Tryfan mountain to be re-measured in June

Mar 18 2010 by Samantha Castle, North Wales Weekly News

A MOUNTAIN in Snowdonia is to be re-measured – and could lose its elite status as a Welsh summit.

Modern technology will check whether Tryfan in the Ogwen Valley is actually 915m, or 3,002ft, as it currently appears on the map.

The mountain is listed as one of the elite group of 14 peaks in Wales more than 3,000ft high.

The Snowdonia Society said Tryfan was still a wonderful summit no matter how high it is.

John Barnard, from Mold, is involved in the re-measuring, and said there was a three metre margin of error on current maps.

“With modern technology we can measure things within a centimetre of accuracy,” he said.

“We are going to use a positioning system on the summit to collect data and that information will be processed through a computer,” he added.

“The mountain will still be there whether it's 2,999ft or 3,000ft. It'll make no difference, it is still an iconic mountain, although it might come off a certain list,” he added.

Alun Pugh, director of the Snowdonia Society, said Tryfan had inspired generations of landscape artists as well as mountaineers.

He added that for nearly a century people had done the 14 peaks, making it one of the mountaineering challenges of Wales.

“If it turned out Tryfan was not as high then maybe that route would have to change,” he added.

Whatever the outcome, he said climbers would still enjoy Tryfan's challenges.

“I think we'd all still enjoy scrambling along its north ridge, or climbing on the east face, or walking up the south ridge to the wonderful summit,” he said.

“It’s a wonderful mountain with some fantastic views, that won’t change. It has a special place in the heart of anyone who enjoys climbing mountains in Wales.”

The mountain will be re-measured in June.