Grough Article - Creag na Caillich and Mullach Coire nan Cisteachan

Grough have published an article on the survey of Creag na Caillich and Mullach Coire nan Cisteachan conducted by G&J Surveys.  The original article and a link to it on the Grough website appear below.

These two hills were previously surveyed by Alan Dawson and our results confirmed his findings.  As a result the Scottish Mountaineering Club has amended the list of Munro Tops with Creag na Caillich taken out of the list and Mullach Coire nan Cisteachan included as a new Munro Top.

One up, one down, as hills sleuths promote one munro top and demote another

Myrddyn Philips, Guest contributor
Friday 11 September 2015 09:11 AM GMT

Three amateur surveyors who use professional equipment to accurately measure the height of hills recently turned their attention to two munro tops that were close to the qualifying altitudes for the official tables.

There was good news for one pretender; less good news for one peak on the list.

Graham Jackson and John Barnard beside the Leica GS15 at the summit of Creag na Caillich which until their survey was classified as a Munro Top

When, in 1891, the Scottish Mountaineering Club (SMC) published what is now known as Munro’s Tables, the Highlands of Scotland and their 3,000ft mountains were first listed.

This list comprised 538 hills and differentiated between separate mountains, with 283 listed, and their subsidiary tops, with 255 listed. These are known nowadays as munros and munro tops respectively.

Over subsequent years munro bagging has become very popular with more than 6,000 people now officially registered with the SMC as being ‘compleatists’, and probably many more that staunchly keep their compleation between themselves and good friends.

Our surveying in the Scottish Highlands has concentrated on The Munro Society’s (TMS) Heighting Project with many of the heights of marginal munros and high corbetts now having been measured accurately by us.

Since we invested in our Global Navigation Satellite System surveying equipment that is capable of height measurements to a precision of 5cm or better, the Scottish Highlands have also attracted the attention of Alan Dawson, who invested in similar GNSS equipment in 2012. Alan is well known as a hill list compiler with a multitude of prominence based lists to his credit, including the marilyns, and his surveys are focused on improving the accuracy of these lists.

It was the results from surveys of Creag na Caillich and Mullach Coire nan Cisteachan that were conducted by Alan that interested us for our latest Highland adventure, since both these surveys also suggested status changes to the list of munro tops. The latter name of Mullach Coire nan Cisteachan was adopted by the SMC through local enquiry and map study, as the hill is unnamed on current Ordnance Survey maps. It has also been known as Carn na Caim South Top.

Creag na Caillich, once a Munro Top but now confirmed as being under 3,000ft high

Creag na Caillich (NN562 376), a munro top, is positioned at the western end of the Tarmachan Ridge and is easily accessible via a track that gains height around the southern part of the ridge. The day we ventured onto this hill proved almost ideal, as only an occasional shower materialised over the mountains and these were quickly pushed eastward by a brisk breeze.

We parked at the car park on the minor road close to the position of the now demolished Ben Lawyers visitor centre, and set off in a westerly direction along the excellent track. The route essentially traverses west under the southern flank of the Tarmachan Ridge before reaching an old quarry.

At this point it was a question of finding the most suitable route up the steep grassy flanks to reach the col and the summit ridge path to the east of our target. This was tough going with all the equipment, and we very much contributed to the already high humidity, but one could not avoid admiring this lush green corrie.

The summit of Creag na Caillich is quite pronounced and is an excellent viewpoint to look back along the ridge and also to admire the great scenery in this part of the Highlands. As we knew the measurement would be critical, we first used a level and staff to determine accurately the highest point before assembling our Leica GS15 over it. This now remained in place for the minimum two hour data collection period required by OS for them to verify the data.

The summit was surprisingly windy and we were pleased to be sheltered behind a small rock outcrop while the all important data were being collected. Once the job had been completed it was a return to the car by the same route and, with more time, a chance to admire some of the flora and fauna as well. A rare butterfly, called a mountain ringlet, was just one of the highlights.

The following day we had arranged to meet representatives from the SMC and members of TMS just off the A9 for an ascent and survey of Mullach Coire nan Cisteachan (NN 663 806) currently on OS maps with a height below 3,000feet. The SMC were represented by Rab Anderson and Andy Nisbet and TMS by a number of members including Iain Robertson who had instigated the Heighting Project for TMS.

Surveyors, SMC representatives and members of The Munro Society at the summit of Mullach Coire nan Cisteachan 

The ascent of this hill is straightforward as a vehicle track ascends one of the bulky westerly whaleback ridges to within a few metres of the summit; so it’s a question of heads down and go for it.

Many would agree that Drumochter is not the most scenic part of the Scottish Highlands, but the altitude of the A9 does mean fairly short ascents. Weather conditions on the summit were perfect with clear conditions and a light breeze. Again once the high point had been located accurately with level and staff, the Leica GS15 was set up for its two hour data collection.

During this time a number of the party took the opportunity to visit the parent munro of Carn na Caim, while we inspected the area of the bealach, or col if you are a Sassenach. A key factor for the SMC in deciding the status of a munro top is ‘topographical significance’, although the drop of a hill was something that Munro never took into account in the creation of his tables. Topographical significance was based by Munro on subjective judgment rather than any formulaic method. We also planned to confirm the drop from the summit to the bealach which Alan had previously measured to be over 30m.

The bealach consists of an unsavoury looking peat bog, which although sticky in places and messy on our footwear, never proved too difficult to negotiate, and nobody disappeared into it. Once our initial inspection was complete we returned to the summit and waited the few remaining minutes for the two hours of data to be collected before taking the surveying equipment back down to the bealach.

Mullach Coire nan Cisteachan - the hill that is now officially a new Munro Top

Using the level and staff in the bog proved interesting particularly for the holder of the staff who finished the survey 6 inches taller. However, the critical position of the bealach was located as before and the Leica GS15 was set up over it to collect GNSS data. All that remained was to retrace our steps back over the summit and down to the A9 where our cars awaited.

The results for these surveys were sent to OS who subsequently verified the data and maps will be accordingly updated with the Creag na Caillich result of 914.3m being rounded down to 914m on maps, and the Mullach Coire nan Cisteachan result of 914.6m being rounded up to 915m on maps.

This information was forwarded to the SMC and as the all important figure of 3,000ft for munro top status is 914.4m, it means that the SMC has taken Creag na Caillich out from the list of munro tops but more pleasingly as one hill departs the list another enters, and the SMC will include Mullach Coire nan Cisteachan into the list of munro tops. This is the first new munro top to be identified since the last revision of Munro’s Tables in 1997.

John Barnard, Graham Jackson and Myrddyn Phillips (G&J Surveys)

Please click {here} to see the original article published on the Grough website

UKHillwalking Article - Creag na Caillich and Mullach Coire nan Cisteachan

UKHillwalking have published an article on the survey of Creag na Caillich and Mullach Coire nan Cisteachan conducted by G&J Surveys.  The original article and a link to it on the UKHillwalking website appear below.

These two hills were previously surveyed by Alan Dawson and our results confirmed his findings.  As a result the Scottish Mountaineering Club has amended the list of Munro Tops with Creag na Caillich taken out of the list and Mullach Coire nan Cisteachan included as a new Munro Top.

One New Munro Top Found; Another Is Demoted

by John Barnard, Graham Jackson & Myrddyn Phillips 11/Sep/2015

G & J Surveys, the team of hill surveyors behind several well publicised revisions of mountain heights, have been busy in the Scottish highlands. The result is one brand new Munro Top, and one demotion. Mullach Coire nan Cisteachan above Drumochter is the first new Munro Top to be identified since the last official revision of Munro’s Tables in 1997. However one hill's gain is another's loss, and a survey of Creag na Caillich on the Tarmachan Ridge has led to its removal from the list. For now then, the total number of Tops remains the same at 255 (in addition to the 283 Munros). Here's how they came by their results. 

---

When, in 1891, the Scottish Mountaineering Club (SMC) published what is now known as Munro’s Tables, the highlands of Scotland and their 3000ft mountains were first listed. This list comprised 538 hills and differentiated between Separate Mountains (with 283 listed) and their Subsidiary Tops (with 255 listed). These are known nowadays as Munros and Munro Tops respectively.

Over subsequent years Munro bagging has become very popular with over 6000 people now officially registered with the SMC as being 'compleatists' [sic], and probably many more that staunchly keep their completion between themselves and good friends.

Using a level and staff to determine the high point of Creag na Caillich, formerly a Munro Top

Our surveying in the Scottish Highlands has concentrated on The Munro Society’s (TMS) Heighting Project with many of the heights of marginal Munros and high Corbetts now having been measured accurately by us. Since we invested in our GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) surveying equipment that is capable of height measurements to a precision of 5cm or better, the Scottish Highlands has also attracted the attention of Alan Dawson, who invested in similar GNSS equipment in 2012. Alan is well known as a hill list compiler with a multitude of prominence based lists to his credit, including the Marilyns, and his surveys are focussed on improving the accuracy of these lists. It was the results from surveys of Creag na Caillich and Mullach Coire nan Cisteachan that were conducted by Alan that interested us this time, since both these surveys also suggested status changes to the list of Munro Tops. 

Nb. The latter name of Mullach Coire nan Cisteachan was adopted by the SMC through local enquiry and map study, as the hill is unnamed on current Ordnance Survey (OS) maps. It has also been known as  Carn na Caim South Top.

Creag na Caillich (NN562376) is positioned at the western end of the Tarmachan Ridge and is easily accessible via a track that gains height around the southern part of the ridge. The day we ventured onto this hill proved almost ideal, as only an occasional shower materialised over the mountains and these were quickly pushed eastward by a brisk breeze. We parked on the minor road close to the position of the now demolished Ben Lawyers visitor centre, and set off along the excellent track. The route essentially traverses west under the southern flank of the Tarmachan Ridge before reaching an old quarry. At this point it was a question of finding the most suitable route up the steep grassy flanks to reach the col and the summit ridge path to the east of our target. This was tough going with all the equipment, and we very much contributed to the already high humidity, but one could not avoid admiring this lush green corrie!

John Barnard at the summit of Creag na Caillich

The summit of Creag na Caillich is quite pronounced and is an excellent view point to look back along the ridge and also to admire the great scenery in this part of the Highlands. As we knew the measurement would be critical, we first used a level and staff to determine accurately the highest point before assembling our Leica GS15 over it. This now remained in place for the minimum two hour data collection period required by OS for them to verify the data. The summit was surprisingly windy and we were pleased to be sheltered behind a small rock outcrop while the all-important data were being collected. Once the job had been completed it was a return to the car by the same route and, with more time, a chance to admire some of the flora and fauna as well. A rare butterfly, called a Mountain Ringlet, was just one of the highlights. 

The following day we had arranged to meet representatives from the SMC and members of TMS just off the A9 for an ascent and survey of Mullach Coire nan Cisteachan (NN663806) currently on OS maps with a height below 3000feet. The SMC were represented by Rab Anderson and Andy Nisbet and TMS by a number of members including Iain Robertson who had instigated the Heighting Project for TMS.

Immersed in a bog - surveying the bealach of Mullach Coire nan Cisteachan

The ascent of this hill is straightforward as a vehicle track ascends one of the bulky westerly whaleback ridges to within a few metres of the summit; so it’s a question of heads down and go for it! Many would agree that Drumochter is not the most scenic part of the Scottish Highlands, but the altitude of the A9 does mean fairly short ascents. Weather conditions on the summit were perfect with clear conditions and a light breeze. Again once the high point had been located accurately with level and staff, the Leica GS15 was set up for its two hour data collection. During this time a number of the party took the opportunity to visit the parent Munro of Carn na Caim, whilst we inspected the area of the bealach, or col if you are a Sassenach. A key factor for the SMC in deciding the status of a Munro Top is “topographical significance”, although the drop of a hill was something that Munro never took into account in the creation of his Tables. Topographical significance was based by Munro on subjective judgment rather than any formulaic method.  e also planned to confirm the drop from the summit to the bealach which Alan had previously measured to be over 30m.

The bealach consists of an unsavoury looking peat bog, which although sticky in places and messy on our footware, never proved too difficult to negotiate, and nobody disappeared into it! Once our initial inspection was complete we returned to the summit and waited the few remaining minutes for the two hours of data to be collected before taking the surveying equipment back down to the bealach. Using the level and staff in the bog proved interesting particularly for the holder of the staff who finished the survey six inches taller! However, the critical position of the bealach was located as before and the Leica GS15 was set up over it to collect GNSS data. All that remained was to retrace our steps back over the summit and down to the A9 where our cars awaited.

The results for these surveys were sent to OS who subsequently verified the data and maps will be accordingly updated with the Creag na Caillich result of 914.3m being rounded down to 914m on maps, and the Mullach Coire nan Cisteachan result of 914.6m being rounded up to 915m on maps.

This information was forwarded to the SMC and as the all-important figure of 3000ft for Munro Top status is 914.4m, it means that the SMC has taken Creag na Caillich out from the list of Munro Tops. But more pleasingly as one hill departs the list another enters, and the SMC will include Mullach Coire nan Cisteachan into the list of Munro Tops. This is the first new Munro Top to be identified since the last revision of Munro’s Tables in 1997.

Here are two videos of the hill survey days:

Please click {here} to see the original article published on the UKHillwalking website

G&J Surveys - Munro Tops list amended - The Times

The Times have published an article today about our recent surveys of Creag na Caillich and Mullach Coire nan Cisteachan, both hills had been previously surveyed by Alan Dawson with his Leica RX1250 and credit is given as it was Alan who found that the former was just below 3,000ft in height and the latter just above 3,000ft in height. 

We submitted the two hour data gathered at each summit to Ordnance Survey, who have accepted the results and will update maps accordingly.  As a result the Scottish Mountaineering Club has amended the list of Munro Tops and included Mullach Coire nan Cisteachan and excluded Creag na Caillich.  Therefore the listing of Munro Tops is amended but the totals remain the same!

Fresh off the press - today's copy of The Times

Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Tarmachan Ridge

29.07.15  Creag na Caillich (NN 562 376)    

Creag na Caillich (NN 562 376)

What a difference a day can make!  Yesterday the rain swept in and remained for a number of hours penetrating bodies and ground and yet a few hours and one day later and the sun kissed the hillsides and bathed their colour in warmth.

Today we were back at the base of Beinn Ghlas aiming for the western end of the Tarmachan ridge, this is where the shapely summit of Creag na Caillich is found, this hill is currently listed as a Munro Top.  However, its summit has been surveyed by Alan Dawson with his Leica RX 1250 as being 914.29m high, which is 0.11m below 914.4m / 3,000ft.

By the time Graham parked his car I had already got my boots on and the tripod was strapped to the bottom of my rucksack and a few minutes later I set off in the knowledge that I had to get a good start on John and Graham, otherwise they would be waiting a long time on the summit for my arrival.

A track contours its way around the southern flank of this excellent ridge and gives easy access to its far western end.  As I walked up the track the sun shone out from a beautiful patched cloud sky with Loch Tay spread out below as an elongated sheen.

Looking back down the track to Meall Corranaich

The expanse of Loch Tay

There were moments when I considered putting on my one-skin summer walking jacket as a brisk wind blew, chillying my arms, but I persevered and was thankful I did as the warmth of the sun, and height gained, warmed by body.

The track splits on two occasions with the latter giving access to a small quarry below Coire Fionn Làirige.  As I headed up toward the quarry and our break off point from the track onto open hillside I looked behind and John and Graham were quickly approaching, they soon overtook me and John sped ahead up steep green slopes that were still wet from yesterday’s deluge.

Being caught up

Being overtaken

Gaining height we crept up beside a small stream aiming for the bealach between Creag na Caillich and Beinn nan Eachan.  The former looked like a grand hill with steep eastern sides plummeting down from a pointed summit, whilst the latter was a rounded bulk, protected on its southern side by upper crags.

Graham overshadowed by the bulk of Beinn nan Eachan

By now John had sped off and I occasionally picked out his profile way off in the distance, Graham followed and kindly waited at each point of our upward route that disappeared around a grassed bump until I had come into view, indicating the onward route for me.  This expanse of hillside was marvellous as part of the Tarmachan ridge veered up in front of us with the sun casting dramatic light and the cloud accentuating the effect with shadowed silhouette.

Graham in the great bowl of land under the Tarmachan Ridge

Eventually the ridge was gained and the wind blew in from the north, it was chilly!  As I followed the ridge path John was standing on the pointed summit waiting for our arrival.

John on the summit of Creag na Caillich

Once at the top extra layers of clothing were quickly put on and we used the level and staff to prod around the high point of the hill, this consists of a small grassed area with a few stones indicating a semblance of summit cairn. 

Determining the high point of Creag na Caillich with a level and staff

This small grassed summit area was within a few millimetres from one end to the other, but we determined the high point and John and Graham proceeded to put the tripod and the Leica GS15 over it.  We made a note of the measurement offset with the steel tape of the tribach and set it to collect data.

Setting up the Leica GS15

Graham and John beside the Leica GS15 at the summit of Creag na Caillich

Our next objective was to get out of the wind as it was making our stay somewhat chilly.  John and I found a reclining seat partly out of the wind which we happily made our home for the next two hours of data collection, whilst Graham disappeared around a corner only to emerge and say that he was off to bag a Corbett Top which is named as Meall Tòn Eich on the map.  This looked a long way off with quite a bit of descent to get down to it.

The view from our partly sheltered reclining seat - Meall Garbh

A nice spot to spend a couple of hours as the Leica GS15 collects data from the summit of Creag na Caillich

The view from our partly sheltered reclining seat - Beinn nan Eachan

Toward the end of our two hour wait Graham emerged from his wander and we watched as a person descended our upward route down toward the track corner where we had left to climb on open hillside.  Away to our north-east Meall Garhb pointed skyward with its impressively shaped summit on display.  Further west we could see tiny figures on the summit ridge of Meall nan Tarmachan.  It was a stunning panorama and one that blended from one peak to another in a seamless continuation of mountain form.

Graham on the summit of Meall Tòn Eich (centre of photo)

By the time the two hours of data collection was complete a number of large showers were breaking out on near ground to our north-west, and once the GS15 had been dismantled I quickly set the Trimble up to gather five minutes of data.

The Trimble set up at the summit of Creag na Caillich with Loch Tay in the background

The Trimble set up at the summit of Creag na Caillich with the continuation of the Tarmachan Ridge in the background

As we packed the equipment away I also stripped off the extra layers of my clothes and tried to put them in my rucksack before the wind whisked them away.  Once everything had been packed away we shot off following the ridge path to the steep grassy descent down into the bowl of land and back to the track.

Heading back on the ridge path

It had been another excellent day on the hill and one that was a bonus, as although this hill had been one we wanted to survey we had not planned to do so until discussing it the previous day.

Survey Result:

Creag na Caillich

Summit Height:  914.4m (converted to OSGM15, Trimble GeoXH 6000) 

914.3m (converted to OSGM15, Leica RX1250)  914.3m (converted to 

OSGM15, Leica GS15) (deletion of Munro Top)  

Summit Grid Reference:  NN 56285 37699

Drop:  69.3m (from earlier Leica RX1250 survey)

Dominance:  7.58%

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet