Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Mynydd Epynt

18.05.25  Pen y Crug (SO 029 303) 

Pen y Crug (SO 029 303)

Hill celebrations are always wonderful occasions.  They are culminations of what for many people are years of ticking off hills in a list.  They are also occasions when old and new friends meet, and if combined with beautiful weather, as today was, they can be a shear joy to experience.

Today was the finish of Mark Trengove’s Welsh Hump completion.  For the uninitiated, a Hump is a 100m prominence hill.  There are 368 qualifying Welsh hills that meet this criterion and the one Mark had singled out for his last was Pen y Crug, which connects with the Mynydd Epynt group of hills.  Although much of this hill range is out of bounds due to a military training area, Pen y Crug is positioned on the southern periphery and well away from any out of bounds land.

I had been up the hill once before, in September 2017, when Lou and I ascended from the south-east on a good track that turned to a friendly green path leading up through the autumnal colour to the trig pillar that sits atop the summit.  On this day the tops of the higher Beacons were just skimmed with cloud, otherwise the hill gave excellent views.  Today the sky was an unadulterated blue with skylarks singing above and a welcome slight breeze cooling proceedings.  It was a perfect day for a hill celebration.

Mark drove from Mold to Welshpool, from where I then drove south to the car park at the base of the hill to its north.  This was close to its bwlch and gave me a chance to experience the hill from a different perspective and approach, which I always enjoy.

Our meeting time was midday and we arrived with 20 minutes to spare.  Soon cars started to appear, Rick and Jenny, Brent Lynam, Alex Cameron and Tony Jenkins soon arrived, followed by Barry Smith, Chris Bienkowski, Adrian Rayner and Keith Anderson.  It was good to see all, many who I had not seen for quite sometime.

I made an excuse to wander off to take a few photos of the hill, and asked Mark to keep everyone at bay for a few minutes; this gave me opportunity to head in to an adjacent field to get a few photographs, but also gave opportunity to gain a few minutes on everyone else and sneak away for a leisurely plod up the path leading to the open hillside above.

It felt good to be out in the sunshine, slowly wandering taking in the surrounds with skylarks singing, bees buzzing and bluebells and greenery all around, and all with the backdrop of the blue sky.  The path led up with greened hedgerows either side and manicured grazed fields beyond.  The enclosed path gave views directly toward the higher hill, which loomed above in a gently curved profile.

The path led to a gate which gave access to the open upper hill, from where an earthen dried path contoured up giving extended views past hillsides of bluebells to the light grayed ridges of the Black Mountains away to the east. 

The view east toward the Black Mountains

My pace was leisurely and all too soon I was caught by the throng of people following.  We soon crested the ridge that affords views south toward the higher Beacons.  Beyond the greened path led toward the ancient embankment and ditches that encircle the upper hill. 

I was soon caught up

Arriving at the summit we waited for Mark, who sauntered up behind us.  As he approached the high point there was a guard of honour waiting for him, with raised walking poles leading him over the summit of the hill toward the trig pillar.  He’d completed the Welsh Humps.  

Mark approaching the summit of Pen y Crug

All hill lists can take you on a journey to places that otherwise you would not visit; this is part of their appeal.  There is of course the small bonus that hills can afford tremendous experience and I’m sure the Welsh Humps have given Mark some excellent days on the hill. 

The guard of honour leading Mark to the summit

The next hour was one of those special occasions on the hill, with lots of conversation small glasses of Welsh whiskey, cake, strawberries and lots of nibbles and photos. 

Mark celebrating his completion of the Welsh Humps

During our time on the summit someone mentioned that Pen y Crug was also Adrian’s 7,000 Tump.  Another remarkable achievement and soon Adrian was beside the trig pillar kindly posing for a few photos.  He had kept this quiet, allowing for Mark’s celebration. 

Adrian at the summit of his 7,000th Tump

After we had finished off much of the celebratory food and drink things started to be packed away and as we waved Rick and Jen off down the hill, the rest of us followed ten minutes or so afterward. 

A nice touch brought by Mark for cake adornment

Leaving the summit we headed north down the upper part of the hill until connecting with the earthen ramparts, and then followed these around the hill, before connecting with our inward route and following this back down through the heat of the afternoon to the awaiting cars below. 

At the summit of Pen y Crug, from left to right we have; Bryher, Rick, Jenny, Barry, Alex, Keith, Adrian, Tony, Brent, Chris and Mark

It had been an excellent time on the hill and was rounded off with a visit to a pub on the outskirts of Brecon for a good meal and more interesting conversation. 

 

Survey Result:

 

Pen y Crug 

Summit Height:  331.2m (converted to OSGM15) (previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)  

Summit Grid Reference:  SO 02927 30312 (previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Bwlch Height:  219.9m (LIDAR)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SO 02162 30880 (LIDAR) 

Drop:  111.4m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch)

Dominance:  33.62% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR bwlch) (Lesser Dominant addition)

 

 

For details on the summit survey of Pen y Crug

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet 

Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Stiperstones

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

Triangulation pillars have adorned the tops of our hills for many years.  They were used for triangulating heights, however with their function complete they are now redundant, as photogrammetry and the use of GNSS have superseded in taking further height values.

Corndon (SO 305 969)

Although their reason for being is now redundant, they act as beacons signifying the summit of many a hill, which can be a welcome sight after a prolonged ascent.  As they are now redundant some are showing the ravages of time after facing years of battering winds and freezing temperatures.  However, there are a select few who venture out to help maintain trig pillars, and today I was invited by Alex Cameron to join him, Adrian Dust and Tony Jenkins to re-paint the triangulation pillar on top of Corndon; one of my local hills.

We met just to the north-west of the summit where a track leaves the narrow road and heads up toward the bwlch between Corndon and Lan Fawr; one of the outlying P30s adjoined to this compact group of hills.

Knowing that Alex, Dusty and Tony would no doubt catch me up, I set off a few minutes ahead of them.  Leaving the track for open steep hillside I plodded up as the view to the west ever opened up, with Cadair Idris, the Aran and the Y Berwyn all lined up on the horizon.  Soon the intrepid painters caught me up and I followed behind them for the remaining distance to the summit.

The view to the west as I'm quickly caught up

Once at the top Alex cleaned the trig pillar with a wire brush and then set about the paint job.  Whilst the first coat was applied I set the Trimble up aligned with the high point of the hill, which is a small protruding rock a few metres from the base of a large cairn and also the trig pillar.

Starting the process of re-painting the trig pillar

I’d previously surveyed the summit of Corndon in March 2015, but the opportunity to do so again was not to be missed, especially as we would be on the summit for around an hour.  Therefore, the Trimble could be set-up gathering data for as long as we were there.  Such a length of time is a rarity for my surveys as usually five minutes of data is gathered.

The Trimble GeoXH 6000 gathering data during the first summit survey of Corndon

By now the trig was looking extremely smart in its new whiter coat of paint, with two sides of the four complete with their first coat.  During the painting and gathering data process a number of people from various directions approached the summit.  A few asked whether we were employed by Ordnance Survey, one enquired about the Trimble, but the majority hunkered down with their sandwiches out of the brisk northern wind which chilled proceedings.

Starting on the last two sides of the trig

The first coat now complete, the painters tidied up a number of patches and applied a second coat.  The trig was now looking decidedly white and sparkled when direct sunlight hit it.

The finished trig pillar with (L-R) Tony Jenkins, Adrian Dust and Alex Cameron

I closed the Trimble down having gathered over 64 minutes of data, and all that remained were the customary photos to be taken and a walk down the southern ridge, swinging westward following a fence line and path to the bwlch between Corndon and Lan Fawr.  The latter is listed as a Pedwar and as we were near it we visited its summit which gives good views back toward its higher neighbour.

Lan Fawr from Corndon

A saunter back on the track to the awaiting cars, and push bike in Alex’s case, and a good conversation about all things hilly when back at the cars rounded the day off very nicely.

Survey Result:

Corndon

  

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

Summit Grid Reference:  SO 30599 96922

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 1st summit survey of Corndon and the survey of Lan Fawr

For details on the bwlch survey of Corndon

For details on the 2nd visit to Lan Fawr

For details on the 3rd visit to Corndon and 4th visit to Lan Fawr

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet

Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Y Berwyn

Carole Engel Completes the Welsh Humps

24.11.18  Pen y Boncyn Trefeilw (SH 962 283, previously Trimbled), Stac Rhos (SH 969 279, previously Trimbled), Foel Cedig (SH 981 283, previously Trimbled) and Y Groes Fagl (SH 988 289, previously Trimbled)

With the hill meet organised by Alex Cameron at the old Workhouse on the outskirts of Llanfyllin being so close to the Y Berwyn it gave an opportunity for a number of people to visit Foel Cedig, whose qualifying summit for a number of lists, including the Marilyns, Humps, Simms, Hewitts, Pellennig, Yr Uchafion and Nuttalls was earlier this year relocated from Cyrniau Nod.

As a part of this Carole Engel had decided to postpone her Welsh Hump completion for a week and re-scheduled this to coincide with the hill meet.  By doing so there was a prospect of being joined on top of Foel Cedig by a number of other baggers, but with many different agendas and with people approaching this hill from different directions and starting their ascents at different times, it would be interesting to see how many gathered at this summit when Carole was having her celebration.

Having attended the Friday evening meal at the Workhouse I drove back home in wet conditions through mist and thick fog and wondered if the weather gods were to put a dampener on proceedings for the following day.  Thankfully although the weather was grey and murky, the rain resisted temptation and the tops were clear of low clag.

I met Alan Caine at the Workhouse just before 9.00am and we drove in two cars to the car park at the north end of Llyn Efyrnwy (Lake Vyrnwy) where Carole, and Jeff and Enid Parr were already waiting.  It was good to see all three, and this is one of the joys of occasionally dipping in to the community of hill baggers as friends have been made and will be kept, and all three; Carole, Jeff and Enid are people who I look forward to meeting up with time and again.

Having donned my winter wellies I then drove the five of us to the top of Cwm Hirnant and parked opposite the gauged out track that leads toward the summit of Foel Cedig.  This track eases passage to these heather clad hills, and if not for it the task of bagging these hills would be a daunting one.

On our way to Foel Cedig we visited the summits of Pen y Boncyn Trefeilw and Stac Rhos, which were later in the day surveyed by Alan Dawson with his Leica RX1250.  To our east the grey morning clag was just grasping on to the upper part of Foel Cedig, but this would lift as the morning progressed.

Carole with Foel Cedig in the background

During our journey on the track beside the moorland Alan Caine zoomed off in to the heather and bog to bag any summit going, with Bridges and one or two ‘Deleted Tops’ in the Nuttalls book all being fair game.

Approaching Foel Cedig Carole led the way through the heather as I tried to keep up with a digi-camcorder in hand, she reached the top and completed the Welsh Humps and immediately set about logging her ascent online, which made me smile.  One quick wind-blown interview later and the bottles were opened and cake passed round.

As we arrived at the summit Denise and Richard McLellan were just about to leave, they turned back and remained with us as more and more people started to appear from different directions.  Richard’s ascent of Foel Cedig was also of significance as he was re-completing the Marilyns and him and Carole sat centre stage on the little rocky knoll that makes up the high point as everyone else gathered around for the customary summit photograph.

Richard's re-completion of the Marilyns on top of Foel Cedig

The walk back on the track was enjoyable and we reached my car 4½ hours after setting off.  It was good to see Carole, Jeff and Enid again and many others who were on the summit of Foel Cedig and also at the Workhouse, and thanks to Alex for organising the hill meet and Carole’s invitation to join her on her special day of celebration in completing the Welsh Humps.

Celebratory gathering at the summit of Foel Cedig

 

 

Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Arenig Fach

06.11.16  Arenig Fach (SH 820 415)    

Arenig Fach (SH 820 415)

Today Steve Smith completed the Nuttalls; the 2,000ft mountains of both England and Wales.  He had chosen Arenig Fach as his final hill having dashed toward completion during the settled weather of October.

We met at the car park on the western shore of Llyn Celyn between Y Bala and Trawsfynydd.  As I drove west over Y Berwyn the sky darkened a forbidding slate grey giving wintry showers over the hills, with the land to the north swamped in rain cloud, whilst the land west and south still had a relatively high cloud base showing the signs of the first snows of the season on the higher summits.

Pulling in to the car park I watched a Buzzard sitting on a large rock only a few metres away, I donned full wet proofs as the prospect of the ascent being dry was rapidly disappearing and by the time I’d sorted my gear the rain had started.  I took shelter in my car as Tony arrived, closely followed by Adrian and Ayako.  By the time Steve arrived with Gina, Josie and Simon a number of people were ready to set off hoping to get a reasonable start over the quicker people in the group.

Gathering in the car park for Steve's final Nuttall

We followed a graveled track from the roadside that soon merged in to a vehicle track on the moor and then a path of sorts continued toward the fence line on the eastern broad ridge of Arenig Fach.

Heading toward Arenig Fach with Mynydd Nodol in the background

(L-R) Simon, Josie, Ayako, Adrian and Gina

By now the weather had closed in with squally showers submerging the land, a sleet grey scene emerged as we headed toward a ladder stile where the main part of the group waited for the others to join them.  I took advantage and slowly plodded onward and upward following the fence line as the rain chilled to sleet and then wet snow.  I rarely go out in such conditions as I am fortunate and can pick my days on the hill, but I found the weather to be invigorating as the wind blew and the land became chilled in its early winter’s grip.

By the time the gradient lessened some of the others had caught up, I headed toward the small cairn east of the recognised summit hoping to get a data set from the high point of the land beside it.  By now it was cold and although I had two sets of gloves on my fingers were chilled from the incessant wet weather.  I quickly took a five minute data set and aimed toward the trig pillar where Steve had just arrived.

Gathering the first data set on the summit area of Arenig Fach

Arriving at the trig everyone was taking shelter behind the large wind shelter at the summit, photos were taken, handshakes had and congratulations given, but the weather dictated that we couldn’t stay here too long and the celebratory cake would have to wait until back at the cars.

Steve Smith completes the Nuttalls atop Arenig Fach

Before everyone left I had chance to gather another five minute data set on top of a rock which was about five metres from the trig pillar, but another larger erratic also vied for the high point of the hill, and as the group wisely left the summit and disappeared from view in to the thickness of murk to head down I positioned the Trimble for a third data set.  Jon Glew kindly waited with me, and once five minutes of data were gathered I packed the equipment away and followed Jon in to the murk to find the descent route.

Gathering the second data set on the summit area of Arenig Fach

Gathering the third data set on the summit area of Arenig Fach

My fingers were now wet and chilled, but it was a cold that was not unwelcome, one that was manageable, and as we quickly lost height the severity of the chill lessened and the wet snow turned itself back to the customary rain, which then lessened still as we joined the path and vehicle track back to the road.

We gathered beside Steve’s camper van for cake and drinks and tried to shelter as best we could as another squally shower sped across the land.  It had been another excellent day on the hill which proved somewhat cold but also rejuvenated my pleasure with the higher of the Welsh hills and many congratulations to Steve for a fine achievement in completing the 2,000ft Nuttalls.

 

Survey Result:

Arenig Fach

Summit Height:  688.9m (converted to OSGM15)

Summit Grid Reference:  SH 82020 41583

Bwlch Height:  390.6m (converted to OSGM15, from subsequent Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SH 78593 38716 (from subsequent Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Drop:  298.3m

Dominance:  43.30%

For details on the bwlch survey of this hill

For further details please consult the Trimble survey spreadsheet

Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Pumlumon

05.11.16  Drosgol (SN 717 885)    

Drosgol (SN 717 885)

Drosgol is an unassuming little hill that is situated amongst the eastern lands of the Pumlumon range.  These lands descend west to fertile grazing fields before towns are encountered and the natural barrier of the sea.  These hills can portray a remote and slightly wild persona where meeting another person on them is somewhat of a rarity, they are all the better for it.

Today’s walk was a special occasion as Rob Woodall had chosen Drosgol as his last 300m P30 in the whole of Wales and England with their respective totals being 1332 and 1130.  In old money these can be considered the 1,000ft hills.

The meeting point was arranged to the south-west of the hill, at the end of a narrow paved lane that confidently aimed due east from the confines of Tal-y-bont, where adequate parking was found on a gravelled area adjacent to a disused mine.  When I arrived Adrian Dust was waiting beside his car, he’d already visited a number of hills earlier in the day and had his sights set on Moel Golomen; a 317m map heighted hill on the ridge to the south of the Afon Cyneiniog.

The upper reaches of the Cyneiniog valley with Moel Golomen in the background

We chatted for a while before Adrian set off, I then took shelter in my car as a brisk shower sped south across the hills.  Once the rain had stopped I set off down the continuation of the narrow lane to a green path that climbed steadily toward the summit of Drosgol.  I’d set off an hour before the meeting time of 3.00pm as my right knee was still proving problematic and I also wanted to survey the hill’s bwlch and its summit before everyone reached the top.

As I gained height I found a sheep track contouring round the western side of the hill toward the bwlch which nestled between Drosgol and its higher neighbour; the Sub-Pedwar of Llechwedd Cwm Byr.  Arriving at the bwlch I positioned the Trimble on top of my rucksack to give it elevation above its immediate surrounds, measured a 0.45m offset between its internal antenna and the ground at its base and proceeded to gather five minutes of data.  Except for an occasional flurry of wind, all was quiet and undisturbed.

Looking toward the critical bwlch of Drosgol

After packing the equipment away I slowly plodded up to the summit and took two data sets, with the second being at the top of an attractive rock bluff.  As the Trimble gathered its customary five minutes of data the sun burst through the thickened grey blue sky giving depth to the landscape, the near forestry radiated its autumnal colours as delicate yellows merged with those of orange as the predominant greens flanked their surrounds.

Gathering data at the critical bwlch of Drosgol

The wooded colours of autumn

Gathering data at the summit of Drosgol

Once the surveys for the day were complete I had a bite to eat and waited on a rocky hummock and watched as small figures emerged on the upper ridge, all heading toward the summit.  Alex was first to arrive with Adrian and Jon, closely followed by Matthew and Rob.

Heading for the summit

The next half hour or so gave us magical light as the late afternoon sparkled.  Once everyone had arrived Rob headed toward the summit and stood on top, another fine achievement completed amongst many that he has done.

Adrian admiring the view

Rob heading for the summit

Whiskey and cake were passed round as we stood on top and basked in the late afternoon sunshine.  Photos were taken and a few minutes of video.  These celebrations are special events, shared amongst good hill walking friends who gather in appreciation of a person’s determination and enthusiasm to finish a list of hills.

Rob and friends on the summit of Drosgol

Rob on the summit of Drosgol having completed the Welsh 300m P30s

As the sun ebbed behind a large bulbous cloud out to the west we headed back to the valley and the awaiting cars, I slowly made my way down at the rear trying to protect my knee and stopped on occasion to photograph and admire the delicate sun burst and cloudscape forming out to the west, a beautiful scene to end the day.  

A beautiful cloudscape to end the day

    

Survey Result:

Drosgol

Summit Height:  367.6m (converted to OSGM15)

Summit Grid Reference:  SN 71769 88547 

Bwlch Height:  326.2m (converted to OSGM15)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SN 71621 88808

Drop:  41.4m

Dominance:  11.26%

For further details please consult the Trimble survey spreadsheet