Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Yr Wyddfa

07.07.26  Yr Wyddfa (SH 609 543, only bwlch surveyed)

The Trimble GeoXH 6000 and Leica Gs15 gathering data at the summit of Yr Wyddfa

In September 2014 along with Graham Jackson and John Barnard I surveyed the summit of Yr Wyddfa.  In attendance was Mark Greaves representing Ordnance Survey.  It was Mark who later processed the gathered data.  Our endeavours were filmed by Stephen Edwards of Cread Cyf and Aled Llŷr, with the film appearing on ITV Wales.

The summit architecture of Yr Wyddfa has changed over many years, with all manner of structures being built.  These have consisted of huts where horses were stabled and the Victorian tourists who ascended on them could rest, take in the view, if indeed one existed and recover from their exploits before the journey back down the mountain.

Over time huts evolved in to a hotel and latterly a summit café.  However, these constructions did not limit themselves to the ground surrounding the summit, they also took in the summit itself, with massive cairns of stone, a flag pole and latterly a summit plinth with a weather station and identification plague on top of what is fashioned to resemble a triangulation pillar.  This stands atop the aforementioned plinth which has been constructed over the natural summit tor.  Thankfully we have a bench mark height to the bedrock which can supposedly still be accessed from a small window on the side of the weather station.  It was the wisdom of Ordnance Survey who installed the bench mark and documented its height, as all we could do when resurveying the summit of Yr Wyddfa was take a measurement to the concrete plinth, which is an obvious man-made addition to the height of the mountain.

As with many listings, the qualification whether a hill should be included is dependent upon its drop.  This is the height difference between its summit and bwlch that connects to the next higher summit along its watershed.  The approximate position of the Yr Wyddfa bwlch had been known for many years and to my knowledge was first documented by Alan Dawson.  This connecting bwlch is positioned beside the Forth and Clyde canal in Scotland.

The Ordnance Survey give a 46m spot height on the 1:25,000 Explorer map at NS 76804 78578, which could be where the critical point of this bwlch is positioned.  However, map study shows two burns descending southward from the hillside above the small community of Kelvinhead.  As these two burns near the canal one heads westward and the other eastward, suggesting that the bwlch is positioned on ground between the two.  This is the best available evidence we have at the moment for the position of this bwlch, until LIDAR becomes available for this part of the country.

This was a survey I had wanted to do for many years, but opportunity was limited as I now rarely venture north in to Scotland.  However, with an offer to stay accompanied by John Kirk, in Mark Trengove and his wife’s newly built second home in Laide in Wester Ross, this gave us the prospect to survey this bwlch on our way north.

Arriving at Mark’s at midday we quickly packed my gear in his car and he then proceeded to drive to John’s in Burnley where we over-nighted before John took over the driving duties heading north.  As the hours of travel slowly ticked by the weather became more inclement with fine drizzled spots of rain hitting the windscreen.  By the time we left the M80 and drove in to Kelvinhead the sky was coloured light grey and light rain interspersed with more drizzle met us as I quickly got my walking boots on for the walk down to the canal. 

Heading down the path toward the bwlch

John seemed to know this area well and we followed him toward the gate giving access to the narrow path leading down beside what turned out to be one of the burns, which only showed its watery trickle as we approached the canal.  This burn was on our right as we descended, whilst the burn on our left was no more than a slight indentation consisting of lots of greenery, which as least intimated that water was in fact present. 

Nearing the bwlch

A gate gave further access to the canal towpath, and it was close to this gate where the majority of our efforts were concentrated, as all ground on the path descended to this point and beyond the gate all ground went uphill for a short distance to the canal towpath.  On our way through the gate we had a quick discussion where we considered the critical point to be positioned.  We then visited the canal which was unexpectedly wide at this point.  The surprise at its width was based on the experience of my local Montgomeryshire canal where two narrow boats crossing would be the limit; this canal was like a river.  However, John later explained that this part consisted of a water basin where boats could pass without difficulty. 

Arriving on the canal towpath

We stood beside the water for a number of minutes with John pointing out the ditch on the far side of the canal.  If whilst on the valley to valley traverse the height of a cutting was taken as the critical point of the bwlch, the ditch formed a major difficulty in our endeavours as from this vantage point it looked lower on the hill to hill traverse, but again John explained that breaking the ditch is a bank that goes in the hill to hill direction, thus increasing the high point of the valley to valley traverse if following the ditch.  Therefore, it seemed we were safe in taking the ground close to the gate as the critical point for the bwlch of Yr Wyddfa. 

The western view of the canal

Looking south on the hill to hill traverse with the ditch evident adjacent to the opposing bank

The eastern view of the canal

Once a few photos of the canal were taken we backtracked to the gate and had a good inspection of the path and its downward passage toward this point.  We initially considered gathering data from the ground immediately through and at the base of the gate, but soon the Trimble was moved to the path leading toward the gate.  Ground hereabouts within a ten metre distance looked consistently flattish and with little margin of uncertainly for such a survey the Trimble was quickly positioned on my rucksack, which in instances like this forms a convenient makeshift tripod.  Once the 0.1m accuracy level was attained before data should be logged, I pressed ‘Log’ and headed back through the gate to stand away from the equipment as it gathered its customary five minutes of data. 

The Trimble GeoXH 6000 gathering data at the bwlch of Yr Wyddfa

After data were gathered and stored I closed the equipment down and took a series of photos from various directions of the Trimble in situ.  It was then packed away and we headed up the path toward the dry confines of John’s car.  On the way we met David Henderson on his quad bike with three attendant sheep dogs scampering after him.  I flagged him down for a chat. 

The northern view from the bwlch

The eastern view from the bwlch

The southern view from the bwlch

The western view from the bwlch

We spent a number of minutes with David; he told us he’s known as Dov by all his friends.  I happily explained the significant of the land he farms and specifically the point on the path no more than five minutes down from where we were now standing.  He didn’t look amazed, which was a disappointment and seemed to take in the critical nature of this point in his stride.  Aw well! 

The view further east

David Henderson with Bessie, Roy and Peggy

Leaving the bwlch

After leaving David we continued on the slight uphill leading back to the houses in Kelvinhead.  By now the intermittent rain and drizzle had in the main relented, just long enough for me to get my walking boots off and after a quick repositioning of my gear around the back seat of John’s car, we were away on our trip heading farther north in to the beautiful wilds of northern Scotland. 

  

Survey Result:

Yr Wyddfa

Summit Height:  1084.8m (converted to OSGM15) (Ordnance Survey historical data to bedrock at summit) 

Summit Grid Reference:  SH 60985 54374 (Old triangulation pillar and Ordnance Survey historical data to bedrock at summit) 

Bwlch Height:  47.6m (converted to OSGM15, Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  NS 75797 78295 (Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Drop:  1037.2m (Ordnance Survey historical data to bedrock at summit and Trimble GeoXH 6000 bwlch)

Dominance:  95.61% (Ordnance Survey historical data to bedrock at summit and Trimble GeoXH 6000 bwlch)

 

 

My thanks to Alan Dawson with help processing these data

 

For details on the 1^st summit survey of this hill

 

For details on the 2^nd summit survey of this hill

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet 

Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Way Stone Edge

 

14.04.26  Way Stone Edge (SD 999 140) 

Way Stone Edge (SD 999 140)

Having just visited Dog Hill (SE 003 170) it was only a short drive on the A672 road under the busy M62 to our designated parking place, which was directly west of the summit of our last hill of the day; Way Stone Edge.

This hill is classified as a Four, and also currently as a Subhump, although LIDAR implies that its natural col still exists and therefore under Hump protocols it should be deleted from the ranks of Subs.

By now the weather was definitely turning for the worse with mid afternoon rain forecast.  This could be seen pushing in from the south as slate grey cloud slowly enveloped the surrounds.  This meant it was wise not to linger and as I exited John’s car I asked what path we were heading on, he directed me toward a gate on the opposite side of the road and I was soon on my way following a path amongst copious amounts of reed grass.

Mark and John followed with John soon taking the lead.  The bulk of Way Stone Edge rose in front looming over the bleached moor, with the path quickly turning in to a vehicle track that took us down to a stream.  Going was never difficult, although rather squashy in parts.  John fell close to the stream and floundered to get purchase on the soft grass beside the thin strip of water, I watched as he berated himself which made me smile.  I resisted the temptation of taking a photograph, which in years gone by I may well have done. 

John leading the way down to the stream

Having lost height from the road down to the stream, the up hill now started as we followed a relatively good vehicle track on the moor as it headed up toward a gate and fence, beyond which the going steepened as bleached moor turned to heather and moor grass. 

Beyond the gate and fence the going steepened

Again, the going was never difficult, but that rain was closing in and as we crested the summit plateau Mark used his hand-held GPS to zero in to the summit position.  When we reached this point I checked the LIDAR summit co-ordinates and we were still 250 metres from the high point.  Mark soon input these figures and off we went through the heather toward the LIDAR summit; when there I quickly took a few photographs as the first scuds of wind blown rain hit us. 

The summit of Way Stone Edge

Thankfully I’d taken my storm proof brolly and this was soon up sheltering me from the rain as it swept across the hill.  Our downward route followed a boggy path beside a forlorn looking fence as it headed south-westward before claiming height over the small prominence bump of White Hill. 

The downward route with White Hill in the background

The rain was not constant with only two good scuds hitting us.  As we joined a part of the Pennine Way the path improved as it crossed the summit of White Hill, this eased passage back to the road and John’s awaiting car.  The cloud all round looked threatening, this gave us incentive to quicken our pace down the hill and we arrived back to the shelter of John’s car just before more rain set in.

Way Stone Edge proved a good wild hill to end up on and all that remained was the drive back to Burnley, followed by a welcome large mug of tea and a bite to eat before the drive back to Mark’s and my onward journey to Welshpool. 

 

Survey Result:

               

Way Stone Edge 

Summit Height:  481.6m (LIDAR)  

Summit Grid Reference:  SD 99956 14046 (LIDAR) (summit relocation)

Col Height:  387.8m (LIDAR)

Col Height:  399.6m (LIDAR, natural col)

Col Grid Reference:  SE 01975 09573 (LIDAR)

Col Grid Reference:  SE 02035 09664 (LIDAR, natural col) 

Drop:  93.9m (LIDAR)

Drop:  82.1m (LIDAR, using the natural col) (proposed Subhump deletion)

Dominance:  19.49% (LIDAR)

 

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet 

Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Way Stone Edge

 

14.04.26  Dog Hill (SE 003 170) 

Dog Hill (SE 003 170)

Today’s plan was to visit two hills either side of junction 22 on the M62 motorway.  The first of these was Dog Hill which is classified as a Four with 34.5m of drop derived from LIDAR analysis.

Mark and I had overnighted at John Kirk’s in Burnley, having met him the previous day at the White House pub and after a lunchtime meal we missed the heavy localised showers and visited Blake Moor (SD 971 212).  Blake Moor entailed about 7 miles mainly on good tracks beside reservoirs with the customary moor grass and heather ascent followed by a similar descent down to a good track beside another reservoir.  Today each walk would be shorter, and the two hills that Mark and John had planned for us to visit although close in proximity, were very different in nature, with Dog Hill a pleasant ascent on grass whilst Way Stone Edge (SD 999 140) proved an altogether more wild affair with copious amounts of heather and moor grass. 

The path leading up Dog Hill

Having John as our local guide always proves beneficial with good routes up and down the hills chosen, and today for Dog Hill he suggested a pleasant ascent from the south of the summit on what proved a delightful path. 

The beautifully coloured grassland 

We parked in a lay-by on the A672 road close to where it bisects the M62 motorway.  The path heading up the hill was on the opposite side of the road and continued up through a myriad of delicate swaying grass whose colour mesmerized in a simple beauty.  This time of year before the fresh green growth of late spring and summer has chance to dominate, the grass on moorland hills takes on a bleached affect where gentle yellows cascade across the land and today the colour was on a stunningly subtle display. 

Mark on the ascent with the M62 and Way Stone Edge as backdrop

Our route up eventually left the beautiful coloured grassland and gained height around the upper southerly bowl of the hill; stopping to admire the scene I photographed Mark following us up with the thin slither of cars heading over the moor on the M62 as backdrop with the higher Way Stone Edge (SD 999 140) beyond. 

John on the path on the upper southerly bowl of the hill 

We were soon on the summit which has a trig pillar with the high point of the hill about seven metres from its base.  I had used LIDAR to determine the height and drop of this hill when Aled and I recently updated the listing of The Fours – The 400m Hills of England, therefore although I’d brought the Trimble I had no intention of surveying the summit as LIDAR would suffice.  However, I did place the equipment on my rucksack for its customary summit photograph. 

The summit of Dog Hill

Leaving the summit we headed down on our inward path around the upper bowl of the hill and down through that beautifully coloured grassland with the buzz of the motorway dulled in the background.  Next stop the wild delights of Way Stone Edge. 

 

Survey Result: 

               

Dog Hill 

Summit Height:  434.9m (LIDAR)  

Summit Grid Reference:  SE 00313 17079 (LIDAR)

Col Height:  400.4m (LIDAR)

Col Grid Reference:  SD 98466 17076 (LIDAR) 

Drop:  34.5m (LIDAR)

Dominance:  7.93% (LIDAR)

 

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet

Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Way Stone Edge

 

13.04.26  Blake Moor (SD 971 212) 

Blake Moor (SD 971 212)

Over recent times, trips to the moors above Burnley have taken place twice a year; usually in April and October; one where the greenery and springs warmth is beginning and the other when autumnal colours are predominant.  As with most planned trips in Britain they are weather dependent and especially so for hill walking.  This visit was no different with heavy localised showers forecast for the first day of our two day visit and rain heading up from the south during the afternoon of our second day.

I drove to Mark’s and he then drove north to meet John outside the White House pub at the top of the A58 road.  On our way we had a detour in and around Rochdale to acquaint ourselves with the splendours of this town.  It’s always good to see Mr Kirk and once parked and the customary hand shakes and hugs were had, we were soon happily seated in the pub for a lunchtime meal.  Afterward it was time to visit the hill. 

Meeting place, meal and the start of our walk; the White House pub

Our chosen hill for the day was Blake Moor, which is typical of much of these hills as it’s dominated by open surrounds and consists of heather and moor grass, with an occasional rock outcrop adding interest.  After our meal I quickly got my walking boots on and headed up the road and through a gate to join the good track leading northward beside the Blackstone Edge Reservoir. 

Our inward track

If not for this track and its continuation the hill would be a wild affair with much heather and no doubt bog to walk through.  However, the track gave a semblance of serenity to the surrounds as it made its way north leaving the first reservoir before joining the next three; these are the Little Hazzles Reservoir where a pair of Canada Geese croaked their annoyance of vacating their spot on the track as we approached.  The other two are the White Holme Reservoir which we visited on our downward route and the most northerly; the Warland Reservoir. 

One of the Canada Geese

I’d set off wearing trousers and light fleece coat but the open skies with blue and intermittent cloud meant I was soon over heating.  By now John had caught me up and as we waited for Mark I took the opportunity to convert my trousers to shorts.  Waiting beside one of the reservoirs proved a welcome few minutes rest before we continued toward the southern edge of the Warland Reservoir, here we followed the continuation of the thin ribbon of water that constitutes the Little Hazzles Reservoir, before leaving the welcome confines of the track and heading up in to heather and moor grass for a direct approach toward the high point of Blake Moor. 

John on the green track beside the Little Hazzles Reservoir

By now dark grey shower cloud was massing to our east, with little wind the showers were no doubt slow moving.  As the track petered out we followed a semblance of a path as it headed up on to the higher moor.  The high point of Blake Moor is approximately 200 metres south-eastward from a triangulation pillar, which had been a prominent white indicator on the horizon during much of our inward walk.  We were soon on the top with much of the hill consisting of the customary moor grass and heather. 

Heading for the summit

As this hill had been LIDAR’ed I had no intention of Trimbling it, but still placed the survey equipment on top of my rucksack on the high point of the hill for the customary summit photograph. 

The summit of Blake Moor

We debated heading back the same way, but decided on following a fence roughly south-east down to the eastern end of the White Holme Reservoir, with a path on the western side of the fence giving encouragement for a relatively easy downward route.  This would also give us a circular walk instead of the there and back option. 

On the track beside the White Holme Resrvoir

By the time we reached the track on the southern edge of the expanse of water I was in head down and plodding mode.  We only stopped occasionally, for me this was to take a photo looking across the waters or toward the distant hazy spires of Manchester which stood out on the horizon. 

The distant spires of Manchester

By now my two colleagues were slowly pulling ahead leaving me to my own devices.  Initially I was in no particular hurry, although the threatening build up of late afternoon deep grey shower cloud made me quicken my pace, with the easterly mass of cloud still lingering, but now showers were breaking out closer to where we were.

I made it back to the awaiting cars where John and Mark were getting their boots off, dry from any threatening rain and happy in the knowledge that another hill had been visited and partially explored. 

   

Survey Result: 

               

Blake Moor 

Summit Height:  420.9m (LIDAR)  

Summit Grid Reference:  SD 97191 21217 (LIDAR)

Col Height:  382.4m (LIDAR)

Col Grid Reference:  SD 96557 19725 (LIDAR) 

Drop:  38.5m (LIDAR)

Dominance:  9.14% (LIDAR)

 

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet 

Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Pendle

 

22.10.25  Soil Hill (SE 076 313) 

The track leading toward the summit of Soil Hill (SE 076 313)

Hills come in all manner of shapes and sizes.  Many are wonderful inventions of nature with eloquent spires reaching skyward and plunging drops below.  Others are tranquil in their profile, adding a semblance of peace to their shape.  Some in Britain can be quick affairs to visit whilst others afford a whole day’s endeavours.  There are few hills that do not leave a good impression.  Sadly Spoil Hill is one.

I suppose our chosen route of ascent from a high narrow road up a green track leading to a high mast didn’t add much quality to our experience of the hill.  But, even though the green track, which we were on for only the fleetest of fleeting moments was rather nondescript, it was much better compared to what we encountered on the summit.  This is a bi-product of mans disposal efforts and seems to have increased in height over recent years with the debris of all manner of stuff poking up out of the rather apt summit soil. 

The Trimble GeoXH 6000 on the summit of Soil Hill

There’s not much more I can say really.  Thankfully during our walk, and considering how many heavy showers were still lingering, we remained relatively dry, which helped.  I did get a photo of the Trimble perched on top of my rucksack, although I had no intention of gathering summit data, as LIDAR would be sufficient and a lunchtime meal called. 

John and Mark heading down from the summit

It was good to bag another summit; it did have extensive views from its top and it was good to be out on the hill, but otherwise it was a summit that will not linger in my memory for anything else except for its ability not to make a good impression. 

 

Survey Result: 

 

Soil Hill 

Summit Height:  408.8m (LIDAR) (significant height revision)  

Summit Grid Reference:  SE 07680 31368 (LIDAR)

Col Height:  348.6m (LIDAR)

Col Grid Reference:  SE 06547 31672 (LIDAR) 

Drop:  60.2m (LIDAR)

Dominance:  14.72% (LIDAR)

 

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet