Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Cowpe Moss

 

03.04.25  Cowpe Lowe (SD 823 206) 

Cowpe Lowe (SD 823 206)

This was the last of three hills visited during our stay at John Kirk’s house in Burnley, and it proved a fine hill to end our visit on.  Cowpe Lowe is relatively steep sided as it rises above the Rossendale Valley.  It was this valley that we approached from, having parked in the small community of Waterfoot and to be instantly greeted by an extremely friendly dog that stood up with its front paws on an intervening fence as we exited John’s car. 

Garage door and houses in Waterfoot

Sometimes in life it’s good to keep a map in its case in the rucksack and forget direction and navigation and be solely reliant upon your local guide who conveniently leads the way for you to follow.  In this instance the route was not difficult, but it’s still good to turn ones attention to the ground immediately in front and the ever expanding view behind.  This form of walking is especially good when the day is set fine, and today was such an example with blue skies above, although the easterly wind was adding a chilled feeling to proceedings. 

Houses in Waterfoot

Our route took us past a block of narrow dark stoned upright houses before swinging up the hill on a track leading to a farm.  The steep track continued beyond, now rutted through use and no doubt water flow when the weather is inclement, today it was dry and dusty with hedgerows blooming green and as height was gained; sky larks singing above.  It felt good to be out. 

The steep rutted track

The steepness of the rutted track eventually relented and gave way to an easier incline as its confines opened to high grazing fields as it contoured its way around the upper hill.  This led to a collapsed stone wall and gate which gave access to the open hill above. 

A gentler gradient contouring around the hill

Heading up the hill

Following another old stone wall for a few minutes took us up to options of narrow paths that led up the hill; all of which culminate at its high point which has a triangulation pillar proudly perched on top.  As we approached it was easy to distinguish that ground about two metres from its base was the highest and soon the Trimble was set up quietly beeping away collecting its individual datum points. 

Gathering data at the summit of Cowpe Lowe

During data collection John and Mark stood a safe distance away to the south so as not to disturb satellite reception.  I meanwhile scampered off to the north as the Trimble started to do its stuff, standing 50 metres of so away from it and scribbling all necessary detail in my surveying notebook.  Soon a figure approached on the path I had used to the top and where I was now standing.  I chatted to him as he arrived at my position and explained what I was doing and pointed to the Trimble as I did so, he kindly waited for three minutes as the equipment gathered the last few minutes of the five that is the norm for data collection.  He was on his lunch break and this was his usual daily exercise.  I thanked him for waiting as we headed toward the trig pillar, me to close the equipment down and him to walk around the trig and head back down the hill.  By the time the Trimble was packed away John and Mark were heading my way. 

The Trimble set-up position at the summit of Cowpe Lowe

We retraced our inward route back to the gate and partially collapsed stone wall where we stopped and sat sheltered from the wind to have a bite to eat.  During which a number of other walkers approached on the track from both directions, we said hello to all and conversed and laughed with many as they were told we were collecting hill walking tariffs, if they would like to contribute.

All that remained was to retrace our inward route back down the earthen track to the relative charm of Waterfoot and John’s awaiting car.  On our way back we stopped off to visit the Singing Ringing Tree.  This impressive sculpture was erected along with a series of other Panopticons between 2203 – 2007.  It stands a short distance from a car park, on the high moor overlooking Burnley.                                                               

John and Mark heading toward the Singing Ringing Tree

Standing beside it we caught the last startling direct light as the sun soon ventured behind high wisps of cloud.  It changed shape as I slowly walked around it and although a good easterly breeze blew it only made a few low toned noises today.  However, we were informed that when the wind really did blow it came in to its own and sang with all its might. 

The Singing Ringing Tree

Cowpe Lowe proved a fine hill to end our mini expedition on, with the added bonus of visiting the Singing Ringing Tree at the end, and I’m already looking forward to our next trip to Burnley planned for this upcoming September.

 

Survey Result:

 

Cowpe Lowe                              

Summit Height:  439.8m (converted to OSGM15, Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Summit Grid Reference:  SD 82346 20640 (Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Col Height:  403.3m (LIDAR)

Col Grid Reference:  SD 82735 20459 (LIDAR)

Drop:  36.4m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR col)

Dominance:  8.28% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR col) 

 

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet

 

 

Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Cowpe Moss

02.04.25  Brown Wardle (SD 898 186) 

Brown Wardle (SD 898 186)

After visiting Carr and Crags Moor (SD 893 251) John drove south through the town of Bacup and onward toward Whitworth where we found suitable parking for the start of our walk.  One of the delights of hill walking is venturing to places never previously visited, and this can apply to the areas driven through as well as the hill itself.  And on this particular drive the steep sided valleys of this part of the Pennines, with their dark stoned houses, many of which were terraced and packed closely together, were on show.  I thought it reminiscent of the south Wales valleys, but being more distinct due to the local stone and its darkened colour.

Our second and last hill of the day was Brown Wardle; this involved more ascent compared to our previous walk.  But with the weather set fine with clear blue skies we were in no particular rush.  We parked beside houses close to a steep paved road that soon turned in to a track and rose up toward Pot Oven Farm. 

The sign for Mid Longacres Farm

I now find that I only have one pace on the hill, and that is a gentle plod.  Thankfully, although the majority of the ascent was steep, it was done at a reassuredly gentle pace, with stops and chats on the way.  We soon passed the entrance to Mid Longacres Farm and continued up the track toward Pot Oven Farm.  Our route now left the track and headed toward a small gate and the open hillside above. 

Heading up the track toward Pot Oven Farm

A few paths on the grassland indicated a way up the hill; these joined nearing the high point to a more distinct path.  I put my head down and slowly gained height, only stopping occasionally to admire the view below. 

Heading up the upper part of the hill

The high point of Brown Wardle consists of a small mound about 40 metres from a prominent cairn.  As I neared the summit John pointed toward the north to the wind turbines atop Carr and Crags Moor; which had been our first hill of the day.  To our south were a series of shimmering monoliths, seemingly floating in the late afternoon haze, these were the inner city tower blocks and business premises of Manchester.  I made a mental note that I must take a photograph and regretfully forgot to do so as surveying the summit soon became the priority.

The summit area consisted of a number of small tussocks, and the ground at the base of any one could vie for the absolute high point of the hill.  To compensate for this I positioned the Trimble on a small flat rock which was level with the ground and proceeded to gather the customary five minutes of data. 

Gathering data at the summit Brown Wardle

During data collection John and Mark made their way partly down the hill.  When the last of the individual datum points were gathered and stored, I closed the equipment down, took a few photos, packed it away and headed down to where my surveying colleagues were patiently waiting.  We then retraced our inward route back to John’s car. 

Heading down toward Mark and John

All that remained was the drive back to John’s house and an evening consisting of good food and conversation, with Cowpe Lowe (SD 823 206) the last of our three planned hills waiting for us tomorrow. 

 

Survey Result:

 

Brown Wardle (significant name change)                            

Summit Height:  400.3m (converted to OSGM15, Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Summit Grid Reference:  SD 89820 18696 (Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Col Height:  349.9m (LIDAR)

Col Grid Reference:  SD 90044 19103 (LIDAR)

Drop:  50.35m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR col)

Dominance:  12.58% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR col) 

 

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet 

Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Cowpe Moss

 

02.04.25  Carr and Crags Moor (SD 893 251) 

Carr and Crags Moor (SD 893 251)

Last October Mark and I visited John Kirk to take in some of the moorland hills above Burney.  These visits are always enjoyable and afterward we set a date for early April to next visit.  Therefore, with the weather set fine, albeit with a forecast chilled easterly wind we headed north to the Pennine moors and John’s welcoming hospitality.

The hills to visit were picked by Mark, who had a number of Fours still to bag in this area.  Three hills were suggested, two of which entailed relatively short walks that could be combined in an afternoon, whilst the third was left for the following morning.

Our first hill was Carr and Crags Moor, which is positioned overlooking the Calder Valley to its north with the towns of Bacup to its south-west and Todmorden to its south-east.  As with many hills in this area it is an open moor consisting in the main of grassland.

With another walk planned for later in the afternoon John opted for the quickest ascent route.  With an approach from the south-west of the summit on a track leading to prominent wind turbines that have appeared on the hill since the publication of my Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure 1:25,000 map. 

The track leading up Carr and Crags Moor

Although the sky was blue and cloudless, it was a chilled afternoon with a strong easterly wind blowing across the hill.  The track led eastward across the southerly flank of the upper hill, before veering north-westward before descending.  It was here that we set out across the moor, which today was remarkably dry with hardly a sign of any wet bog.  This time of year can give beautiful colour on a hill consisting of grassland.  With it still bleached from its winter hibernation and before the greens of summer take over. 

Distinctly coloured grassland

It was only a short distance to the summit area of the hill, and with the aid of the Trimble used as a hand-held device we soon zeroed in to the ten figure summit grid reference produced by LIDAR analysis.  The high point was almost inconsequential compared to its surrounds, with Mark pointing out that this is one of those examples where the summit is not necessarily a singular point, but more so an area of land. 

Marker stone on the summit area of Carr and Crags Moor

Having set the Trimble up to gather data I waited patiently for it to attain the 0.1m accuracy level before data should be logged.  This took an age, during which John and Mark headed down the hill following a fence line toward the track.  Eventually the 0.1m figure appeared on the screen and I set it to gather five minutes of data. 

Gathering data at the summit of Carr and Crags Moor

After data collection I took a few photographs, packed the Trimble away and rejoined my surveying colleagues on the track for a leisurely walk back toward John’s awaiting car.  It had taken 1hr 5min for the walk and a large chunk of this was waiting for the Trimble to do its stuff.  It proved a fine start to our Burnley adventure. 

 

Survey Result:

 

Carr and Crags Moor               

Summit Height:  440.7m (converted to OSGM15, Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Summit Grid Reference:  SD 89386 25170 (Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Col Height:  402.4m (LIDAR)

Col Grid Reference:  SD 88655 25310 (LIDAR)

Drop:  38.3m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR col)

Dominance:  8.68% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR col) 

 

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet

 

Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Cowpe Moss

 

21.10.24  Thieveley Pike (SD 871 271) 

Thieveley Pike (SD 871 271)

With the weather set fine Mark and I headed north to the wild surrounds of Burnley.  We were visiting John Kirk for two days, someone neither of us had seen for quite some time.  Prior to our visit, Mark sent links to a number of hills he had not visited in this area, and it was these we would concentrate on.  This also applied to me, as I had not visited any of the hills in the vicinity of Burnley, although I had travelled over the moors from the Calder valley.  On that occasion the hills looked wild, with rough grass and open moor predominating.

It was good to see John again, and we were soon immersed in a lunchtime snack and catch up.  As the weather forecast gave settled and dry conditions we were in no particular rush to head to the hills and had a number to choose from that were on Mark’s bagging agenda.  Something short in distance and not too boggy was the order of the day, although John did warm us that the ground would be wet.  Thankfully I opted for my winter wellies, and was grateful that I did so.

Our first hill was Thieveley Pike, which forms the high point of a broad extended ridge that has the town of Bacup to its south and the western end of the Calder valley to its north. 

Heading for the hill

We parked just south of the summit of the hill, with John having driven.  This was just off the A671 on a corner that bisects a minor road.  It was only a short distance to the high point which suited our relatively late start and this gave opportunity to visit another hill afterward. 

On the path leading up to the broad summit ridge

A kissing gate gave access on to the moor.  Reed grass predominated hereabouts, with the boggy path heading up beside a partially collapsed stone wall and parallel to a fence.  As we gained height a breeze blew across the moor. 

Heading for the summit

Reaching the broad summit ridge we veered right.  It was only a short distance from here to the patch of green grass beside the trig pillar which marks the highest point of the hill.  The customary summit photographs were taken before I set the Trimble up atop my rucksack approximately three metres from the base of the trig, on what we considered the summit of the hill.  Once the measurement offset was taken between its internal antenna and the ground at its base, the equipment was set up to gather data. 

Gathering data at the summit of Thieveley Pike

Five minutes later I closed the equipment down, took a few photos, and packed it away.  We then reversed our inward route down the hill.  Just over an hour from leaving the car we were back standing beside it, which considering our leisurely pace and the 10 – 15 minutes at the summit wasn’t bad.

 

Survey Result:

 

Thieveley Pike                           

Summit Height:  449.5m (converted to OSGM15, Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Summit Grid Reference:  SD 87175 27121 (Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Col Height:  393.8m (LIDAR)

Col Grid Reference:  SD 88939 24381 (LIDAR)

Drop:  55.7m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR col)

Dominance:  12.39% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR col)  

 

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet