Thursday, December 06, 2007

The Terrors of Trigpointing – a sign of our Times ?

Whilst out on a walk recently I was made aware of a pursuit in which apparently many lovers of the outdoors are engaged in. I thought I would share this with you as it appeals to those of a ‘bagging’ disposition. By going to the website trigpointinguk.com you can find a wealth of information and search for your very own trigpoint by entering your month and year of birth prefaced by a TP. The search for me and Ian turned up the following not very exciting trigpoints Ian’s being a Berntsen (I’m sure our editor will tell us what exactly this is). Suffolk seems a long way, no matter how appealing a Bernsten is. However, you have the possibility of your trigpoint being for instance on the Cuillin ridge or even Hordern Stoops for anyone born in January 1942! One friend found that her trigpoint was located in Wolverhampton (yes – it could be that disappointing) and being in the vicinity on a barge trip (don’t ask) had a jog over to make its acquaintance.

There are three trigpoints listed in Horwich and the next time we’re at Hordern Stoops, I for one will be looking out for the surface block – good to know they’re all in good nick. As we’re looking for a route for Saturday how about incorporating a visit to all three as part of our outing?

Another in the long list of endless trivia that the internet makes so possible.

NLN

Pauline, thank you for this. As we trig point aficionados are well aware, a Bernsten is a trig point without a pillar. It takes the form of a similar installation to that fitted to the top of the more familiar pillars, but sunk into the ground and covered by a stainless steel cap. Because of its form the locating of a Bernsten is generally seen as something of an achievement. Our next task must of course be to find the nearest one to Winter Hill. The name Bernsten seems to derive from a 19th century trigonomotrist of that name.

Pauline also provided some tabular trig info, but I couldn't transfer it to the blog.

Ed.



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