Mapping Mountains – Summit Relocations – 200m Twmpau

 

Moel y Crio (SJ 199 696) 

There has been a Summit Relocation to a hill that is listed in the 200m Twmpau, with the summit height, bwlch height and their locations, the drop and status of the hill derived from a Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey conducted by Myrddyn Phillips with assistance from Mark Trengove.

 

Moel y Crio (SJ 199 696)

The criteria for the list that this summit relocation applies to are: 

200m Twmpau – Welsh hills at or above 200m and below 300m in height that have 30m minimum drop, with an accompanying sub list entitled the 200m Sub-Twmpau, with the criteria for this sub category being all Welsh hills at or above 200m and below 300m in height with 20m or more and below 30m of drop, with the word Twmpau being an acronym standing for thirty welsh metre prominences and upward.

 

The 200m Twmpau by Myrddyn Phillips

The name the hill is listed by is Moel y Crio, and it is adjoined to the Moel y Gamelin group of hills, which are situated in the north-eastern part of North Wales (Region A, Sub-Region A2), and it is positioned encircled by minor roads with the B5123 road farther to its east, and has the town of Yr Wyddgrug (Mold) towards the south-east. 

When the original 200m height band of Welsh P30 hills were published on Geoff Crowder’s v-g.me website, this hill was not included in the Hills to be surveyed sub list, as it was considered not to meet the criteria then used for this sub category. 

After the sub list was standardised, and interpolated heights and drop values also included the details for this hill were re-evaluated and it was listed with an estimated c 14m of drop, based on the 292m summit spot height that appears on the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map at SJ 20083 69520 and an estimated c 278m bwlch height, based on interpolation of 5m contouring between 275m – 280m that appear on the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map.

 

Extract from the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map

However, it was not until the Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey that the details for this hill could be accurately re-assessed.  The summit height produced by this survey is 297.5m and is positioned at SJ 19988 69614, and this comes within the parameters of the Summit Relocations used within this page heading, these parameters are: 

The term Summit Relocations applies to when the high point is positioned in a different field, to a different feature such as a conifer plantation, within a different map contour, a different point where a number of potential summit positions are within close proximity, when natural ground or the natural and intact summit is confirmed compared to a higher point such as a raised field boundary or covered reservoir that is considered a relatively recent man-made construct, or a relocation of approximately 100 metres or more in distance from either the position of a map spot height or from where the summit of the hill was previously thought to exist.

 

The Trimble GeoXH 6000 gathering data at the summit of Moel y Crio

Therefore, the summit height produced by the Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey is 297.5m and this is positioned at SJ 19988 69614, this position is not given a spot height on the contemporary Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 Landranger and 1:25,000 Explorer map, and is approximately 105 metres north-westward from where the previously listed summit is positioned. 

 

The full details for the hill are:

Group:  Moel y Gamelin 

Name:  Moel y Crio 

OS 1:50,000 map:  116

Summit Height:  297.5m (converted to OSGM15) 

Summit Grid Reference (New Position):  SJ 19988 69614 

Bwlch Height:  276.8m (converted to OSGM15) 

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SJ 20406 69385 

Drop:  20.7m

 

Myrddyn Phillips (September 2022)

 

 

 

 

Mapping Mountains – Significant Height Revisions – 200m Twmpau

 

Moel y Crio (SJ 199 696) 

There has been a Significant Height Revision to a hill that is listed in the 200m Twmpau, with the summit height, bwlch height and their locations, the drop and status of the hill derived from a Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey conducted by Myrddyn Phillips with assistance from Mark Trengove.

 

Moel y Crio (SJ 199 696)

The criteria for the list that this height revision applies to are:

200m Twmpau – Welsh hills at or above 200m and below 300m in height that have 30m minimum drop, with an accompanying sub list entitled the 200m Sub-Twmpau, with the criteria for this sub category being all Welsh hills at or above 200m and below 300m in height with 20m or more and below 30m of drop, with the word Twmpau being an acronym standing for thirty welsh metre prominences and upward. 

The 200m Twmpau by Myrddyn Phillips

The name the hill is listed by is Moel y Crio, and it is adjoined to the Moel y Gamelin group of hills, which are situated in the north-eastern part of North Wales (Region A, Sub-Region A2), and it is positioned encircled by minor roads with the B5123 road farther to its east, and has the town of Yr Wyddgrug (Mold) towards the south-east.

When the original 200m height band of Welsh P30 hills were published on Geoff Crowder’s v-g.me website, this hill was not included in the Hills to be surveyed sub list, as it was considered not to meet the criteria then used for this sub category.

After the sub list was standardised, and interpolated heights and drop values also included the details for this hill were re-evaluated and it was listed with an estimated c 14m of drop, based on the 292m summit spot height that appears on the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map at SJ 200 695 and an estimated c 278m bwlch height, based on interpolation of 5m contouring between 275m – 280m that appear on the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map.

Extract from the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map

However, it was not until the Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey that the details for this hill could be accurately re-assessed.  The summit height produced by this survey is 297.5m and is positioned at SJ 19988 69614, and this comes within the parameters of the Significant Height Revisions used within this page heading, these parameters are: 

The term Significant Height Revisions applies to any listed hill whose interpolated height and Ordnance Survey or Harvey map summit spot height has a 2m or more discrepancy when compared to the survey result produced by the Trimble GeoXH 6000 or analysis of data produced via LIDAR, also included are hills whose summit map data is missing an uppermost ring contour when compared to the data produced by the Trimble or by LIDAR analysis. 

The Trimble GeoXH 6000 gathering data at the summit of Moel y Crio

Therefore, the new listed summit height of this hill is 297.5m and this was derived from a Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey, this is 5.5m higher than the previously listed summit height of 292m, which was based on the spot height that appears on the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map.

 

ills of Wales, and are reproduced below@

The full details for the hill are:

Group:  Moel y Gamelin 

Name:  Moel y Crio 

OS 1:50,000 map:  116

Summit Height (New Height):  297.5m (converted to OSGM15) 

Summit Grid Reference:  SJ 19988 69614 

Bwlch Height:  276.8m (converted to OSGM15) 

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SJ 20406 69385 

Drop:  20.7m

 

Myrddyn Phillips (September 2022)

 

 

 

 

 

Mapping Mountains – Hill Reclassifications – The Welsh P15s

Moel y Crio (SJ 199 696) – Welsh Sub-P15 reclassified to Welsh P15

There has been a reclassification to the list of The Welsh P15s, with the summit height, bwlch height and their locations, the drop and status of the hill derived from a Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey conducted by Myrddyn Phillips with assistance from Mark Trengove.

 

Moel y Crio (SJ 199 696)

The criteria for the list that this reclassification applies to are: 

The Welsh P15s – Welsh hills with 15m minimum drop, irrespective of their height, with an accompanying sub list entitled the Welsh Sub-P15s, with the criteria for this sub category being all Welsh hills with 14m or more and below 15m of drop.  The list is authored by Myrddyn Phillips, with the Introduction to the list appearing on Mapping Mountains on the 10^th May 2019. 

The Welsh P15s by Myrddyn Phillips

The name the hill is listed by is Moel y Crio, and it is adjoined to the Moel y Gamelin group of hills, which are situated in the north-eastern part of North Wales (Region A, Sub-Region A2), and it is positioned encircled by minor roads with the B5123 road farther to its east, and has the town of Yr Wyddgrug (Mold) towards the south-east.

When the listing that became known as The Welsh P15s was being compiled, this hill was included in the P14 sub list with an estimated c 14m of drop, based on the 292m summit spot height that appears on the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map and an estimated c 278m bwlch height, based on interpolation of 5m contouring between 275m – 280m that appear on the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map.

 

Extract from the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map

However, it was not until this hill was surveyed with the Trimble GeoXH 6000 that an accurate height for both its summit and connecting bwlch, and hence its drop could be ascertained.

 

The Trimble GeoXH 6000 gathering data at the summit of Moel y Crio

The Trimble GeoXH 6000 gathering data at the bwlch of Moel y Crio

Therefore, the reclassification of this hill from Welsh Sub-P15 status is due to a Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey, resulting in a 297.5m summit height and a 276.8m bwlch height, with these values giving this hill 20.7m of drop, which is sufficient for it to be included in the main list of The Welsh P15s. 

 

The full details for the hill are: 

Group:  Moel y Gamelin 

Name:  Moel y Crio 

OS 1:50,000 map:  116

Summit Height:  297.5m (converted to OSGM15) 

Summit Grid Reference:  SJ 19988 69614 

Bwlch Height:  276.8m (converted to OSGM15) 

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SJ 20406 69385 

Drop:  20.7m 

 

Myrddyn Phillips (August 2022)

 

 

 

 

 

  

Mapping Mountains – Hill Reclassifications – 200m Twmpau

Moel y Crio (SJ 199 696) – 200m Sub-Twmpau addition

There has been an addition to the list of 200m Twmpau, with the summit height, bwlch height and their locations, the drop and status of the hill derived from a Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey conducted by Myrddyn Phillips with assistance from Mark Trengove. 

Moel y Crio (SJ 199 696)

The criteria for the list that this addition applies to are:

200m Twmpau – Welsh hills at or above 200m and below 300m in height that have 30m minimum drop, with an accompanying sub list entitled the 200m Sub-Twmpau, with the criteria for this sub category being all Welsh hills at or above 200m and below 300m in height with 20m or more and below 30m of drop, with the word Twmpau being an acronym standing for thirty welsh metre prominences and upward. 

The 200m Twmpau by Myrddyn Phillips

The name the hill is listed by is Moel y Crio, and it is adjoined to the Moel y Gamelin group of hills, which are situated in the north-eastern part of North Wales (Region A, Sub-Region A2), and it is positioned encircled by minor roads with the B5123 road farther to its east, and has the town of Yr Wyddgrug (Mold) towards the south-east.

When the original 200m height band of Welsh P30 hills were published on Geoff Crowder’s v-g.me website, this hill was not included in the Hills to be surveyed sub list, as it was considered not to meet the criteria then used for this sub category. 

Extract from the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map

After the sub list was standardised, and interpolated heights and drop values also included the details for this hill were re-evaluated and it was listed with an estimated c 14m of drop, based on the 292m summit spot height that appears on the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map and an estimated c 278m bwlch height, based on interpolation of 5m contouring between 275m – 280m that appear on the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer map.  This hill has now been accurately surveyed with the Trimble GeoXH 6000, resulting in its addition as a 200m Sub-Twmpau. 

The Trimble GeoXH 6000 gathering data at the summit of Moel y Crio

The Trimble GeoXH 6000 gathering data at the bwlch of Moel y Crio

Therefore, the addition of this hill to 200m Sub-Twmpau status is due to a Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey, resulting in a 297.5m summit height and a 276.8m bwlch height, with these values giving this hill 20.7m of drop, which is sufficient for it to be classified as a 200m Sub-Twmpau. 

 

The full details for the hill are: 

Group:  Moel y Gamelin 

Name:  Moel y Crio 

OS 1:50,000 map:  116

Summit Height:  297.5m (converted to OSGM15) 

Summit Grid Reference:  SJ 19988 69614 

Bwlch Height:  276.8m (converted to OSGM15) 

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SJ 20406 69385 

Drop:  20.7m 

 

Myrddyn Phillips (August 2022)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Moel y Gamelin

 

20.06.22  Copa’r Frân (SJ 206 703), Moel y Crio (SJ 199 696) and Moel y Gaer (SJ 210 690) 

Copa'r Frân (SJ 206 703)

The land between Mynydd Helygain in the north and Moel y Gaer in the south is relatively open with occasional houses and farms dotting the landscape.  This area has been mined extensively, mainly for lead and limestone, and it still has a working quarry positioned just to the west of the three hills we planned on visiting today.

I was out with Mark Trengove, who had suggested this walk.  During the restrictions imposed due to Covid-19, Mark had used Moel y Gaer as his go to hill, racking up a multitude of ascents in the process.  This whole area is dotted with greened paths snaking between copious amounts of undergrowth and it proved an enjoyable experience visiting these hills with Mark acting as the local guide.

As an evening meal was planned with Mark and Louise we left our walk until mid-afternoon, by which stage the weather had warmed giving clear heat with a beautiful blue sky above casting vivid colour across the land.

These hills are easily visited as a myriad of narrow lanes criss-cross the area.  We parked close to the small community of Catch and then sauntered over grass heading toward the high masts positioned near the summit of our first hill of the day.

Nearing the top, Mark directed me toward the summit and I soon had the Trimble set-up gathering data.  It was good to be back out on a hill, with a few weeks spent away doing other stuff.  Once data were safely gathered and stored I packed the equipment away and we headed down to the few houses that nestle just below the high point of the hill.  Here we met Tina Cook, who was heading out to collect her daughter from school.  Tina explained that her family is local and she had lived here for 30 years.  We asked about the hill and whether it was known by a name, Tina told us its name is Copa’r Frân, which is also the name of her house.  Thanking her for her time, we left heading south-westward, bi-passing the large compound housing the masts and used a series of green paths toward our second hill of the day. 

Gathering data at the summit of Copa'r Frân

By now the heat of the afternoon was building, this was partly welcome but also rather debilitating.  I was glad of our route which was not too taxing, as the thought of attempting any prolonged walk in these warm conditions was not one to savour. 

Moel y Crio from Copa'r Frân

En route to our next hill we called at a farm and spent the next 15 minutes or so talking with the farmer, who confirmed the name of Moel y Crio for our next hill and proceeded to give us a variety of anecdotes about the local area.  Leaving the farmer, Moel y Crio loomed above with its northern aspect festooned in gorse.  However, my local guide knew where the path was and we were soon plodding our way up steepening slopes to the open ground at its summit.  During data collection we sat on grass below the equipment so as not to disturb satellite reception and munched on an assortment of pick-n-mix. 

The path through the gorse leading to the summit of Moel y Crio

Gathering data at the summit of Moel y Crio

The bwlch for Moel y Crio was positioned between us and our third and last hill of the day; Moel y Gaer, and once the Trimble was packed away I followed Mark down the steep path to the greened land below.  A track crosses the area of the connecting bwlch and we were soon debating where its critical point was positioned.  Once decided upon the Trimble was soon set up gathering its third data set of the day. 

Gathering data at the bwlch of Moel y Crio

Leaving the bwlch I followed Mark as we joined up with a series of narrow paths heading toward a pool, before joining one of the main paths leading up Moel y Gaer.  This hill was definitely the highlight of the day and is a worthy inclusion in the list of The Huws – 100 Great Welsh Hills under 2,000ft. 

Heading toward Moel y Gaer

The area of the summit is enclosed by an impressive ancient embankment which we followed around its southern side.  From this vantage point the view was extensive with late afternoon light enhancing our surrounds. 

On the southerly part of the ancient embankment encircling the summit of Moel y Gaer

A path leads from the embankment detouring toward the summit which consists of an ancient tumulus.  This point was surveyed with the Leica 530 in May 2009 resulting in confirmation that the tumulus is the high point.  However, in 1979 a covered reservoir was built on the summit area and its high point was found to be 0.63m higher than that of the tumulus, but as this is a relatively recent man-made construct it is discounted from the summit height of the hill.

The Trimble was soon positioned aligned with the summit on top of my rucksack with the measurement offset between its internal antenna and the ground at its base noted, and as individual datum points were collected I sat with Mark, below the equipment looking out toward the expanse of Liverpool in the distance. 

Gathering data at the summit of Moel y Gaer

It was now time to head down and a green path led us back to the awaiting car.  It had taken three hours to complete the walk; it proved a leisurely affair in excellent walking country. 

 

Survey Result: 

 

Copa’r Frân  (significant name change)

Summit Height:  286.1m (converted to OSGM15, Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Summit Grid Reference:  SJ 20624 70354 (Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Bwlch Height:  265.7m (converted to OSGM15, Leica GS15)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SJ 20803 70065 (Leica GS15)

Drop:  20.4m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and Leica GS15 bwlch) (200m Sub-Twmpau addition)

Dominance:  7.12% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and Leica GS15 bwlch)

 

 

Moel y Crio

Summit Height:  297.5m (converted to OSGM15) (significant height revision)

Summit Grid Reference:  SJ 19988 69614 (summit relocation)

Bwlch Height:  276.8m (converted to OSGM15)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SJ 20406 69385

Drop:  20.7m (200m Sub-Twmpau addition) (Welsh Sub-P15 reclassified to Welsh P15)

Dominance:  6.96%

 

 

Moel y Gaer

Summit Height:  303.7m (converted to OSGM15, Leica 530) 303.8m (converted to OSGM15, Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Summit Grid Reference:  SJ 21065 69078 (Leica 530) SJ 21065 69078 (Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Bwlch Height:  176.2m (LIDAR)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SJ 11953 75033 & SJ 11953 75031 & SJ 11954 75028 & SJ 11953 75027 (LIDAR)

Drop:  127.4m (Leica 530 summit and LIDAR bwlch) 127.6m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

Dominance:  41.97% (Leica 530 summit and LIDAR bwlch) 41.99% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch) 

 

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet