Sugar Loaf Mountain Trigpoint

Posted by Philip (South Wales, United Kingdom) on 3 November 2009 in Landscape & Rural and Portfolio.

The trigpoint on Sugar Loaf Mountain.

Trigpoints are the common name for "triangulation pillars". These are concrete pillars, about 4' tall, which were used by the Ordnance Survey in order to determine the exact shape of the country. They are generally located on the highest bit of ground in the area, so that there is a direct line of sight from one to the next. By sitting a theodolite (an accurate compass built into a telescope) on the top of the pillar, accurate bearings to nearby trigpoints could be taken. This process is called "triangulation".

A major project to map out the shape of Great Britain began in 1936. The network of triangulation pillars, with accurately known positions, led to the OS maps which we use today.

Sugar Loaf Mountain is one of the summit peaks of the Black Mountains, its height is 598 metres and the view from the summit covers the Black Mountains and reaches as far as the Brecon Beacons to the west and the Bristol Channel to the south. All were visible on the day.

I could not begin to describe the views from the peak. Unfortunately, I could not stay long - duty called. We had a reservation at the nearby Hardwick Pub restuarant run by Stephen Terry. Wonderful Lunch. Tough Life.

Any tips or constructive criticism are welcome.

I appreciate all your comments, thank you so much. I do read all the comments and will try to answer any questions you have.

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Comments (6)

Michael from Shell village, United Kingdom

That's a great view from up there, this shot gives a good impression.

3 Nov 2009 8:43am

@Michael: The peak's not that big but the trigpoint does give some perspective with the surrounding hills/mountains.

MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany

Magnificent view! And what a fine reminder of the early days of engineering!

3 Nov 2009 12:41pm

@MadScientist: Reminder of a bygone age. I came across a web site (http://www.trigpointinguk.com/) that allows you to map all the trigpoints you have come across - a bit to much like train spotting for me - but interesting nevertheless.

Anthony Morgan Lambert from Bielefeld, Germany

This is brilliant mate.Crackingly sharp and very well composed.I did a 2 year course in building and civil engineering studies when I was a lad and spent a lot of time with my nose in ordinance survey maps,which all helped when it came to map reading in the Army a little later in life.Good old "Trig points" !!!

3 Nov 2009 2:41pm

@Anthony Morgan Lambert: Thanks. My brother-in-law used to work for a surveying firm. He was very used to trigpoints. I understand he spent over a month in the lake district surveying them for maps - lucky him. I only came across them a few years ago - Geography 'O'-level was sadly lacking in this sort of detail - too busy doing ox-bow lakes and glacial erosion!!!!

LESLIE from norwich, United Kingdom

WOW - STUNNING - perfect landscape. ( are you sure you are not Charlie Waite )

3 Nov 2009 7:04pm

@LESLIE: I wish! Just looked at some of the photos on his website (http://www.charliewaite.com/gallery.asp). Not bad is he? Perhaps he should give this site a go....