at the top of this field and we rested close to the gate for a minute or so before I followed Alex up the steep slope.  Using the Trimble as a hand-held device the ten figure grid reference produced by LIDAR analysis zeroed us in to the high point of the hill. 

Gathering data at the summit of Aberbechan Wood

The Trimble was soon set-up gathering data.  To our east and north the hillsides shone in the most stunning late afternoon / early evening light, which was accentuated by the slate grey sky above.  It was a fine hill to finish on, and one that we stood on top of long after the Trimble was closed down, just looking at the view and savouring the colour. 

Beautiful late afternoon colour highlighted the land

Reversing our inward route we were back at the car by 7.00pm and had plenty of time to watch the sun sinking in to the distant horizon, with a foreground of grazing cattle and pastured fields. 

The perfect end to an excellent day

It had been an excellent day with warm sunshine followed by intermittent rain, visiting some good smaller heighted hills; our days totals were thirteen for Alex and ten for me.  It had also given me the opportunity to meet local farmers, with three important names given and documented that will now be used for listing purposes. 

All that remained was the drive back to Welshpool, and by 7.35pm Alex was heading across the footbridge to the Railway Station’s platform for his connection back to north Wales.  Whilst I headed home for a rest! 

 

Survey Result: 

 

Aberbechan Wood (significant name change)

Summit Height:  192.9m (converted to OSGM15, Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Summit Grid Reference:  SO 12815 95085 (Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Bwlch Height:  149.7m (LIDAR)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SO 13155 95542 (LIDAR)

Drop:  43.2m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

Dominance:  22.40% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

 

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet

 

 

 

 

Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Carnedd Wen

 

15.09.20  Cefn Dinas (SO 129 964) 

LIDAR image of Cefn Dinas (SO 129 964)

Cefn Dinas was the twelfth of a hoped for thirteen hills for Alex during the day.  However, for me, it was only the ninth, as I had sat out the last three hills, all of which I had recently visited and Trimbled.  

The rain that had started when I was with John Watkins making place-name enquiries for the hill now listed as Square Field (SJ 070 031) was intermittently falling.  This felt refreshing when I waited beside a gate for Alex to scamper up Pen y Gaer (SJ 067 014), but by the time we parked below Crasty Frain (SO 109 983) the rain was heavier, and as Alex headed up the narrow lane to the gate giving access toward the summit I sat in the car with a boiled egg sandwich and a packet of crisps.  Alex was soon back and we now headed toward Moelywigoedd farm.  I’d recently visited this farm and met Ian Jerman who took me to the summit of his hill, we had exchanged email addresses and after processing the Trimble data I’d sent him the height of his hill and a couple of photographs of him on top.  Prior to this visit I’d emailed him and asked permission for Alex to visit, he’d replied in the affirmative, and although he was out working on the land when we arrived, I talked with his sister and as Alex headed up the hill I waited beside the car for his return. 

Alex arriving back after visiting Crasty Frain (SO 109 983)

Our route now headed southward, nearer the A483 road for the onward journey back to Welshpool Railway Station.  But before heading home we had time for at least one more hill; Cefn Dinas, which is positioned overlooking the small community of Betws Cedewain. 

Parking above the village beside the track that directed us upward toward the summit, we followed it as it swung rightward and continued around the southern flank of the hill.  As it did so, we continued on a green track to a gate which gave access to a steepening field that was adjacent to the field where the summit was positioned. 

The steepening field leading toward the summit of Cefn Dinas

We had discussed our cut-off time during the day and decided that we should be back at the car, ready to leave by 7.15pm.  As we approached the summit with the ten figure co-ordinates produced by LIDAR analysis taking us to the high point it was 5.30pm, the ascent had only taken just over 15 minutes. 

Alex at the summit of Cefn Dinas

The Trimble was soon set-up and gathering its allotted data.  During data collection Alex wandered back to the gate entrance for our downward route, whilst I stood a few metres away beside the northerly boundary fence.  I checked my watch and estimated what time we’d be back at the car and realised that if we were quick we could also visit the planned last hill, which would be the thirteenth for Alex, and tenth for me. 

Gathering data at the summit of Cefn Dinas

With the Trimble packed away we headed down, only stopping to flag down and talk with the local gamekeeper who we had briefly talked to whilst driving up the narrow road leading to the start of the track heading up the hill.  He confirmed that he had heard the name Cefn Dinas used for this hill, and then it was a walk back to the car and through Betws Cedewain toward a turning on our left where I squeezed the car next to three wheelie-bins leaving sufficient space to access the continuation of the paved lane and the track in both directions.  It was now 6.10pm and we had over an hour to ascend, survey and descend the last hill of the day; Aberbechan Wood (SO 128 950).

 

Survey Result:

 

Cefn Dinas (significant name change)  

Summit Height:  221.3m (converted to OSGM15, Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Summit Grid Reference:  SO 12992 96463 (Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Bwlch Height:  176.6m (LIDAR)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SO 13331 96892 (LIDAR)

Drop:  44.7m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

Dominance:  20.18% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

 

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet

 

 

Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Carnedd Wen

 

15.09.20  Square Field (SJ 070 031, previously Trimbled) 

Square Field (SJ 070 031)

I’d visited the summit of this hill five weeks ago whilst doing a circular walk having set off early in the morning to beat the forecast warm and humid conditions predicted for later in the morning and afternoon.  By the time I had reached the track that runs from the narrow road to the north-east of the summit and ends at a farm, the heat was battering me and I stood looking at the continuation of the track as it swept steeply down to the farm and wondered if I could make it back up if I visited the farm to make place-name enquiries.  With two hills remaining to visit and a few miles before arriving back at my car, I decided the farm could wait, and so I continued to the hill’s high point which was situated in the grazing field just to the south of the track and only two metres from an intervening fence. 

Today, this hill was on our schedule as Alex had not visited it and it was conveniently placed between our last hill; Top Field (SJ 070 055) and our next hill; Pen y Gaer (SJ 067 014).  Whilst on the summit of Top Field a greyed sky pushed in from the west, smothering the sunshine and blue skies of the morning.  It looked as if it heralded rain, which was a surprise as this was not forecast, and by the time Alex navigated us to the track and I parked the car and we strode out over the fence and stood on the summit, the grey sky pre-dominated. 

I quickly took two photos of Alex on the summit with the car no more than a few metres behind him, and wondered whether anyone would ever write rules to ethical bagging.  I hope not, as little adventures like this all add fun to the game. 

One of the easier hills to bag; Alex at the summit of Square Field

Soon we were parked in the farmyard and having knocked on the front door of the farm, John Watkins answered.  As I introduced myself and explained the reason for calling the first few spots of rain started to fall.  It looked as if I was going to get wet; however John kindly invited me in, where I spent ten minutes or so talking with him. 

John, like the vast majority of the farming community who I have met over the years, was a delight to meet.  He told me the hill doesn’t have an individual name so we concentrated on the field name.  I drew a diagram of his farm, the track and the paved road with appropriate field boundaries.  He told me that the field where the summit of the hill is situated is known as the Square Field and that this used to be made of two fields, with the other known as the Clover Field, and the field to the south-west where the 300m spot height appears on the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map is known as the Meadow. 

John Watkins

Thanking John I headed back to Alex, who had patiently waited in the car.  The rain had now stopped, but the greyness of the sky above showed signs that more rain was not too far away, next stop; Pen y Gaer (SJ 067 014). 

 

Survey Result: 

 

Square Field (significant name change)

Summit Height:  299.4m (converted to OSGM15, from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey) (Trichant reclassified to 200m Twmpau)

Summit Grid Reference:  SJ 07034 03161 (from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Bwlch Height:  253.6m (LIDAR)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SO 06533 03161 (LIDAR)

Drop:  45.8m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

Dominance:  15.29% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

 

 

For details on the Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit survey of this hill

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet

 

 

 

Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Carnedd Wen

 

15.09.20  Top Field (SJ 070 055)  

Top Field (SJ 070 055)

This was the seventh of a planned thirteen hills that Alex and I hoped to visit during the day, with me sitting out three of these as they had recently been Trimbled.  Alex had navigated the short distance from our previous hill; Caer Wedyn (SJ 095 047) on the narrow lanes that pre-dominate much of the land hereabouts, and I parked in a passing place close to the entrance track to the old farm of Rhiw-hiriaeth-uchaf after Alex had removed a large tangled tree branch that was lodged in the soon to be parking place. 

It was only a short walk on the narrow lane to the access track that swept up the northern flank of the hill toward the old farm which was tucked away out of sight under the summit to the south. 

Alex heading up the start of the access track toward the summit of Top Field

Prior to our visit I’d examined LIDAR and produced data for this hill’s summit and bwlch, and now with the grid co-ordinates produced by LIDAR analysis we zeroed in on the high point.  This consists of grass and as I set the Trimble up a small herd of cows slowly headed our way. 

LIDAR image of Top Field

After asking Alex if he could usher the cows a safe distance from the survey equipment I waited for the Trimble to achieve the 0.1m accuracy level before data should be logged, and once this appeared on the screen I pressed ‘Log’ and retreated to join Alex who was sitting admiring the view. 

With the cows a safe distance away the Trimble could start gathering data

Gathering data at the summit of Top Field

Away to our north Moel Bentyrch dominated the view with its greyed scree and crags on fine display, with the distant outline of ridges and summits beyond.  However, to our west a grey murk had appeared that forever crept nearer.  This looked like cloud bearing rain which was surprising as rain was not forecast. 

Moel Bentyrch

Once the Trimble had gathered and stored its allotted data we headed toward the access track leading to the farm.  From this viewpoint it looked as if the farm required quite a distance to walk, therefore we headed back with intention to use the track back toward the car. 

On our way Alex noticed a vegetated knoll above a small quarry and as this looked a similar height to the point that had just been Trimbled, we headed toward it.  Arriving at the knoll we both thought it probably consisted of debris from the quarry, but as we were now there we decided to gather data. 

Gathering data at the top of the knoll

The farm was now directly below us and as the Trimble beeped away gathering individual data I headed down the continuation of the field to see if I could access it from this direction.  I couldn’t due to wired fences and therefore made my way back to join Alex. 

Once the Trimble was packed away I decided to walk down the track to the farm to make place-name enquiries whilst Alex headed back to the car to get a brew on.  Having knocked at the front door of the old farm and getting no reply I slowly made my way back up the track and decided to get a third data set from where we both considered the highest part of natural ground was positioned at the base of the small vegetated knoll. 

Gathering data at the base of the knoll

After the third data set was taken I sauntered back over the hill and joined the access track and headed down to the narrow lane and the car where Alex duly gave me a welcome large cup of tea. 

Getting the brew on

We stood and chatted whilst sipping on tea and tucking in to the variety of food on offer which included Alex’ Mum’s bara brith and an assortment of crisps, boiled eggs, sandwiches and bananas. 

During our lunch break a tractor appeared chugging up the lane, once it safely negotiated the narrow gap between the paved section of road and my car I flagged it down.  The person driving the tractor was the local farmer; Owen Evans and he told me that unsurprisingly the hill has no individual name, but the field where the summit of the hill is situated is known as Top Field. 

Owen Evans

The day was proving productive with lots of hills being visited and chance encounters with farmers.  The summit of our next hill was beside a track leading to a farm.  I wanted to visit this farm to make place-name enquiries as I’d passed this way a few weeks before and due to the oppressive heat I decided to press on rather than face the re-ascent of the steep track leading down to the farm house. 

 

Survey Result: 

 

Top Field (significant name change)  

Summit Height:  333.3m (converted to OSGM15, Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Summit Grid Reference:  SJ 07082 05572 (Trimble GeoXH 6000) (summit relocation confirmed)

Bwlch Height:  301.1m (LIDAR)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SJ 06237 05273 (LIDAR)

Drop:  32.2m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch) (Sub-Trichant reclassified to Trichant)

Dominance:  9.65% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

 

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet

Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Carnedd Wen

 

15.09.20  Caer Wedyn (SJ 095 047) 

Caer Wedyn (SJ 095 047)

Re-visiting hills can trigger memories that transport you back in time.  When repeating multiple ascents of the Welsh 2,000ft’ers I was left with a strong feeling of the hills being there like old friends.  This is a feeling also commonly expressed by other people.  However, the strong bond formed from multiple ascents is different compared to a hill visited on just two or three occasions.  The memory of ascent route and view is strongly imprinted from a hill that has been visited on numerous occasions, whilst an imprint still exists from a hill that may have only been visited once before, but this imprint is by no means as strong.  However, it is still there, lingering almost as an afterthought.  And for the next hill on our day’s schedule this was the exact feeling triggered when we left the car and walked toward the gate that gave access to an old track leading to what is now the ruin of Tŷ-bwnc. 

I’d visited this hill once before in October 2011 and remember the ascent vividly.  Perhaps it was because of the deep blue sky that pervaded the scene on that occasion, and this.  Then I was on my own, now I was in the good company of Alex, but even with company, the triggered memory flooded back.  

Alex heading up the old track

I could remember the earthen and rutted track leading toward the old house, now ruined and overgrown.  The track then wound its way past the ruin of Tŷ-bwnc toward the summit of the hill, and even though I now knew that a covered reservoir compound was near the high point, the surprise of finding this on my first visit was shared with the surprise on this visit for how high and protected the compound is. 

The remains of Tŷ-bwnc; now ruined and overgrown

Prior to our visit I’d LIDARed this hill’s bwlch, but relied upon judgement for its summit position as LIDAR does not yet cover its high point.  This high point is just to the west of the compound, placed amongst fern with mature trees close by.  It is a beautiful scene, albeit one that is shared with the intervention of the high protected fence of the compound.  Such summits, with their peaceful scenes are to be savoured, and again the memories from my previous visit were triggered, and although the details from this visit nine years ago were distant, the lingering afterthought was still there. 

LIDAR bwlch image for Caer Wedyn

As the Trimble did its stuff gathering its allotted data, I sat with Alex and soaked in the view to the north-west.  Once data were gathered and stored I closed the equipment down, had one last look at the summit and re-joined Alex just as the motorised sound of a quad bike wafted up the hill from the field to our north.  This progressively got louder until the quad bike appeared and headed toward an adjacent field with me running after it.  It didn’t stop, and I thought the chance to make place-name enquiries with someone who was obviously a local farmer had been missed.  However, as we walked toward the compound the quad bike reappeared and I dashed off to flag it down. 

Gathering data at the summit of Caer Wedyn

The local farmer on the quad bike was Glyn Evans and we chatted for ten minutes or so.  Glyn told me that the hill doesn’t have an individual name, but the upper field where the summit is situated is known as Caer Wedyn after the name of the old landowning farm. 

Glyn Evans

Once I’d written all the information Glyn had given me, I thanked him and we waved our goodbyes.  Alex and I then sauntered down the remainder of the old track back to the access gate and the lane leading to my car.  This was the sixth hill of the morning, but with seven remaining to visit we couldn’t linger too long as another hill beckoned. 

 

Survey Result:

 

Caer Wedyn (significant name change)

Summit Height:  318.9m (converted to OSGM15, Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Summit Grid Reference:  SJ 09555 04796 (Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Bwlch Height:  274.0m (LIDAR)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SJ 07037 04695 (LIDAR)

Drop:  44.9m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

Dominance:  14.08% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

 

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet