Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Stiperstones

 

06.10.25  Corndon (SO 305 969, previously Trimbled) and Lan Fawr (SO 297 967, previously Trimbled) 

Corndon (SO 305 969) on left and Lan Fawr (SO 297 967) on right

The passing of seasons is emphasised amongst the hills, with colour and temperature change.  When the greenness of summer subtly changes to those rusted autumnal colours and summer warmth giving way to chilled temperatures when extra layers of clothing give comfort.

It seemed the summer still lingered as I headed up the narrow road leading to the small community of Priest Weston, with greened grasing fields and iridescent blue sky heralding what would no doubt be a chilled evening ahead.

We had a plan, we being me and Abi.  Abi was soon leaving the mid Wales countryside for a job in inner city Manchester and having not seen one another for awhile we arranged to meet on the hill for a catch up.  As Abi finished work at 5.00pm meeting on a local hill was a necessity and Corndon was ideal, with the added bonus of Lan Fawr being close and on our planned route.  It also gave me an opportunity to start before Abi and gain height at a leisurely pace before the quickness of youth caught me up.

Although the weather bode well for our walk, the forecast gave high cloud to push in from the west as dusk darkened.  Therefore, the forecast stilled that enthusiasm for the prospect of a beautiful sunset.  But that wasn’t the priority, it was just good to be out on the hill with the prospect of seeing Abi and catching up with life and related stuff.

Corndon can be quickly ascended via its broad western flank following a fence line that is unrelenting in steepness.  This was our preferred route and I hoped that setting off at 5.00pm would give me a good 30 minutes start on Abi before she was expected to arrive and follow me up with Jake the dog.

I parked just off the narrow road at the start of the track that heads up to the bwlch between Corndon and Lan Fawr.  I’d used this route on a number of occasions and knew it could be a lung buster, with stops on route during the steep bit advisable. 

Corndon from the track

Walking up the track I peered up toward the fence line leading to the summit of Corndon, it seemed no one else was on the hill.  I always enjoy meeting people on the hill, but solitude gives quietness and time to reflect, both on life and also on surroundings.  There’s a quality to hill walking that is hard to define, it gives time for thought, and as I wandered up the track my mind did likewise, not concentrating on any particular thing but opening up to the beauty and simple things close by.  For me this on many occasions can be the radiance of colour, and late afternoon sunlight at this time of year can give a wealth of beauty, from enhanced greens and blues to those subtle grey hues as wisps of cloud gently enhance a deepening colored sky. 

Lan Fawr

By now I was at the gate leading toward the steep bit.  This consists of three sections; the first up open hill to the corner of woodland.  The second section is beside the forestry and the last is beyond the trees to the summit.  Reaching the end of each gives a point to aim for and that all wanted rest.  It also gave time to look back down to the rack and try and spot any sign of Abi and Jake the dog. 

The gate leading to the steep bit

As I neared the summit wisps of cloud slowly danced above the elongated landmass of Cefn Digoll.  Their colour delighted.  To the west the giants of Cadair Idris, the Aran and Berwyn were obscured by murk, so no dramatic sunset was going to be savoured, but as the sun disappeared behind high cloud tinges of golds interspersed amongst the customary whites and greys gave an appealing scene.

The view down the steep bit

 

Wisps of cloud above Cefn Digoll

By now a small figure had appeared beside the fence making their way up in my direction.  The next time I stopped and looked down I spotted they had a dog with them.  It was Abi, and our timing was perfect, as when I reached the trig point on the summit I just had enough time to put my fleece coat on, take a photo of the cairn and trig and make my way back to the top of the fence and there they were; Jake happily leading Abi up the last section toward the summit of Corndon. 

The summit of Corndon

Abi and Jake nearing the summit

It was good to see Abi and especially so on a hill.  One quick hug and lots of catch up and we were soon debating what path to follow for the descent.  Abi suggested the path leading south-eastward toward an ancient cairn that we could see off into the gathering dusk.  From the summit I usually follow a fence that at one time indicated the perimeter of the forestry that for many years obstructed the summit view.  Thankfully this section of forest has now been felled, this route led steeply down to the top of the track opposite the bulk of Lan Fawr, Abi’s suggested route arrived at the same spot, but was much gentler on the knees and proved ideal.  It also gave opportunity to remain high on the hill for another five to ten minutes.  By the time we accessed our onward route through a gate the sun had disappeared and the calming beauty of dusk quickly took the land. 

The last lingering sunlight

The route beyond the gate followed a wide green path leading us down to the continuation of our incoming track.  On our way we chatted about all manner of things.  Arriving at the track the gate leading to Lan Fawr was locked, which it has been on all my previous visits.  Abi decided to take Jake further down the track to find an easier way for him to cross, leaving me to clamber over the gate and slowly head up Lan Fawr. 

Moon rise

My walks usually take place in the morning, gaining height before the heat of the day.  Therefore, I am seldom on the hill at dusk.  However, being here at this moment was both novel and immensely rewarding, with the darkening silhouette of Lan Fawr ahead and glimmers of lights off in the distance my only companions.  It all felt rather mesmerising.

Nearing the top two friendly faces suddenly appeared looking back down on me.  Abi and Jake had beaten me to the summit having found where the perimeter fence ends giving them a direct route to the top.  We only lingered for a few minutes before reversing our inward routes, Abi came partly down the hill toward the gate before vanishing with Jake into the darkness heading back to the end of the fence, whilst I continued and waited for her on the track beside the gate.  Soon I heard the quiet rhythmic sound of gathering footsteps on the graveled track; these soon neared and out of the darkened dusk Abi and Jake reappeared.

All that remained was a contented walk back down the track to our awaiting cars.  Our eyes had by now become adjusted to the dark and although we had torches the descent on the track was ideal at this time of day, reaching my car at 7.40pm, saying bi bi to Abi and waving her off in to the darkness. 

 

Survey Result: 

 

Corndon  

Summit Height:  513.6m (converted to OSGM15, average of two previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 surveys)

Summit Grid Reference:  SO 30599 96922 (from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Bwlch Height:  310.5m (converted to OSGM15, from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SO 32519 99517 (from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Drop:  203.0m

Dominance:  39.54%

 

 

Lan Fawr  

Summit Height:  426.1m (converted to OSGM15, from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Summit Grid Reference:  SO 29711 96759 (from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey) 

Bwlch Height:  392.6m (LIDAR)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SO 29966 96784 (LIDAR)

Drop:  33.5m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

Dominance:  7.86% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

 

 

For details on the bwlch survey of Corndon

 

For details on the 1^st summit survey of Corndon and the survey of Lan Fawr

 

For details on the 2^nd visit to Lan Fawr

 

For details on the 2^nd summit survey of Corndon and the 3^rd visit to Lan Fawr

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet

Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Stiperstones

 

26.08.21  Roundton Hill (SO 294 949, previously Trimbled) and Brithdir Hill (SO 298 951, previously Trimbled) 

Brithdir Hill (SO 298 951)

I enjoy my days out with Mark; they give an unrushed feeling, a time for conversation as well as visiting the hill.  For today he had suggested a circuit of Todleth Hill, Roundton Hill and Brithdir Hill.  These three hills are outliers of Corndon with Roundton Hill a particularly fine hill. 

I had surveyed each in August 2020, so for me this was going to be an unencumbered walk with no surveying, although the Trimble was carried as we had earlier visited Hargrave Bank (SJ 310 091) and surveyed it and the Trimble is not insured to leave in a car. 

The weather pattern for the last week gave murky grey mornings with cloud breaking around midday and the sun making an appearance early afternoon, and today was similar.  We had caught up with all manner of things over a coffee in my back garden before heading toward Hargrave Bank.  After surveying its summit and col we headed back to our cars and drove toward Churchstoke, parking at the Nature Reserve below the steep south-westerly face of Roundton Hill. 

By the time we set off on the good path out of the car park blue sky and warm sunshine greeted us.  When I had combined Todleth Hill with Roundton Hill I had headed down to the narrow lane to their north and used this to head for the latter hill’s connecting bwlch with its higher neighbour of Brithdir Hill.  Although this gave a relatively easy ascent the one we chose today was much more rewarding. 

Heading up the hill

Whilst on the path we found a number of inviting blackberries, although most had not matured, but still, an odd one or two definitely helped proceedings.  In its lower section the path ascends a steep field before swinging around the western flank of the hill and narrowing.  The path continues to gain height past an assortment of undergrowth, all shielding steep drops, until it brings you out on to open hillside.  It’s a wonderful way up the hill.  The path continues on the steep upper slopes of Roundton Hill, by now I was begging for a rest, but persisted, slowly following Mark as he made steady progress toward the summit. 

Taking in the view

Nearing the summit of Roundton Hill

When I reached the top I lay on the ground and contemplated never getting up again.  It was lovely just to stop and regain my breath.  It was now a beautiful late afternoon with gorgeous colour accentuated by a slowly sinking sun.  In the distance, Corndon and Lan Fawr invitingly beckoned, whilst nearer at hand, Brithdir Hill was framed by protruding rocks just a short distance below.  Once I had regained my breath the scene was captivating.  The hills are wonderful places to visit, they give solace and on many occasions moments that will linger in one’s memory for many months to come. 

Lan Fawr and Corndon

Leaving the summit of Roundton Hill we followed the path, this time down steep slopes and over the connecting bwlch with Brithdir Hill, with the Trimble giving the latter just 0.7m higher than Roundton Hill.  Although Brithdir Hill is slightly higher, it is its lower neighbour that is the better hill. 

Roundton Hill from the ascent of Brithdir Hill

A path continues toward the top of Brithdir Hill which is crowned by an embedded rock.  We stopped here for a few moments before reversing our route back to the connecting bwlch.  From here we descended direct down the high valley to connect with our initial upward path.  The walk had taken 1hr 50mins and proved an ideal way to end the hill visiting part of the day.  Once back at the cars I quickly changed and we drove to Welshpool and The Raven for our 6.15pm table for two. 

Meals at the end of a day on the hill are a lovely way to relax, and this meal was particularly good, sitting outside in early evening sunshine with good company, good food and good conversation, a very enjoyable day indeed! 

 

Survey Result: 

 

Roundton Hill  

Summit Height:  370.4m (converted to OSGM15, from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Summit Grid Reference:  SO 29408 94952 (from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Bwlch Height:  327.0m (converted to OSGM15, from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SO 29531 95067 (from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Drop:  43.4m (from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Dominance:  11.72% (from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

 

 

Brithdir Hill (significant name change)  

Summit Height:  371.1m (converted to OSGM15, from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Summit Grid Reference:  SO 29863 95157 (from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Bwlch Height:  312.8m (LIDAR)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SO 29966 95737 (LIDAR)

Drop:  58.4m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

Dominance:  15.73% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

 

 

For details on the survey of Roundton Hill and Brithdir Hill

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Stiperstones

31.08.20  Todleth Hill (SO 288 945), Roundton Hill (SO 294 949), Brithdir Hill (SO 298 951), Cefn Top (SO 317 953), Pen y Mirth (SO 319 948) and Castle Hill (SO 314 945)  

Roundton Hill (SO 294 949)

Having visited Corndon and Lan Fawr two days ago, I was enthused with the prospect of visiting their adjacent P30s.  I’d only been on these hills once before in January 2004 and remember them giving a good circuit and outside of the steep sided and popular Roundton Hill, the land is seldom visited by the hill walker.

I was parked and walking up the narrow lane leading through the small community of Hurdley by 8.15am.  A public footpath led up valley between the steepening slopes of Todleth Hill to the west and Roundton Hill to the east.  The valley was still in shade with dew soaked grass heralding the first sign of impending autumn.  Above, the two summits cast colour as the early morning sun spread across their tops from the east.

Approaching Todleth Hill

I followed another public footpath up through a wood toward the higher southerly flank of my first hill of the day; Todleth Hill.  Numerous blackberries tempted me to stop and indulge in breakfast, but I concentrated on reaching the open hillside above and continuing the short distance to the grassed summit area.

Roundton Hill from the ascent of Todleth Hill

Soon the Trimble was set-up atop my rucksack gathering data.  With the offset noted between its internal antenna and the ground at its base, I stood away from the equipment as it gathered its individual datum points and soaked in the scene with the steep south-westerly slopes of Roundton Hill looking particularly daunting.

Gathering data at the summit of Todleth Hill

Once the equipment had gathered and stored its allotted data, I closed it down, packed it away and headed down the grassed northern slopes toward the hill’s connecting bwlch, which is positioned on the narrow lane close to houses in the small community of Old Churchstoke.

All was quiet as I quickly assessed the lay of land, with the hill to hill traverse and valley to valley traverse meeting on the road.  I quickly set the Trimble up and hoped that no passing vehicle would demolish it and my rucksack.  Considering its set-up position it achieved the 0.1m accuracy level before data should be logged remarkably quickly and I patiently waited for five minutes of data to be gathered and stored.  During this all was quiet and thankfully no vehicles appeared.

Gathering data at the bwlch of Todleth Hill

The continuation of the narrow lane first led downhill and then up toward a point that I could access the open hillside to my east which led directly to the bwlch between Roundton Hill and its 1m map heighted higher neighbour of Brithdir Hill.  The bwlch consists of grass and today it had a few sheep nonchalantly munching in the early morning sunshine.

I assessed the lay of land at the bwlch from a number of directions, and having judged where its critical point lay, I set the Trimble up for another five minute data collection.  During which I stood and looked up to Roundton Hill, this hill is impressive with steep sides and a series of small crags with a profile that is easily distinguished from afar.

Gathering data at the bwlch of Roundton Hill

Once the Trimble was packed away I followed the path from the bwlch as it wound its way up to the high point of Roundton Hill.  After setting the Trimble up I walked back down a section of the path and took a series of photos looking out toward Corndon, Lan Fawr and my next hill; Brithdir Hill.  All looked inviting, bathed in delicate morning colour.

Lan Fawr on the left and Corndon on the right from Roundton Hill

After closing the Trimble down I had a quick look at the panoramic viewfinder close to the summit and walked toward the steepening drop to look down on Todleth Hill.  I was surprised that on such a beautiful bank holiday Monday morning no one, except for me, was on the hill.  However, the solitude and view were to be savoured.

Todleth Hill from Roundton Hill

I doubled back for my next hill, over the bwlch I had just surveyed and up the continuation of a green track bi-passing gorse on the way.  The summit of Brithdir Hill consists of an attractive small embedded rock.  The Trimble was soon set-up aligned with its high point gathering data.

Gathering data at the summit of Brithdir Hill

My onward route now took me across country via Barry Llewelyn at Brithdir Farm.  This farm is directly below the summit I had just Trimbled and soon I was rounding the corner toward its front gate, at the same time Barry was walking down the path toward the gate, our unexpected meeting made us both jump.

Barry’s family have farmed from Brithdir since the 1860s and he named many of the hills in the surrounding area, including Cefn Top which he rents, and which was my next hill on the walk.  I spent a number of minutes with Barry and enjoyed our time together.  Thanking him for his time I headed down the farm’s access track on to another narrow lane which took me all the way to the next bwlch, which connects with Cefn Top.

Barry Llewelyn at Brithdir farm

This bwlch is positioned just off the narrow lane through a gate and close to another, with copious amounts of nettles close by.  As the Trimble gathered its allotted data I stood close to a tree and felt the morning’s exertions starting to catch up with me.

Brithdir Hill from the approach to Cefn Top

The summit of Cefn Top was close by, and a green track led through a gate close to where I had accessed its bwlch, and from here up toward its summit.  The Tithe map names the upper field as Long Top, an apt name, as from the direction I approached; the upper part of the hill has a long flattish top.  I took two data sets, with the second my favoured position for its summit.

Gathering data at the summit of Cefn Top with Corndon in the background

Leaving the summit dappled cloud cast shadow across the hills; flashes of late summer colour accentuated the shadowed parts of hillside.  It was a joy to be out on such a day.  Quietness pervaded the land.  However, what I encountered at the next bwlch broke any semblance of peacefulness. 

The next bwlch connected with the penultimate hill of the day, with an earthen track leading across a field, where a friendly herd of grazing cows showed interesting in my surveying activities.  They heralded my arrival with a chorus of extremely loud mooing, with one cow after another giving voice.  This reverberated around an otherwise quiet and isolated spot for many minutes.  During data collection I sat under a tree and smiled at the scene.

Gathering data at the bwlch area of Pen y Mirth

A slow plod uphill led me to the next summit which is crowned by a field boundary and a misshapen Ash tree.  I set the Trimble up directly over the high point on top of a fence post and waited for the 0.1m accuracy level to be achieved.  This position was enclosed and directly under the tree.  I decided after waiting for about 20 minutes to reposition the equipment on a part of the tree, and proceeded to gather data. 

At the summit of Pen y Mirth

My onward route took me down across a large field on to a track leading through forestry to the lane beside Yew Tree Farm, where I called and chatted with the farmer for 15 minutes or so.

I had one hill left to visit, and the farmer at Yew Tree Farm directed me to the best route toward it.  This hill is named Castle Hill and consists of an old Motte and Bailey.  I took two data sets from its summit area, sitting during both, relaxing in the quiet surrounds and tempted by more blackberries.

Gathering data at the summit of Castle Hill

I considered surveying Castle Hill’s connecting bwlch, but on inspection the field where I judged it to be positioned had a large herd of cows in it.  Happy with just the summit having been surveyed I headed down the steep sides of the upper hill to the Church below and the lane next to it, toward a series of footpaths leading me back toward Hurdley.

I suffered on the way back, partly through the warmth of the afternoon, but also because some of the footpaths did not seem to exist on the ground and therefore I spent much of the time wandering through thick grassed fields aiming toward where I thought I should be going.

Eventually I reached the small community of Hurdley and a few minutes later, my car, having been on the hill for over eight hours, with eleven surveys completed, six hills visited and another local name; Cefn Top, documented. 

LIDAR image of Castle Hill (SO 314 945)

Postscript 

Since visiting these hills full LIDAR coverage is now available.  The LIDAR (Light Detection & Ranging) technique produced highly accurate height and positional data that is now freely available for England and Wales.  Consequently the numerical details for these hills have been analysed using this technique, resulting in the LIDAR height and position being prioritised for some of these hills.

Survey Result:

Todleth Hill 

 

Summit Height:  310.7m (converted to OSGM15)

Summit Grid Reference:  SO 28890 94518

Bwlch Height:  246.5m (converted to OSGM15)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SO 28828 95012

Drop:  64.2m

Dominance:  20.65%

Roundton Hill 

 

Summit Height:  370.4m (converted to OSGM15)

Summit Grid Reference:  SO 29408 94952

Bwlch Height:  327.0m (converted to OSGM15)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SO 29531 95067

Drop:  43.4m

Dominance:  11.72%

Brithdir Hill (significant name change) 

 

Summit Height:  371.1m (converted to OSGM15, Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Summit Grid Reference:  SO 29863 95157 (Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Bwlch Height:  312.8m (LIDAR)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SO 29966 95737 (LIDAR)

Drop:  58.4m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

Dominance:  15.73% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

Cefn Top (significant name change) 

 

Summit Height:  354.4m (converted to OSGM15)

Summit Grid Reference:  SO 31764 95334

Bwlch Height:  313.2m (converted to OSGM15)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SO 31502 95512

Drop:  41.2m

Dominance:  11.62%

Pen y Mirth (significant name change) 

 

Summit Height:  332.2m (converted to OSGM15, Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Summit Grid Reference:  SO 31947 94840 (Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Bwlch Height:  299.4m (LIDAR)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SO 31822 94926 & SO 31827 94935 (LIDAR)

Drop:  32.7m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

Dominance:  9.86% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

Castle Hill 

 

Summit Height:  283.2m (converted to OSGM15, Trimble GeoXH 6000) (significant height revision)

Summit Grid Reference:  SO 31430 94540 (Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Bwlch Height:  258.6m (LIDAR)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SO 31415 94604 (LIDAR)

Drop:  24.6m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch) (200m Sub-Twmpau addition)

Dominance:  8.70% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

For details on the 2nd visit to Roundton Hill and Brithdir Hill

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet