15.10.20 Bryn Bras (SN 573 772)
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Bryn Bras (SN 573 772)
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This was the second of
what proved to be nine hills visited during the day, eight of which are listed
as P30s, with the odd one out being listed as a sub. I was out on the hill with Charles Everett
and we had just visited Castell (SN 585 789), which is a small heighted but
wonderfully positioned hill overlooking the Afon Ystwyth and the coast to the
north-west. Our next hill on the days
agenda is listed as Bryn Bras and is positioned south-westward of Castell and
for the convenience of our bagging day it has a narrow lane that contours the
hill’s upper part and which is to its east.
This lane helped our bagging agenda as it enabled a relatively quick,
albeit leisurely ascent.
The morning was glorious
with unadulterated blue sky near the coast and with a bank of cloud inland telling
us that we had picked our hills favourably for the day. The whole area that we explored during the
day reminded me of parts of Ireland with quiet lanes and gorse laden
hills. It had a gentle feeling to it,
one that was unrushed and even though the shear nature of hill bagging
sometimes dictates a rushed mentality, our leisurely pace to and up and from
the hill to the next, seemed in tune with our surroundings.
Having explored the
access to this hill via Google Earth I thought an approach from the west was
one that could be taken, however we found a parking place close to where a
public footpath leaves a sharp bend in the lane and marches off toward Morfa
Bychan caravan site. This approach was
quicker and aerial views showed that it was also easier as it avoided much of
the gorse on parts of the hill.
It’s always a challenge writing
a report of a survey that only took a few minutes to walk up the hill, survey
it and walk back down. I often approach
such tasks from one of description and feeling, rather than one of practicality
where a single paragraph would suffice.
This could be thought of as over-complicating matters, but I find my
approach takes me back to the hill and the feelings I experienced when there.
As we wandered back down
the lane to a stile, Charles led the way, as he also did so across the field
with me heading upward toward a fence.
Charles called across for me to join him as another stile crossed the
fence and gave us access to the upper hill.
Early morning cows were
grazing the eastern and southern parts of the upper hill, their black and white
coats shining against the morning sunshine.
The ones beyond the summit on the southern part of the hill slowly munched
their way toward us as we reached the hill’s high point. The summit gave wonderful coastal views with
the blue of the sea screaming back at us, temptingly and alluringly, an almost
never ending horizon opened to the Llŷn in the north and the
hills of Pembrokeshire to the south.
Charles celebrated in the only manner that Charles can!
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And why not as it was a stunningly beautiful day!
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Charles waiting patiently for the Trimble to gather data
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Within a few minutes we
had assessed the lay of land and chosen the placement for the Trimble. Prior to visiting this hill I had analysed
its numerical details via LIDAR, and even though this can help with zeroing in
to the summit of a hill, in many instances it is only used afterward as a
confirmation as many summits, even on lesser heighted hills are easy to
pinpoint by just the use of one’s eye, and Bryn Bras was such an example.
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LIDAR image of Bryn Bras
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During data gathering we
both stood back from the equipment and waited for the allotted data to be
collected and stored. I also kept an eye
on the cows that were slowly making their way upward and toward our position.
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Gathering data at the summit of Bryn Bras
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Once data were gathered
and stored I closed the equipment down, took a few photographs, packed it away
and re-joined Charles as we headed down.
On the way we encountered more cows with one or two slowly approaching
us, ever inquisitive even if rather timid.
Charles stayed with them as I wandered toward the stile leading us back
to the lane, and after gentle encouragement one of the cows slowly approached
Charles sticking its nose out for a stroke.
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Our companions near the summit
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Once back at the car we
headed further south for about 2km, on the same narrow lane to our third hill
of the day; Banc (SN 568 757).
Survey Result:
Bryn Bras (significant name
change)
Summit Height: 169.8m (converted to OSGM15, Trimble GeoXH
6000)
Summit Grid Reference: SN 57323 77231 (Trimble GeoXH 6000)
Bwlch Height: 127.7m (LIDAR)
Bwlch Grid Reference: SN 57194 76934 and SN 57199 76941 (LIDAR)
Drop: 42.1m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR
bwlch)
Dominance: 24.80% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR
bwlch)
For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet
